Diversity is Everyone’s Responsibility with Oliver Libby
Oliver Libby, co-founding Managing Partner of H/L Ventures & CityRock Venture Partners goes Off the Record.
On this week’s episode, we sit down with Oliver Libby, co-founding Managing Partner of H/L Ventures and CityRock Venture Partners. The H/L family of companies represents a new kind of venture firm, dedicated to building high-growth businesses that add value to society, with a strong preference for diverse founding teams. In addition to H/L Ventures, Mr. Libby is also Chair & Co-Founder of The Resolution Project, Inc., a non-profit which works with undergraduate students launching new socially-responsible ventures. Resolution supports hundreds of young social entrepreneurs in more than 80 countries and across the United States.
Listen in as we dive into the issues in Venture Capital world today, the new face of innovation, and how diversity is everyone’s responsibility.
You won’t want to miss this episode with one of our favorite allies and a true champion for all!
Badass Bio
Oliver b. Libby is co-founding managing partner of H/L ventures and Cityrock Venture Partners. The H/L family of companies represents a new kind of venture firm, dedicated to building high-growth businesses that add value to society, with a strong preference for diverse founding teams. Mr. Libby is also chair & Co-founder of the resolution project, inc., A non-profit which works with undergraduate students launching new socially responsible ventures. Resolution supports hundreds of young social entrepreneurs in more than 80 countries and across the united states. Resolution fellows have helped nearly 3 million people. Mr. Libby is a presidential leadership scholar, a Milken young leader, a tech: Nyc councilmember, and a fast company impact council member. Mr. Libby’s work has been covered in publications including the new york times, wall street journal, financial times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Venture Capital Journal, Crains NY business, fast company, Reuters, and television appearances including CNBC.
Mr. Libby graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College.
Connect W/ Oliver
Linkedin: oliver libby
Twitter: @oliverblibby
Learn More About H/L Ventures
Website - www.h-l.vc
Twitter - @hl_ventures
Linkedin: h/l ventures
Join h/l studio (pre series a) - https://h-l.vc/hl-studio/
Join city rock (series a and later) - https://h-l.vc/cityrock-ventures/
ABOUT H/L VENTURES
Since its founding in 2009, H/L Ventures has forged a new way to build companies. H/L Ventures’ unique approach combines daily active engagement with every portfolio company and a focus on investing in growth, impact, and diversity. Today, H/L Ventures manages a family of companies and funds that together comprise a holistic company-building ecosystem. At the heart of this system is H/L Ventures, which was among the first venture studios to include social impact in its investment thesis. That venture studio is now supported by our opportunity fund, cityrock ventures, and our managed services group, h/l strategies, among other entities. Our team has pioneered an innovative, effective model that aligns the interests of entrepreneurs, investors, other stakeholders, and society to succeed together. At H/L Ventures, we apply these three key elements across our studios and funds:
Daily active engagement
A powerful ecosystem
Access to capital
ABOUT THE RESOLUTION PROJECT
The resolution project was founded by a group of young professionals who had attended youth leadership summits as university students and had been frustrated with being the “leaders of tomorrow.” Resolution’s founders believe that university students have the energy, idealism and will to solve some of the world’s most persistent and challenging problems, and should be leading today.
Website: https://resolutionproject.org/
Linkedin: the resolution project
Twitter: @resolutionproj
In the press
Venture Capital Journal - Diverse Portfolios Should Be The Responsibility Of Every Vc
Financial Times - City Rock Ventures & Managing Partner Oliver Libby
Crains Ny Business - Diverse & Inclusive Awards
Key Takeaways
Don’t always take the biggest check in the highest round. Know & trust your cap table!
When raising capital, celebrate your successes and do the math for what this means for the future.
As an investor, we believe the most important asset is the founder and their belief in their product.