Lo Toney

Laurence "Lo" Toney is the Founding Managing Partner at Plexo Capital, a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in emerging seed-stage venture capital funds and directly in companies from their portfolios. Plexo Capital was incubated and spun out from Google Ventures (GV) to enhance access to early-stage deal flow, particularly targeting diverse teams and entrepreneurs.12

Professional Background

Lo Toney has over 20 years of experience in various strategic and operational roles within the tech and investment sectors. Before founding Plexo Capital, he held significant positions at several prominent companies:

• Partner at GV (Google Ventures): From 2015 to 2018, he focused on investments in marketplaces, mobile consumer applications, digital media, and gaming.35

• General Manager at Zynga: He managed the Zynga Poker franchise, significantly increasing web bookings and margins during his tenure.4

• Global General Manager at Nike.com: He was responsible for the e-commerce strategy and operations, leading a team to enhance Nike's online presence.4

• Director and General Manager at eBay: Toney oversaw the collectibles business unit, managing a substantial P&L.4

Education

Lo Toney earned his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where he also completed a program in Management of Technology. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Hampton University.35

Contributions and Recognition

Toney is recognized for his commitment to increasing diversity in venture capital. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at supporting minority-led startups, and he has been featured in various media outlets for his contributions to technology and venture capital.32 He was named one of the "Most Important African-Americans in Technology" by Business Insider, reflecting his influence in the industry.3

Overall, Lo Toney's career is marked by a focus on innovation, diversity, and strategic investment in the tech ecosystem.