LAUREL TOUBY

Laurel Touby stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, currently serving as the Managing Partner at Supernode Ventures. This early-stage venture fund is dedicated to identifying and nurturing groundbreaking companies that are shaping the future. At Supernode Ventures, Laurel Touby leverages her deep industry expertise and extensive network to support founders building the next generation of disruptive technologies and business models.

Her investment focus areas are strategically aligned with emerging trends and significant market opportunities. Laurel Touby is particularly interested in the 'future of work,' encompassing everything from innovative SaaS solutions for productivity and collaboration to platforms that redefine employment and talent acquisition. She also has a strong emphasis on 'media technology,' investing in companies that are revolutionizing content creation, distribution, and consumption, including creator economy tools and new media platforms. Furthermore, marketplaces, whether B2B or B2C, that efficiently connect buyers and sellers or aggregate fragmented industries, are key components of her investment thesis. Her portfolio often reflects a commitment to B2B SaaS, AI-driven solutions, and companies that demonstrate strong network effects.

Before co-founding Supernode Ventures, Laurel Touby built an impressive career marked by entrepreneurial success and insightful angel investing. She is widely recognized as the founder of Mediabistro, a pioneering online community and resource hub for media professionals. Under her leadership, Mediabistro grew into an indispensable platform, eventually being acquired by Jupitermedia and later Prometheus Global Media. This experience as a founder provided her with invaluable firsthand knowledge of the challenges and triumphs of building a successful startup, which she now imparts to her portfolio companies. Following the sale of Mediabistro, Touby became an active and influential angel investor, backing numerous promising startups across various sectors before transitioning to lead Supernode Ventures.

Laurel Touby's approach to investing is characterized by her hands-on engagement and a genuine desire to help founders succeed. She brings not only capital but also strategic guidance, operational insights, and crucial connections to her portfolio companies. Her notable investments, both as an angel and through Supernode Ventures, span a diverse range of innovative companies, though specific public disclosures of all individual investments are not always available. However, her consistent focus on high-growth areas like AI, the creator economy, and platforms that enhance professional lives underscores her commitment to backing companies with significant potential for impact and returns. Founders seeking smart capital and experienced mentorship often find a powerful ally in Laurel Touby and Supernode Ventures.