Impact Investing I: Foundations

Impact Investing I: Foundations introduces students to the core principles, tools, and actors shaping the field of impact investing. The course provides a foundational understanding of how capital markets can be leveraged to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, and poverty, while also generating financial returns. Students learn how to evaluate impact-driven transactions, assess risk and return across impact portfolios, and measure both financial and non-financial outcomes. The course includes modules on the history and evolution of the field, stakeholder roles, project evaluation using NPV and other techniques, portfolio construction, and impact measurement. The course culminates in a final team project and expert panel presentation, with a focus on real-world applications and career exploration.