Rick Defieux

Co-founder, Investment Committee Chair SJF Ventures

Rick Defieux is a prominent venture capitalist and the Co-founder and Investment Committee Chair at SJF Ventures, a firm he established in 1999 alongside Dave Kirkpatrick. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Defieux has been instrumental in pioneering impact investing, which emphasizes environmental and social returns alongside traditional financial metrics. This approach aligns with the "triple-bottom-line" philosophy that SJF Ventures advocates for, focusing on profit, people, and the planet.1 3

Career Background::

Prior to founding SJF Ventures, Defieux worked as a conventional venture capitalist for 15 years. He has also held roles as a General Partner in several venture capital funds, including Edison Venture Funds and Allegra Partners.2 3
He has received recognition for his contributions to cleantech investing, including the Cleantech Pioneer Award in 2003.2 3
Defieux's educational background includes an MBA from Columbia University and both a BA and MA from Boston University.2 3

Current Role:: At SJF Ventures, Defieux leads a team that manages over $200 million in investments across various sectors such as recycling, sustainable agriculture, and education. The firm focuses on growth-stage companies that demonstrate potential for significant environmental and social impact.1 3 Additionally, he serves on the boards of several companies within SJF's portfolio, providing strategic guidance and leveraging his extensive industry expertise.1 2

Defieux is based in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and continues to influence the landscape of impact investing through his leadership at SJF Ventures and involvement with networks like Investors' Circle.1 2 4