Mark Chess is a managing director who helped establish the FBR Infinity II Fund in 2001 and the world's first foreign currency fund in China in 2005 (Infinity-CSVC). Mr. Chess helped lead the strategy and development of the Infinity I-China fund in 2007. Mark manages Infinity’s strategic relationships with institutions in the United States including the Infinity-NSF portfolio. Mr. Chess co-led investments and exits in Native Networks (Alcatel – NYSE: ALU), Identify Software (BMC Software) and Cosmocom (Enghouse Systems - TSX: ESL).
Since 2010, Mark has focused on investments in the sustainable agriculture and energy sector. He led Infinity's investments and board representation in Futuaragene (AIM: FGN –acquired by Suzano for $90m), Kaiima Bio-Agritech, and Glori Energy (Nasdaq: GLRI). Mr. Chess initiated and managed Infinity Cross Border Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: INXB) and orchestrated the successful $185m merger with Glori Energy. Prior to Infinity, Mark was a director with Partners500, leading the company’s international business development. Mark graduated with a degree in Business Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
In the philanthropic community, Mr. Chess is previous Chairman of The Presentense Group and the Israel Venture Network's microfinance program. He currently leads the LEG-UP Microfinance Fund.