Asset classes and products
Introduction
How to use these resources
Resources in this module
Glossary of terms
We have put together a glossary of terms for impact investing
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Overview
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Social Impact Investment
OECD
Reading time: 20 minutes
This section considers the main asset classes that are represented in the assets under management within impact investment. The text includes case studies and a consideration of the returns for each asset class compared to when they are invested in ‘traditional’ markets. A range of innovative financing mechanisms is explored, including an in-depth evaluation of social impact bonds (SIBs) and the potential challenges associated with them.
What the reviewer found helpful:“Illustrative diagrams and case studies helped bring to life innovative and complex financing tools seen in the impact investing market.”
Yinni Hu
Intermediate
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GIIN Annual Impact Investor Survey 2020 – pp. 35-38
Global Impact Investing Network
Reading time: 5 minutes
The GIIN’s 2020 Annual Impact Investor Survey details the investment activity of 294 leading impact investors, collectively managing USD 404 billion, over 2019 and forecasted into 2020. This section includes trend analysis of social issue areas within the impact ecosystem. Survey respondents have allocated a larger proportion of funds towards the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
What the reviewer found helpful:“The GIIN presents an interesting breakdown of the changes in sector allocations”
– Serena Grover
Intermediate
Debt, equity and hybrid models
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Private Equity Embraces Impact
KPMG
Reading time: 30 minutes
Provides an overview of the private equity asset class’ experience (challenges, opportunities, evolution of the market and investor relations) in the impact investment space Provides insight on how certain initiatives, such as the IFC Operating Principles for Impact Management, support and bring clarity around best practice, as well as additional understanding around what impact really means.
What the reviewer found helpful:“Multifaceted views on how the private equity funds have interacted with and embraced impact in transactions and the impact ecosystem as a whole.”
Kate Munuka
Intermediate
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Venture Capital and Impact Investing
Cambridge Associates
Reading time: 3 minutes
A brief paper highlighting the growing overlap between venture capital and impact investing, and the opportunities this trend presents. The paper raises the question of whether this convergence represents the future of investing as impact becomes increasingly integrated into mainstream investing strategies and decisions.
What the reviewer found helpful:“A one-pager that raises increasingly relevant questions about the blurring distinction between ‘traditional’ and impact investing.”
Yinni Hu
Intermediate
✔ Recommended
Blended finance
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Making Blended Finance Work for the SDGs
OECD
Reading time: 30 minutes
The OECD outlines why blended finance – an approach of combining different forms of capital towards development – is a key solution to close the financing gap towards the SDGs. The report explores the unintended consequences that may arise from scaling up blended finance without a sufficient understanding of its risks. Best practices are also highlighted to display lessons learned from blending approaches, tracking and data, and monitoring and evaluation.
What the reviewer found helpful:“A clear explanation of what blended finance is and how it can be used to scale SDG funding”
Serena Grover
Intermediate
Investing in public and private markets in terms of risk and impact intensity
There are no Intermediate resources for this topic