Zecca Lehn on Investing for Impact and Sustainability | Modern Investing Podcast

Modern Investing Podcast

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In this episode, we sit down with Zecca Lehn, General Partner at Responsibly Ventures, a California-based VC firm investing in U.S. PreSeed startups that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

With a background as an Environmental Economist, Data Scientist, and Nonprofit Board Member, Zecca brings a rare blend of analytical rigor and human-centered investing to the venture world. He shares:

• His journey from living off-grid on a remote island to launching a mission-driven fund
• What it means to invest at the intersection of purpose and profit
• How Responsibly Ventures selects startups tackling climate, equity, and global wellbeing
• Why he believes early-stage investing is a lever for long-term systems change

“If we’re funding the future, we better be funding one that works—for people and the planet.”

This episode is a compelling listen for anyone passionate about aligning capital with conscience and investing in a better tomorrow.

About Zecca Lehn:

Zecca Lehn is the General Partner of Responsibly Ventures, a PreSeed VC firm backing mission-driven U.S. startups across social impact and sustainable technology sectors. With over 15 years of experience spanning environmental economics, data science, and entrepreneurship, Zecca brings deep insight into what it takes to build ventures that are both scalable and regenerative.

His upbringing in an off-grid, Japanese-style home in the Pacific Northwest—and later travels through Scandinavia—shaped a lifelong commitment to equity, ecology, and innovation. Through Responsibly Ventures, Zecca continues to champion founders building a more inclusive and sustainable future.

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