Lorenzo Thione

Lorenzo Thione is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and expert in Artificial Intelligence He is a public speaker, advocate for ethical representation, and passionate about the power of storytelling. His multifaceted startups, investments, achievements and contributions across multiple fields make him a compelling and inspiring figure in both technology and the arts.
He is an expert and practician at the intersection of AI and Technology, Storytelling, and Social Advocacy. He has a deep background in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and has gone from AI researcher and technologist at FXPal/Parc, to being the co-founder of Powerset, a pioneering AI company that developed one of the earliest AI-powered web search engines. Powerset was later acquired by Microsoft and became a part of the launch of Bing in 2009.
Currently, he serves as the Managing Director of Gaingels, where he oversees AI, deep-tech and consumer tech investments. Gaingels is a leading investment syndicate dedicated to balancing minority representation in venture, and one of the most active private investors in North America. He is also a co-founding chairman of StartOut, which is dedicated to supporting and elevating LGBTQ+ founders in the venture startup ecosystem.
Beyond technology and venture capital, he is a celebrated storyteller and creative producer in the Theater. He is a four-times nominated and twice winner of the Tony Award for his work in producing on Broadway. His productions include "Hadestown," "The Inheritance," “&Juliet”, “Days of Wine and Roses”, “The Notebook” and "Allegiance," a musical he co-created and produced which starred George Takei and Lea Salonga.
He is also an active investor and advisor to numerous AI startups, in his ongoing involvement in the advancement of AI and in the technological and social revolution it is ushering. His career, roles, and the numerous projects - both creative and philanthropic - he has taken part in highlight his belief in the power of representation and inclusion in both business and the arts. In addition to being a cofounder of StartOut and co-managing partner of Gaingels, he was also recognized as one of the most influential LGBT people in tech in 2014 and 2018.
He was born and raised in Milan, and completed his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, from which he holds an M.S in Computer Engineering.