Laurel Touby built and sold Mediabistro for ~$23M, giving her founder-level credibility and deep expertise in media, marketing, and the creator economy that she uses to connect portfolio companies with customers and talent rather than just writing checks. She's known for coaching founders on how to pitch VCs with tactical feedback on storytelling and avoiding jargon, while focusing on companies where community-building and network effects are central to the product based on her experience scaling Mediabistro through events and online communities.

• Keen interest in how artificial intelligence is reshaping internet navigation and consumer behavior. Speculates that large language models serving customized ads could eventually render traditional search engines and browsers obsolete.
• Focus on digital health, longevity, and the ripple effects of medical trends on the broader market. This includes personal usage of wearables like the Oura ring for sleep tracking and analyzing how the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic might deter private equity investment in certain food and consumer goods categories.
• Support for fintech solutions that cater to the evolving creator and solopreneur economy. Frequently highlights portfolio companies that solve specific pain points for independent workers, such as consolidating premium credit card services for individuals who feel underserved by traditional banking.
• Appreciation for high-quality journalism, public media, and the tangible value of physical publications. Expresses genuine excitement about the return of print magazines and advocates for the preservation of funding for local journalism and community information services.
• Direct engagement with Web3 and blockchain technology. Actively participates in the ecosystem, such as claiming on-chain digital artifacts and NFTs directly on the Bitcoin network.
• Emphasis on professional development and soft skills. Shares advice on navigating social dynamics, such as using playfulness to manage small talk in situations where there is a perceived power imbalance.