Laurence Toney

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Laurence Toney

Lo Toney is a General partner at Google Ventures focusing on Marketplaces, specifically on demand and eCommerce. These areas include Mobile technology such as Messaging API and Apps using the messaging interface as the UX. The other is Digital media through Social and Content in media and publishing. Previously, he was a partner with Comcast.

Background

Lo is recognized as one of the leading Tech Entrepreneurs in the African American community. His expertise online entrepreneurship goes back since the early days of the internet boom of the late 90s. He has held executive positions throughout the 2000s at eBay, Art.com, and Nike Inc. He is also and Angel investor for several companies, and has been executive for small companies as well.

Early Life and Career

Born and raised in Oakland, California. He is a third generation technologist who earlier in life decided to follow in the same footsteps. He went on to graduate from Bishop O'Dowd High School.

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Lo attended Hampton University, and received his BS in Business. He then graduated for the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley where he received his Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship & Management of Technology

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After graduating University, his exposure to the tech industry earlier in life helped him navigate through the challenges that faced the internet during the boom of the 90s. After being a part of several internet companies, he acquired the position of Director and General manager of the collectibles unit at eBay.

He then joined Art.com as the Vice president of Market Place operations while also being on the advisory board of Kaboodle now a part of Hearst corporation. A year later he became the Global General manager of Nike Inc.

He also worked with Zynga as the General manager of Zynga Poker with full P+L responsibility for Zynga's largest franchise at that time. During his leadership, web bookings increased by over 150% with margin expansion. In addition, he led the Casino strategy and was the sponsor for two acquisitions to drive new game development and acquire expertise in real money gaming. Lo has also held executive roles with Nike + eBay as well as startups funded by top tier investors.

He has been the board member of several startups and also participated in many projects.

He became a partner at Comcast Ventures Catylist fund and then joined Google Ventures as a partner.

Laurence Toney is a mentor at Mucker Labs, an LA seed fund.