Impact investing has emerged as an important field that pursues both financial returns and positive social outcomes. As a pioneer in impact investing education, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania has made tremendous efforts to promote this practice. With various research centers, conferences, competitions and courses dedicated to impact investing, Wharton aims to advance knowledge and nurture talents in this area. Its global reach also enables cross-sector collaborations that drive capital to deliver social benefits around the world.
Wharton Social Impact Initiative Connects Capital with Social Needs
Founded in 2011, the Wharton Social Impact Initiative (WSII) is a pioneering research center focused on impact investing. It aims to build a talent pipeline for the impact economy through fellowships, an online newsletter and the annual WSII conference. The Initiative also leads projects to direct capital to social priorities. For instance, its evidence-based research helped social enterprises in Colombia secure $10 million loans from impact investors. Furthermore, WSII advises governments to develop policies and initiatives that catalyze private investments for public good.
Wharton Impact Investing Partners Empowers Student-Managed Fund
Launched in 2016, the Wharton Impact Investing Partners (WIIP) trains MBAs on impact investing by engaging them in a student-led investment fund. WIIP provides education on topics like impact measurement and management and offers opportunities to network with industry leaders. Its investment activities focus on healthcare, education, housing and financial inclusion in the US. Since inception, WIIP has deployed nearly $700,000 into early-stage social enterprises. This hands-on experience allows students to put classroom knowledge immediately into practice.
Annual Impact Investing Competition Fuels Innovation
The Wharton Social Impact Initiative hosts the annual Impact Investing Competition to promote innovative finance solutions for social problems. The competition provides learning beyond textbooks as student teams perform due diligence and present investment recommendations. Past winning projects have addressed challenges from clean water access in India to sustainable smallholder agriculture in Africa. With up to $100,000 in awards, the competition fosters a vibrant student impact investing community to drive change.
New Impact Investing Courses Arm MBAs for Career
In response to the growing demand for impact investing professionals, Wharton has introduced new MBA courses to equip students with essential knowledge and skills. For example, Impact Investing: Finance for the Greater Good covers topics from impact measurement methodologies to innovative deal structures. Meanwhile, courses like Strategic Social Impact focus on applying business strategies to maximize social impact. With field projects and guest speakers, these courses bridge the gap between business and impact investing.
As a pioneer in impact investing education, Wharton has played an instrumental role in advancing the field through spearheading research, nurturing talent and promoting cross-sector collaboration. Its multifaceted initiatives will continue to drive capital towards scalable and sustainable solutions that generate both financial return and deep social impact.