Comcast Ventures, the VC arm of Comcast, said it has tapped Kai Bond as principal to lead Comcast Ventures Catalyst Fund, a $20 million fund established in 2011 as part of Comcast’s acquisition of NBCU that’s focused on investing in early stage technology startups led by minority entrepreneurs.
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Bond will be based out of New York and focus on investing in early-stage startups in NYC and other startups led by minority entrepreneurs across the country, Comcast Ventures said.
Bond previously served as the general manager of Samsung Accelerator, and was the founder of pixietv, a smart TV app acquired by Samsung, which led to Bond’s later role as director working on Samsung Extra, an interactive TV application. Bond also founded two gaming companies -- CashPlay Games and SwitchGames – and served as general manager at Hatch Labs, and worked in product, M&A, and strategy roles at IAC, Microsoft, and Gerson Lehrman Group.
Bond also serves as a mentor at Defy Ventures and Techstars. He earned his B.A. in international relations from Wesleyan University.
“I am delighted to welcome Kai Bond to Comcast Ventures Catalyst Fund,” Amy Banse, managing director and head of funds for Comcast Ventures, said in a statement. “His network, operational expertise and product knowledge will be an excellent addition to our team, helping us identify new types of investments for the growing Catalyst Fund.”
“Comcast Ventures Catalyst Fund’s mission of identifying and funding typically underrepresented groups is a strategy I’m excited to get behind,” Bond added. “I look forward to working with the existing portfolio as well as making new investments in 2017. As Comcast Ventures continues to expand its NYC footprint for seed deals, I am thrilled to work with entrepreneurs in this ecosystem.”
