A Chat with Léonie Weerakoon: Human ecologist, venture capitalist, and founder of Kinetik, Léonie brings decades of experience building and scaling new markets, leveraging her skills in research, operations, design, and investment. At Kinetik, she uncovers missed economic opportunities in biocritical regions - including island nations - bridging research with commercial innovation.

This week, Stephen Ibaraki has an exclusive interview with Léonie Weerakoon.

Léonie is the founder of Kinetik, a venture dedicated to deep-tech solutions that unlock human knowledge within the bioeconomy, a $4-$7T market. Recently, she launched Kinetik Impact (NGO) to protect island biodiversity and cultures, which are key to advancing the bioeconomy - an industry that underpins 60% of global GDP. This initiative honors and preserves their ecological and cultural heritage, recognizing their significant economic value.

Combining expertise in science, design, conservation, innovation, and finance, Léonie bridges gaps between scientific research and commercial innovation. Her ability to unite corporate executives, artists, scientists, and Indigenous communities in both traditional and unconventional settings has resulted in diverse collaborations that tackle global challenges.

With Luxembourgish, Texan, and Sri Lankan roots tied to island governance, Léonie's approach to reform is deeply influenced by her cultural heritage and its ancient traditions. Her personal and professional backgrounds shape her understanding of how cultural practices and biodiversity drive sustainable innovation globally.

With over a decade of experience, Léonie has driven historic reforms in industries traditionally disconnected from sustainability. From initiatives like F1 Austin and Whole Foods to a portfolio generating over $30 billion in economic impact, her leadership has brought six successful exits and influenced policy changes with the European Commission, PSIDS, and the UN to integrate sustainable frameworks. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and other leading publications.

Blending scientific expertise as a human ecologist with a humanitarian spirit and artistic sensitivity, Léonie's work is inspired by nature's marvels and shaped by her travels to over 65 countries, alongside extensive field research in sustainability and innovation.