Firsthand Capital Management

Firsthand Capital Management, Inc. is an employee-owned investment manager based in San Jose, California, founded in 1994. As a business development company, it serves institutional investors, high net-worth individuals, and fund sponsors by launching and managing equity mutual funds. The firm employs fundamental analysis and a combination of bottom-up and top-down stock picking to build its portfolio, focusing on investments in startups, late-stage companies, and entities undergoing bankruptcy or reorganization. Firsthand Capital primarily invests in private technology and cleantech sectors, targeting companies with defensible intellectual property rights, including those in renewable energy, telecommunications, and advanced materials. The firm typically invests between $1 million and $10 million in its portfolio companies, structuring its investments in various forms such as preferred stock, convertible debt, and high-yield bonds. Firsthand Capital aims to exert influence over its investee companies by seeking board representation and plans to exit investments through strategic acquisitions or public offerings.

Kevin Landis

Founder and Chief Investment Officer

13 past transactions

Sprout

Seed Round in 2022
Developer of cloud-based, automated stakeholder management software tailored to help companies manage their related stakeholder information. The company's platform creates, track and transact private company securities and stock options and analyze investor term sheets with easy to use professional tools, enabling companies to efficiently manage cap table, ESOP and convertibles and partner with advisors, company secretaries, and investors.

SoloPower

Series B in 2007
SoloPower Systems, Inc. is a photovoltaic technology company based in Portland, Oregon, that designs, manufactures, and deploys thin-film solar cells and modules utilizing copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). The company specializes in ultra-lightweight products aimed at large-scale commercial, government, and municipal rooftops. Its offerings include various models of the SoloPanel, optimized for different applications, and additional products such as roof panels and waterproofing membranes. SoloPower focuses on providing solar solutions that are cost-competitive with traditional energy sources, utilizing innovative electroplating technology to enhance efficiency and reduce production costs. The company serves a diverse clientele, including developers, independent power producers, and engineering firms, with operations extending across the United States and several international markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Founded in 2005, SoloPower aims to revolutionize solar energy generation with its advanced photovoltaic technologies.

Solaicx

Series C in 2007
Solaicx, manufactures and sells mono-crystalline silicon ingots and wafers. It serves solar cell and module manufacturers in the photovoltaic industry. Solaicx, was founded in 2002 and is based in Santa Clara, California with a production facility in Portland, Oregon.

SoloPower

Venture Round in 2007
SoloPower Systems, Inc. is a photovoltaic technology company based in Portland, Oregon, that designs, manufactures, and deploys thin-film solar cells and modules utilizing copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). The company specializes in ultra-lightweight products aimed at large-scale commercial, government, and municipal rooftops. Its offerings include various models of the SoloPanel, optimized for different applications, and additional products such as roof panels and waterproofing membranes. SoloPower focuses on providing solar solutions that are cost-competitive with traditional energy sources, utilizing innovative electroplating technology to enhance efficiency and reduce production costs. The company serves a diverse clientele, including developers, independent power producers, and engineering firms, with operations extending across the United States and several international markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Founded in 2005, SoloPower aims to revolutionize solar energy generation with its advanced photovoltaic technologies.

Global Locate

Series E in 2006
Global Locate offers semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. It provides GPS chips, software, and network services. The company's semiconductor solutions bring GPS technology to the mobile wireless devices, including handsets, smartphones, PDAs, and other wireless devices. It offers IndoorGPS Driver Software that runs on the handset or mobile wireless device host processor to provide interfaces to the wireless network, handle assistance data, manage chip communications and control, and provide the location APIs for application development. Global Locate, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in San Jose, California with offices in New Jersey; Tokyo, Japan; and Madrid, Spain. As of July 12, 2007, Global Locate, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Broadcom Corp.

Silicon Optix

Series B in 2004
Silicon Optix is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in video and image digital processing circuits. The firm is recognized for its innovative eWARP technology, which provides digital distortion correction, enabling manufacturers to enhance optical systems with advanced electronic imaging capabilities. This technology not only simplifies complex optical designs but also helps reduce costs while adding new features to products. Silicon Optix has developed notable integrated circuit solutions, including the Realta system-on-chip, which sets a benchmark for video quality, the Reon chip for mainstream video processing in Hollywood films and broadcast television, and the Geo chip that enables precise brightness control in rear-projection televisions. With over seven years of dedicated research and development in integrated circuit and system design, Silicon Optix has established itself as a leader in the field, poised to capitalize on significant market opportunities.

NanoMuscle

Series C in 2003
NanoMuscle is a privately held company that designs and manufactures advanced motion technologies for use in a wide range of consumer devices. With their low cost, small size and silent operation, NanoMuscle products displace conventional electromagnetic motors and solenoids and for the first time provide miniature, affordable motion.

Authentec

Series C in 2003
Authentec is a provider of mobile and network security solutions focused on protecting individuals and organizations. The company specializes in encryption technology, fingerprint sensors, and identity management software, which enhance secure networking, content and data protection, and access control. Authentec's products are widely deployed by leading mobile device manufacturers, networking and computing companies, content providers, and government entities worldwide. With a strong presence in the market, Authentec has delivered over 100 million fingerprint sensors integrated into various portable electronics, including more than 15 million mobile phones. Established in 1998 in Melbourne, Florida, after being spun off from Harris Semiconductor, the company has built a reputation for its innovative security technologies and strong partnerships with top-tier customers across multiple industries.

Polaris Networks

Series B in 2002
Polaris Networks specializes in the development of optical transport switching systems aimed at enhancing communication within metro core networks. The company offers a diverse array of products, including test tools and communication gateways that feature functional and load testers, as well as simulation tools for LTE access and packet core. These offerings are designed to serve network equipment manufacturers, service providers, and test labs, providing them with essential resources for effective communication and network performance testing.

Global Locate

Series A in 2001
Global Locate offers semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. It provides GPS chips, software, and network services. The company's semiconductor solutions bring GPS technology to the mobile wireless devices, including handsets, smartphones, PDAs, and other wireless devices. It offers IndoorGPS Driver Software that runs on the handset or mobile wireless device host processor to provide interfaces to the wireless network, handle assistance data, manage chip communications and control, and provide the location APIs for application development. Global Locate, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in San Jose, California with offices in New Jersey; Tokyo, Japan; and Madrid, Spain. As of July 12, 2007, Global Locate, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Broadcom Corp.

Celox Networks

Series C in 2001
Celox Networks, Inc. manufactures Internet protocol switches. The company’s SCx 192 is an Internet protocol service creation switch, which provides tools to create new revenue-generating services over existing access connections, such as traffic prioritization, traffic shaping and bandwidth management, and security across a shared Internet protocol infrastructure, as well as service level agreement performance verifications.

Luminous Networks

Series D in 2001
Luminous Networks, Inc. manufactures access network equipment for services providers to deliver shared Ethernet services.

Centerpoint Properties

Venture Round in 2000
Centerpoint Properties is a real estate services firm specializing in industrial property and logistics. Based in San Jose, California, the company focuses on addressing the complex needs of organizations that require transportation-advantaged properties. Centerpoint leverages its expertise to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its clients' operations, providing tailored solutions that support their logistical and infrastructural requirements. The firm is dedicated to helping businesses optimize their industrial real estate investments, ensuring they can adapt to the evolving demands of the market.
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