Pioneer: Jan Henric Buettner

Pioneer in Mobile Technology, Internet, Venture Capital, Luxury Hospitality, and Chess

Jan Henric Buettner (born September 1964) is a visionary entrepreneur and leader in mobile technology, the internet, venture capital, luxury hospitality, and chess. Over the years, he has lived in Hamburg, New York, Santa Barbara/California, Weissenhaus, and now primarily resides in Wilderness, South Africa.

Mobile Technology & Internet Innovation

In 1989, Jan played a pivotal role in Axel Springer Verlag’s bid for the D2 mobile license, contributing to the introduction of private mobile telephony in Germany. In 1992, he founded the world’s first multimedia online service, which later led to the creation of AOL Europe in 1995. In 2000, Bertelsmann and Buettner sold their stakes in AOL for $10 billion.

Venture Capital & Silicon Valley

In 1998, Jan moved to California and founded BV Capital (now Headline Ventures), which today manages over $4 billion in assets. Between 1998 and 2007, he invested more than $1 billion in emerging technology companies such as GoToMeeting, Groupon, and Sonos, supporting their growth.

Luxury Hospitality: Weissenhaus Castle Estate

In 2006, Jan acquired the 400-year-old Weissenhaus estate on Germany’s Baltic Coast. Investing over $150 million, he transformed the property into the award-winning WEISSENHAUS Private Nature Luxury Resort.

Chess & Sports Innovation

In 2024, Jan co-founded Freestyle Chess Co. with Magnus Carlsen, bringing together the world’s top 25 chess players to revolutionize the sport, drawing inspiration from Formula 1’s success model.

Expertise & Thought Leadership

A sought-after expert in internet innovation, venture capital, luxury hospitality, and sports, Jan advises political and business leaders worldwide. His book, 7x7 JBite-Sized Wisdom for Life ;), is available in both print and audio formats.