Kai Bond
Partner, Courtside Ventures at Courtside Ventures
Kai Bond
Partner, Courtside Ventures at Courtside Ventures
New York, New York
Overview
Work Experience
Partner, Courtside Ventures
2019 - Current
Courtside Ventures is an early-stage fund focused on sports, gaming, and lifestyle. Fund Investments: StockX | The Athletic (acq by NYTimes) | Hypothetic | WinZO | FanCraze | Mountaintop | Eloelo | Smile Identity | Beam (acq by MSFT) | Jackpot | Rei do Pitaco | Betty Games | Jump | Signos | Veo | Fliff | Matchday | Draftea | Bezel | Camb
Investor
2016 - 2019
Head of Catalyst Fund: Lead investments for Catalyst Fund, a seed fund that invests in underrepresented founders. http://cvcatalyst.com/ Principal - Comcast Ventures: sports, esports and gaming. http://www.comcastventures.com/ Investments: Kite & Lightning, Players Lounge, ROSS Intelligence, Oui Shave, Upcomer, LUS Brands, Hawthorne, Blavity Mentor / Advisor Roles: Techstars, Rough Draft Ventures, Dorm Room Fund, Scrum VC, Village Capital, NationSwell, Patricelli Center For Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA), LIFT Labs, Defy Ventures, Sports Tech Tokyo Guest Lecturer: Wesleyan University & Stanford GSB
General Manager
2015 - 2016
Kai is currently the GM for the Samsung Accelerator. The Samsung Accelerator is committed to funding and working with start ups to create breakout products. We provide funding, office space, finance, operations, HR, legal, launch support, business development, and advisory services to assist entrepreneurs in fulfilling their vision. We are currently focused on investing, co-founding, mentoring, and supporting great entrepreneurs. Our investments cover a broad range of applications and services - but primarily related to companies dedicated to Internet of Things, Virtual Reality, Smart TV, Wearables, and Consumer Mobile Apps.
Director
2014 - 2015
Working on Samsung Extra - an interactive TV application that provides enhanced sports, social, entertainment, and news on Samsung Smart TV's during live TV. Responsible for ideation, design, product management, and business development. http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/13/9147201/samsung-startups-global-innovation-center-gic-david-eun
Founder
2013 - 2014
Pixie was acquired by Samsung's Smart TV Division in August of 2014. Pixie Is A Smart TV App Delivering Custom Social Streams, Content, and Entertainment Experiences For Your Smart TV. https://www.pixietv.com/
Founder
2011 - 2013
CashPlay was a casual game studio and advertising platform which combined the fun of chance based games with sweepstakes to provide consumers the opportunity to win real cash and prizes.
General Manager
2011 - 2013
Hatch Labs is an incubator for mobile apps. During my time at Hatch, I was founder of CashPlay Games - a free to play mobile game platform that combined the fun of casual games and the thrill of winning real cash. Our sweepstakes engine created a simulated gambling experience which enabled gamers to earn cash and prizes while playing chance based casino games.
Co-Founder
2008 - 2011
SwitchGames® is The Gamers Marketplace™. Our mission is to create an online community for gamers where members can safely trade games, consoles, and accessories with one another for free.
Sr. Director, Strategy and M&A
2007 - 2008
IAC is an internet conglomerate that owns and operates over 35+ internet brands. While at IAC, I worked on a small incubation and strategic planning team that developed emerging businesses, products, and provided due diligence on M&A opportunities at IAC HQ.
Director, Business Development
2006 - 2007
Rave Wireless is a University-focused application that connects universities and students to critical information from mobile phones. Rave provides a platform and suite of applications that enable information, communication, and social networking via the wireless device. As Director of Business Development at Rave, I was responsible for building new relationships with Carriers, OEMs, and New Media Companies
Education
BA
1997 - 2001