In its social business issue, Inc. reports on impact investors who support mission-driven entrepreneurs with for-profit investment capital. The GIIN's

IRIS standards

are highlighted as a solution to the challenge of impact measurement.

From original article:

"Impact investors seek to quantify social return, which is far less tangible than financial return. The Global Impact Investing Network has developed a set of reporting standards known as Iris. An acronym for impact reporting and investment standards, Iris helps impact investors speak the same language so they can compare social returns from one investment to the next."

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