Leesa Soulodre is the Founder and Managing General Partner of R3i Capital, R3i Ventures, R3i Impact Foundation, and Planet43—an innovation ecosystem platform dedicated to democratizing access to capital for applied AI and frontier technology startups aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With a focus on delivering measurable impact, Leesa has led investments in pioneering technologies ranging from cognitive brain health diagnostics to the world's first severe dengue prognostic, room-temperature diamond quantum computing, and long-duration renewable energy solutions. These investments reshape industries and contribute to climate action, food and water security, and value-based healthcare.

Portfolio Highlights

Leesa’s leadership has supported groundbreaking innovations that have resulted in an R3i Fund performance of 52% IRR (partial realized, 2023), including:

• Quantum Brilliance (AUS): World’s first ambient quantum microprocessor powered by diamond.
• Impact: Reduces energy consumption in quantum computing, setting the foundation for sustainable future technologies.
• MGA Thermal (AUS): Long-duration solar thermal renewable company.
• Impact: Supports reliable green energy and accelerates greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• FlashFX (AUS): Cross-border payments platform leveraging blockchain for faster and more secure transactions.
• Impact: Improves efficiency and reduces costs in international money transfers, driving financial inclusion and accessibility.
• Meracle Health (SG): Smart respiratory solution for vulnerable populations.
• Impact: Improves health outcomes for children, the elderly, and COVID-19 patients through inclusive, accessible technology.
• StratifiCare (SG): Personalized medicine company with the world's first dengue prognostic.
• Impact: Enhances healthcare precision in dengue-prone regions, reducing fatalities and strengthening local health systems.
• Rubens Technologies (AUS): Fruit intelligence IoT platform driving agricultural sustainability.
• Impact: Increases supply chain efficiency and reduces food waste, contributing to global food security.
• Prosoma (NL): Digital psychotherapeutic solution for oncology patients.
• Impact: Improves adherence to treatment protocols for over 2,500 oncology patients, enhancing outcomes.
• Goama - GoGames (SG): Interactive social gaming platform enhancing mental health.
• Impact: Engages communities through social connections and stress relief via eGaming.

Board Leadership

Leesa currently serves on the boards of:

• R3i Holdings
• AI Asia Pacific Institute
• Viewmind

Leesa also serves as a Venture Partner and Investment Committee Member at Mandalay Venture Partners, an Australian Agritech fund, and Striders Corporation's Omusubi Fund, a deeptech venture fund focused on investments in Asia and Japan.

She serves as an advisor to R3i portfolio companies, including Coring Company and StratifiCare. Leesa leverages her expertise in fundraising, market access, reputation risk management, and cyber risk governance to help these organizations thrive. Her contributions to these boards have led to strategic partnerships, expanded capital, improved governance structures, and successful market expansions.

Previously, Leesa served on the advisory boards of MGA Thermal, Quantum Brilliance, and Goama, and was a board member of Designers Against Aids, Australian Alumni Singapore, and RunwayHQ

In her leadership capacity, Leesa has chaired the TRIUM (NYU, HEC, LSE) Women's Group. Currently leads the TRIUM EMBA Angels Network, which she co-founded in 2022 to support angel education, deal access, and early-stage investment opportunities for TRIUM EMBA (NYU, HEC, LSE) alumni and their families.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Leesa is a former Partner of She Loves Tech, the world’s largest startup competition platform for female entrepreneurs, where she established its footprint across Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the Nordics. Her work with She Loves Tech ties into the 2X Challenge and Beyond the Billion initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to advancing gender empowerment and leveling the playing field for women’s access to capital.

Track Record and Expertise

Leesa has a track record of mentoring and advising across both venture capital and corporate settings:

• Resident Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) / Mentor for 500 Global and Techstars.
• Resident EIR to CVCs: IAG Firemark, Petronas, PUB, Visa Accelerator, Striders Investments.
• EIR to Governments/Cities: KIC SV, Arizona Commerce, Canadian Tech Accelerator, Austrade - DFAT, European Research Agency Horizon2020 Fund for SME ICT Disruption, NSW Investment, UNDP - Magic.
• Former Venture Partner at Raiven Capital (Canada).
• Former Global Advisory Council Member at Cornerstone Capital (NY, USA).

Leesa’s leadership in venture capital, sustainable development, responsible AI, and diversity initiatives makes her an ideal fit for board appointments. Her dedication to advancing transformative growth and her commitment to social justice position her to add significant value to boards focused on sustainable, profitable, and impactful outcomes.

Planet43: A $1 Billion Vision

Leesa is committed to sustainable development and frontier technologies, leveraging her early experience in palliative care, community medicine, and responsible investment across five continents. She has a proven track record of identifying high-potential investments and ensuring impactful technologies reach underserved communities.

Leesa aims to expand Planet43 into an Applied AI and Emerging Tech global accelerator and underwriting platform for R3i Capital and its co-investment network, supporting scaleups addressing SDG5 (Healthcare), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

With a $1 billion early-stage deployment ambition by 2043, Planet43 envisions becoming a leading force in global decarbonization by supporting transformative climate solutions. Leesa focuses on climate resilience, value-based healthcare technology, and social impact—delivering solutions contributing to carbon offsets, social good, and financial returns. The R3i Group is the ideal platform to rally capital from a world-class network of investors to accelerate impact, rapid portfolio growth, and returns.

Leesa serves on boards and makes fund investments that drive transformative change through disruptive, sustainable solutions. She leverages her deep relationships with Limited Partners and her co-investment network to create pathways for strategic and non-dilutive capital. With extensive venture capital experience, a strong ESG and DEI commitment, and expertise in reputation and cyber risk management, Leesa brings strategic insight, governance acumen, and a global network to accelerate market access. She helps organizations in Applied AI and emerging technologies accelerate access to capital, navigate geopolitical and regulatory risks, and achieve measurable, sustainable outcomes.