• Summary

    Following the launch of CBRE Global Investors, a social and affordable housing fund, Maha Khan Phillips explores the subsector of impact real estate in this IPE Real Assets article. Referencing statistics from the GIIN Performance of Real Assets Impact Investments report, Phillips believes that there is a strong opportunity for more impact investments in real estate, in part because of the current lack of adequate accommodations for the homeless. Abhilash Mudaliar, director of research at the GIIN, speaks positively of this potential for growth, referencing the growing contingent investing both “for business performance and investment performance.”

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    In this Barron’s article, Abby Schultz reports on the launch of Y Analytics, a private benefit corporation grown out of The Rise Fund by TPG, which is a new analytical platform that uses previous impact measurement and management (IMM) research to allow investors to account for impact in growth stage companies before making an investment. Schultz also quotes Kelly McCarthy, the GIIN’s Director of Impact Measurement and Management, about how the new platform’s approach complements other tools and developments within the IMM space.

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    ImpactAlpha provides a critical analysis of Y Analytics, an impact measurement arm of TPG Growth’s Rise Fund, recently launched by TPG Growth and Bono at the Davos World Economic Forum. Some concerns have been raised regarding the methodology, which attempts to put a monetary value on social impact, including that it may rely too heavily on studies rather than feedback and that it is too divergent from current industry norms. However, as mentioned in a quote from Kelly McCarthy, the GIIN’s Director of Impact Measurement and Management, strengthening impact measurement and management and working to create common standards will be a positive externality of Y Analytics’ work.

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    In this interview with Business Insider, Bill and Melinda Gates reflect on the work of their eponymous foundation since its founding twenty years ago, namely the investment of $10 billion into global health initiatives. The Gates express concern over wealthy countries’ level of fixation on domestic issues, and urge governments to remember their commitments to global health. The couple explains the impact and value of these investments relative to other poverty-related initiatives, saying that “an investment in health is more valuable than just about any other a person can make” because “health is what then allows people to go on and get a great education and participate fully and reach their full potential.”

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    In this article, the Financial Timestraces the growth of socially responsible investing from the creation of Phillips Van-Heusen’s pension fund in 1974 to overcoming the roadblocks caused by the “doctrine of shareholder primacy” to the practice’s more mainstream position today. Author Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson emphasizes the importance of improving and spreading the practice of “purpose-first” investing as businesses are increasingly involved and positioned to address social and environmental issues which many governments are not prepared to address on their own. He highlights the potential for leaders of the business and finance industries to “lead on some of society’s most pressing issues” and encourages them to shape a model of capitalism that will allow them to do so successfully and responsibly.  

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    This two-part feature focuses on the growth of impact investing in the Asia-Pacific region, pinpointing it as an example of the practice’s potential. Author Queena N. Lee-Chua details the influence of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in the region, the rise of gender lens investing in the region, and highlights the work of individual organizations and success stories in particular countries and sectors. 

    Continue reading about the rise of impact investing in Southeast Asia here: https://m.inquirer.net/business/262801

     

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    In this Op-ed for the Financial Times, Sir Ronald Cohen reflects on the progress of the impact investing industry as well as the steps needed for the practice to reach its full potential. For instance, he points out the need to “draw up a new social contract” as the world’s “human and environmental crises” continue to grow, and he refers to impact investing as “our rocket ship to social change.” Cohen also underscores the significance of impact measurement, calling it the most crucial step to growing and spreading the practice and ultimately enabling impact investing to “build a better world.”

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    As a new year began with more investors focused on impact than ever before, Bloomberg’s Emily Chasan and Eric Roston named nine questions believed to be focal points for socially responsible investors in 2019. The themes predicted to be central to the industry this year center on diversity and the environment as well as advances in technology and investing practices.

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    In this interview, the GIIN’s CEO Amit Bouri reveals the GIIN’s plans for accelerating the growth of impact investing around the world. Specifically, Bouri discusses the organization’s goals as well as three key themes that are essential to “not just unlock capital, but to have an impact on investing itself, to shape the overall system for the better.” These three themes include: increasing participation from those who are new to impact investing, safeguarding the integrity of the market, and changing mindsets and fueling a much broader impact investing movement.

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  • Summary

    Following Bloomberg’s Global Responsible Investing Forum, Ramy Inocencio interviews GIIN CEO Amit Bouri about the rise of impact investing. Specifically, the duo highlights data from the GIIN’s Annual Impact Investor Survey and The Landscape for Impact Investing in Southeast Asia study to share details about Asia as the fastest- growth region for impact investing.

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  • Summary

    This Forbes article makes a connection between the recent wave of advocacy related to the midterm elections and the practice of impact investing. Author Janet Brown, of Intelligent Investing, encourages readers to channel their commitment to making a difference into their investment decisions, emphasizing that sustainable investing encompasses a wide range of issues. She goes on to pinpoint ways to become involved in the industry, from learning more about impact investing overall to selecting sustainable mutual funds.

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  • Summary

    In this article, Lisa Cox of Sorenson Impact pinpoints the advancement of impact measurement as a necessary step for more capital to be invested in impact. Cox mentions some difficulties precluding strict measurement standards, particularly the many different types of social returns and their respective metrics. As the impact investing industry grows, Cox recommends looking towards further developing impact measurement to help systematically solve “a whole world of social problems.”

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