Redefining the meaning of return

Impact Investing

Impact investing has made big waves lately but what conceptual underpinning is really behind the terminology? This and many more related questions are being answered in this course.

Investments aiming to generate a positive social and / or environmental impact as well as some financial return have become known as impact investments over recent years and have gained substantial momentum in both the finance and social entrepreneurship community.

Impact investing can be viewed as occupying the space between traditional philanthropy and traditional investments. It differs from traditional investments, that aim to yield risk adjusted optimal returns, by introducing positive impact generation as a precondition to further considering an investment opportunity. On the other hand it differs from traditional philanthropic expenditure by having the expectation to generate some financial return.

In this course participants will firstly gain an understanding of the impact investing space. Secondly they will research a suitable investee or investment opportunity for an impact investor. Thirdly participants will develop an impact investment structure for their chosen investment opportunity.

The goals of this course twofold. On one side this course will provide fertile grounds to practice critical thinking enhancing the capacity to question dominant business paradigms and draw conclusions on the feasibility of alternative ways to look at the financial services sector. Secondly participants will gain a solid overview on the why, the how and the what in impact investing. In addition this course will give ample opportunity to practice presentational, research and debating skills.