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Lorenzo Thione is the Managing Partner at The Venture Reality Fund in San Francisco, California. Before transitioning to venture capital, he served as the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Factual Inc., an enterprise data company that was acquired by Cloudera in 2015. He also founded and acted as Chief Executive Officer of the wellness platform Keas, which achieved a successful exit in 2015, and previously worked as an early engineer at Pixar Animation Studios. Thione holds master's degrees in electrical and computer engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and has invested in a portfolio of more than 50 startups through his personal and institutional funds. Drawing on his extensive background in consumer technology, his current investment strategy centers on early-stage companies developing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and immersive augmented and virtual reality technologies.
Lorenzo Thione is a distinguished Managing Director at Gaingels, a global venture capital firm and angel network renowned for its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. At Gaingels, Thione plays a pivotal role in identifying, evaluating, and nurturing promising early-stage companies, with a strong emphasis on those founded by LGBTQ+ leaders and other underrepresented groups. His work at Gaingels aligns with the firm's mission to drive both financial returns and social impact by investing in diverse teams and fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.
Thione's investment focus areas are broad but often center on technology-driven ventures. Given his background, he is particularly interested in sectors such as artificial intelligence, SaaS, fintech, consumer technology, and digital media. He seeks out companies that demonstrate strong innovation, scalable business models, and a clear vision for growth, all while championing diverse leadership. His expertise helps Gaingels portfolio companies navigate complex market challenges and achieve their full potential.
Before his impactful tenure at Gaingels, Lorenzo Thione built an impressive career as a serial entrepreneur and technology executive. He co-founded and served as CEO of StartOut, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. This experience deeply informs his current investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. Thione was also a co-founder and CTO of Powerset, a natural language search engine company that was famously acquired by Microsoft, becoming a foundational component of Bing search. He also co-founded The Social Edge, a digital media company later acquired by Live Nation, further showcasing his acumen in building successful technology enterprises. His career also includes a unique venture into Broadway production, highlighting his diverse interests and capabilities.
While specific individual investments by Lorenzo Thione are often part of Gaingels' collective portfolio, his influence is evident in the firm's strategic choices. Gaingels has invested in hundreds of companies across various stages, consistently backing ventures that align with its diversity mandate. Thione's deep understanding of technology, coupled with his passion for supporting diverse founders, makes him a key figure in the venture capital world, driving both financial success and meaningful social change through his investments and leadership at Gaingels.
Lorenzo Thione is a Managing Director at Gaingels, a venture capital firm focused on investing in diverse and LGBTQ+ led companies. He is also a successful serial entrepreneur and technology executive with a background in AI and digital media.
Lorenzo Thione primarily invests in early-stage technology companies through Gaingels, with a strong focus on ventures led by diverse founding teams, especially LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. His investment interests often include AI, SaaS, fintech, consumer technology, and digital media.
Lorenzo Thione works as a Managing Director at Gaingels, a prominent global venture capital firm and angel network dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion within the startup ecosystem.
