Klaus Hommels

Klaus Hommels is a venture capitalist based in Zurich, Switzerland. He focuses on seed and early-stage investments and has founded his own venture capital fund by the name Hommels Holding through which he has been investing mainly in Internet businesses. He has been involved in successful internet investments such as Skype, Facebook and Xing.[1] [2]

He studied for a Master of Science in Business Administration and PhD in Finance at the University of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland. He worked as Managing Director in business development, content and advertising for AOL Germany (1995–1999). After that he started at Apax Partners in Munich as a Director (1999–2000). At the height of the dotcom bubble burst he started out as a private investor. In 2006, after six years as a private investor, Klaus joined Benchmark Capital (now Balderton Capital) as a Venture Partner in London. In 2007, he founded Hommels Holding which focuses mainly on internet businesses.[3] [4]

Investments

Klaus Hommels has made early stage investments in some very successful internet businesses. His successful investments included Skype (acquired by MSFT for USD 4.1 billion), Xing (IPO in 2006), QXL.com (acquired by Naspers Group) and Adjug (sold to Hubert Burda Media). His current investments include Facebook, King.com, Stardoll, Woo Media, Klarna and Spotify.[5] [6]

Honors

Klaus Hommels was elected as Europe’s most successful Entrepreneurial Private Investor in 2006 by the leading European business schools IESE, INSEAD, and the University of St. Gallen.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Spotify appoints Klaus Hommels to Board of Directors By Spotify Press Release, 21/09/2009, Spotify.com
  2. ↑ Spotify eyeing stock-exchange listing The Swedish Wire, 21/09/2009, swedishwire.com
  3. ↑ KLAUS HOMMELS JOINS BENCHMARK CAPITAL EUROPE AS VENTURE PARTNER By Benchmark Capital Europe, 05/06/2006, Benchmark press release
  4. ↑ Klaus Hommels: The Midas King of Entrepreneurs By IESE INSIGHT, 2007
  5. ↑ Spotify appoints Klaus Hommels to Board of Directors By Spotify Press Release, 21/09/2009, Spotify.com
  6. ↑ SEin junger Veteran By Handelsblatt GmbH, 04/09/2006, Handelsblatt.com
  7. ↑ "Giving ideas wings". The Economist. 14 September 2006.
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