ABSTRACT

This chapter evaluates the size, scope and scale of the impact investment sector. Its focus is limited to the private equity (PE) (including venture capital and buyout) asset class, specifically those funds listed in the GIIN ImpactBase (the largest and most comprehensive fund list for impact investments). Interviews with investment funds based in Toronto, Vancouver and San Francisco and an assessment of funds in the GIIN ImpactBase show $50 million to be a common target size for an impact investment PE fund. Some 50% of funds in the ImpactBase claim to invest in several different business stages. The majority of impacts investing funds are relatively new and only a small minority has a track record of achieving this level of financial returns. The impact investment sector is currently in the range of $9 billion, and growing. However, this includes investments that are also considered traditional investments and were in existence prior to the coining of the term "impact investment".