Technology's archangel.(investments of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen)(Brief Article)

Economist (US), The, November, 1997

Paul Allen likes to invest in young, high-tech companies. But can you have a hobby worth $17 billion?

IN THE past two decades, the personal computer has created untold wealth. Much of it fell into the laps of the young engineers and programmers whose firms were taken over or became darlings of the stockmarket. But as they have become ever more successful, many of these young Turks have felt their blood cool. They may be as rich as Croesus, but they are stuck in the boardroom of a big company, rather than huddling around the coffee machine of a small one. The thrill is gone.

The greatest of these silicon zillionaires is Paul Allen. Mr Allen made two excellent decisions early in life: in high school he befriended a geeky kid named Bill Gates, and a few years...

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