Leesa Soulodre is a prominent figure in the deeptech venture capital industry, recognized as a serial entrepreneur and for her commitment to responsible AI investment and sustainable innovation.

As the Founder and Managing General Partner of R3i Capital, R3i Impact Foundation, and Planet43, with her Partner Professor Marianne Winslett, she has worked to expand access to capital for applied AI and frontier technology startups that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A Track Record of Transformative Leadership

Leesa's investment philosophy focuses on delivering measurable impact. Under her leadership, R3i Capital has achieved a 52% internal rate of return (IRR) as of 2023, with investments spanning cognitive brain health diagnostics, room-temperature diamond quantum computing, and long-duration renewable energy solutions. These ventures aim to transform industries while contributing to climate action, food and water security, and value-based healthcare.

Planet43: Driving Global Impact at Scale

Leesa founded Planet43, an innovation ecosystem platform designed to support startups addressing global challenges. With a goal to deploy $1 billion by 2043, Planet43 focuses on supporting scaleups in healthcare (SDG 3), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), and climate action (SDG 13).

Notable R3i Investments

• Coring Company (Norway): A digital geomapping company enhancing industrial automation in mining, construction, and agriculture. Impact: 15% more extraction, 45% less waste rock and water.
• Quantum Brilliance (Australia): Developer of an ambient quantum microprocessor powered by diamond. Impact: Reduces energy consumption in quantum computing, contributing to sustainable future technologies.
• MGA Thermal (Australia): A company focused on long-duration solar thermal renewable energy. Impact: Supports reliable green energy and accelerates greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• Black.ai (Australia): Context analytics for the security and defence of our built environment
• Viewmind (Argentina) : a company that develops non-invasive digital assessments of brain health using eye movements. It applies ocular digital phenotyping to measure cognitive domains and brain regions, and provides insights for drug development and patient care.
• Meracle Health (Singapore): Provides smart respiratory solutions for vulnerable populations. Impact: Aims to improve health outcomes for children, the elderly, and COVID-19 patients through inclusive, accessible technology.
• StratifiCare (Singapore): Offers personalized medicine with a dengue prognostic. Impact: Seeks to enhance healthcare precision in dengue-prone regions, reducing fatalities and strengthening local health systems.

Supporting Mental Health in Entrepreneurship

Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, Leesa has championed initiatives to support founder mental health. R3i Capital has integrated mental health infrastructure into its term sheets, including quarterly strategic coaching, monthly progress check-ins, and AI-powered support systems. This approach underscores Leesa's belief that sustainable leadership and resilience are important for long-term success in the venture ecosystem.

Global Influence and Thought Leadership

Beyond her investment activities, Leesa serves on the board of R3i affiliate R3i Impact Foundation. She is also a board member of the AI Asia Pacific Institute, contributing to the advancement of ethical AI practices. As an educator, she shares her expertise in strategy and entrepreneurship at institutions like the SMU Cox School of Business, IE Business School, and Singapore Management University.

Leesa Soulodre's leadership and commitment to impactful investing aim to set new standards in venture capital, fostering innovations that address pressing global challenges. Her vision and approach position her as an advocate for responsible AI, and sustainable innovation.