Ignite VC: The Future of Work, AI, and Impact Investing with Oliver Libby | Ep172

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

Oliver Libby is the co-founding Managing Partner of H/L Ventures and City Rock Venture Partners. With nearly two decades of experience backing high-impact, mission-driven startups, he has pioneered a unique venture studio model rooted in daily active engagement. He's also the co-founder and Chair of the Resolution Project, which has helped launch over 1,000 social ventures around the world. In this episode, he offers a deep dive into values-driven investing, the future of venture capital, and the importance of aligning profit with purpose.

In Today’s Episode We Discuss:

00:01 – From Military History to Mission-Driven VC

02:45 – Family Values and a Lifelong Commitment to Impact

05:00 – The H/L Ventures Model: Daily Engagement, Real Value

09:30 – Why Traditional VC Is Broken

14:00 – Profit Meets Purpose: The New Investment Thesis

17:00 – “Controversial” Impact Bets: Defense, Cybersecurity, Law Enforcement

19:10 – AI, Automation, and the Future of Jobs

21:50 – The Rise of the Creator Economy & Entrepreneurial Resilience

26:25 – Sci-Fi, Star Trek, and the Ethics of Abundance

31:57 – Rebuilding the American Dream: Floor and No Ceiling

39:00 – Should VCs Solve Global Problems?

44:00 – Sustainability Through Innovation, Not Austerity

46:42 – Reinventing VC: Specialization, Collaboration, and Platforms

48:30 – The Resolution Project: 1,000 Ventures, $3K at a Time

54:00 – Billion-Dollar Outcomes from Micro Grants

56:13 – Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of Impact

59:35 – Why Networking Is the Last Unautomated Skill

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