Where does Kai Buehler work?

Kai Buehler is Investor at World Fund.

What check size does Kai Buehler write?

Kai Buehler typically writes checks of $50K – $500K.

Where did Kai Buehler go to school?

Kai Buehler studied at University of Cologne (Law); Paderborn University (MBA/PH.D., Business Adminstration); The University of Hong Kong (International Business).

Kai Buehler

Investor

Investor at World Fund

Cologne

Writes $50K – $500K checks · typically $100K

Find your path to Kai

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Ask Claire Newstead-Sinclair to introduce you to Kai

You →Claire · together at MindMatics (merged with mms) (2006–2010) →Kai

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You →Jamie · 3 people · together at Quake Capital →Kai

Ask Sam Okafor to introduce you to Kai

You →Sam · 3 people · together at Honey (joinhoney.com, acquired by PayPal) →Kai

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About

Kai Buehler is co-founder of ZALUD, a citrus sake aperitivo produced with organic Spanish rice and Mallorca botanicals, and holds WSET Level 3 Award in Sake and Certified Sake Professional credentials. He is an active early-stage investor in technology, health-focused, and climate startups with over 30 investments, including Honey (acquired by PayPal for $4 billion in 2020). Buehler previously co-founded plan_b media, which was acquired by a T-Mobile Venture in 2005, and founded Watchpoints, sold to Viggle in 2011, among other ventures; he also served as a professor of digital entrepreneurship at RFH University of Applied Sciences in Cologne from 2016 to 2024 and holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Paderborn and University of Hong Kong.

Experience

ZALUDCo-Foundercurrent2025 — presentSpain
World FundFounding Investor & Advisorcurrent2021 — presentCologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
KB VenturesBusiness Angel & Seed Investorcurrent2011 — presentLos Angeles, Germany, Mallorca
Rheinische Fachhochschule KölnProfessor of Digital Entrepreneurship & Startup Management2016 — 2024Cologne Bonn Region
KARMAKARMAFounder & CEO2012 — 2024Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
NRW.INVESTRepresentative of the German State of NRW in California2019 — 2021Los Angeles, California, United States
Honey (joinhoney.com, acquired by PayPal)First Outside Investor&Advisor2013 — 2021Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Quake Capital PartnersCo-Founder 5G Accelerator & Venture Partner2019 — 2020Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Viggle Inc. (acquired by perk)SVP and GM2011 — 2012Los Angeles, New York
mms - mobile messaging solutions (acquired by Viggle)CEO2010 — 2011Los Angeles, Boston
MindMatics (merged with mms)CEO North America2006 — 2010Los Angeles, New York
plan_b media (acquired by mopay, now boku)CEO and Co-founder2000 — 2006Cologne Bonn Region
Droege GroupSenior Management Consultant1999 — 2000Greater Dusseldorf Area
Siemens TaiwanBusiness Manager1998 — 1999Taipei City, Taipei City, Taiwan

Skills & more

SakéEntrepreneurship99Start-ups64Venture Capital25Mobile Devices94Mobile Applications74Mobile Marketing47Digital Media33Social Media Marketing25Digital Marketing23Digital Strategy15Online Advertising15

+12 more

Mobile TechnologyProduct ManagementOnline MarketingE-commerceMobile AdvertisingTelevisionStrategySocial MediaLeadershipInvestmentsClimate ChangeStrategic Partnerships

Certified Sake Professional — Sake Education Council
WSET Level 3 Award in Sake (Distinction) — WSET School

From Kai's professional profile.

Colleagues at World Fund

Andreas Slettvoll

Venture Partner at World Fund

Cara Reuner

Investment Associate at World Fund

Chloe Le

Junior Fund Controller at World Fund

Christian Kroll

Venture Partner at World Fund

Craig Douglas

Partner at World Fund

Daniel Valenzuela

Venture Partner at World Fund

Danijel Višević

Managing Partner at World Fund

Daria Saharova

Managing Partner at World Fund

Network3

Craig DouglasScout

Partner at World Fund

Danijel ViševićScout

Managing Partner at World Fund

Daria SaharovaScout

Managing Partner at World Fund

Investors connected to Kai in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kai Buehler?: Kai Buehler is co-founder of ZALUD, a citrus sake aperitivo produced with organic Spanish rice and Mallorca botanicals, and holds WSET Level 3 Award in Sake and Certified Sake Professional credentials. He is an active early-stage investor in technology, health-focused, and climate startups with over 30 investments, including Honey (acquired by PayPal for $4 billion in 2020). Buehler previously co-founded plan_b media, which was acquired by a T-Mobile Venture in 2005, and founded Watchpoints, sold to Viggle in 2011, among other ventures; he also served as a professor of digital entrepreneurship at RFH University of Applied Sciences in Cologne from 2016 to 2024 and holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Paderborn and University of Hong Kong.
Where does Kai Buehler work?: Kai Buehler is Investor at World Fund.
What check size does Kai Buehler write?: Kai Buehler typically writes checks of $50K – $500K.
Where did Kai Buehler go to school?: Kai Buehler studied at University of Cologne (Law); Paderborn University (MBA/PH.D., Business Adminstration); The University of Hong Kong (International Business).