TLDR:
Key Points:
- JD Vance worked in venture capital before becoming Trump’s VP pick
- During his time in VC, Vance was involved in impact investing strategies
In July 2024, JD Vance was chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate for vice president after gaining fame through his book “Hillbilly Elegy.” However, Vance’s background in venture capital, particularly his involvement in impact investing strategies, sheds light on his political perspectives. Vance worked at Mithril Capital, co-founded by Peter Thiel, where he promoted his book while investing in tech companies. He later joined Revolution LLC, focusing on underfunded startups in areas less funded by traditional VC firms. After co-founding Narya Capital in 2020, Vance raised $93 million with the help of tech billionaire connections, leading to a portfolio of science and technology firms with ESG-aligned investments. While Narya’s focus is not explicitly impact investing, some of its investments align with ESG principles, such as climate-focused farming and affordable healthcare technology.
Vance’s venture capital journey also includes investments in firms aligned with red-aligned political views, like Rumble, the video platform supporting free speech, and Strive Asset Management. Despite distancing himself from impact investing publicly, Vance’s venture capital history may impact his political decisions, as seen in his involvement in Project 2025, a conservative strategy opposing impact investing principles.
Overall, JD Vance’s background in venture capital, including investments in impact and politically aligned companies, provides insight into his perspective as a political figure.
