Next Play Ventures

Early-stage VC led by LinkedIn's former CEO with 9 unicorns including Figma and Slack

Next Play Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded and led by Jeff Weiner, former CEO and current Executive Chairman of LinkedIn, alongside Brian Rumao, LinkedIn’s former Chief of Staff. The firm’s mission is to coach and invest in entrepreneurial leaders building world-class, purpose-driven organizations, emphasizing leadership development alongside capital investment. Their investment philosophy centers on supporting founders who align doing well financially with doing good socially, fostering companies that combine strong values with growth ambitions. Key sectors include Future of Work, Web3/Crypto, Climate, Health, and Communications & Information Technology, with a focus on startups in the USA. The firm has a notable track record, backing nine unicorns including Figma and Slack, reflecting its impact on the startup ecosystem by helping scale transformative tech companies[1][5][6].

Founded shortly after Jeff Weiner stepped down as LinkedIn CEO in 2020, Next Play Ventures leverages the leadership and operational expertise of Weiner and Rumao, who both played pivotal roles in LinkedIn’s growth and Microsoft acquisition. The firm’s name is inspired by Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski’s mantra “Next play,” symbolizing a focus on continuous improvement and resilience. This ethos reflects their approach to investing and coaching founders, emphasizing learning from past experiences and preparing for future challenges. Early traction for the firm comes from its deep network and operational playbook derived from LinkedIn’s success, enabling it to provide unique strategic support to portfolio companies[1][2][4][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Combines capital with active coaching and leadership development, focusing on founder growth as much as company growth.
• Network Strength: Access to Jeff Weiner’s and Brian Rumao’s extensive networks from LinkedIn and Microsoft, providing strategic partnerships and mentorship.
• Track Record: Early investments in nine unicorns, including high-profile companies like Figma and Slack, demonstrating strong deal sourcing and value creation.
• Operating Support: Hands-on guidance drawing from deep operational experience at LinkedIn, including scaling teams, culture building, and strategic execution.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Next Play Ventures rides the wave of purpose-driven entrepreneurship and the future of work, sectors that have gained momentum due to digital transformation and evolving workforce dynamics. The timing is critical as startups increasingly seek investors who provide more than money—offering mentorship and values-aligned support. Market forces such as the rise of remote work, digital collaboration tools, and the growing importance of social impact align with Next Play’s focus areas. By fostering companies that blend economic success with social good, the firm influences the broader ecosystem toward more sustainable and inclusive innovation[5][6].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Next Play Ventures is poised to deepen its influence by continuing to back startups that address emerging challenges in work, technology, and society. Trends like AI integration in the workplace, decentralized technologies, and climate tech will likely shape their portfolio evolution. Their coaching-centric model may become a blueprint for other VCs aiming to build founder-centric, values-driven investment firms. As they scale, their role in closing the network gap and expanding economic opportunity could grow, reinforcing their founding ethos and extending their impact beyond capital deployment[5][6].

Next Play Ventures embodies Jeff Weiner’s vision of combining leadership, compassion, and strategic investment to build the next generation of iconic, purpose-driven companies.