What Is Early-Stage Impact Investing? Challenges, Growth, and How to Get Started
Episode Description
EPISODE OVERVIEW Wharton Professors Tyler Wry and Katherine Klein discuss the difficulty of projecting both financial and social returns in impact investing and why impact measurement is challenging. They highlight trade-offs in sectors like microfinance and differentiate ESG and impact investing. They also talk about why due diligence must cover both financial performance and social outcomes.
PODCAST OVERVIEW Every day, business scholars answer pressing questions in their research - but what do their insights mean for you? In this podcast, Wharton faculty dive into what inspired their studies and how their findings resonate with the world today. Learn how research insights translate into knowledge you can use, with host Dan Loney.
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Brief Summary
Katherine Klein and Tyler Wry discuss the complexities and growth of impact investing and share insights from their new book.
Key points
- The Rise of Impact Investing. Impact investing has grown exponentially, surpassing $1 trillion in assets under management.
- Bobby Turner's Impact Story. Bobby Turner exemplifies how impact investing can drive positive change in communities.
- Navigating Investment Opportunities. Investors must carefully choose where to focus their impact investments.
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Episode highlights
- The Rise of Impact InvestingImpact investing has grown exponentially, surpassing $1 trillion in assets under management.“Last year was the first time in history that impact investing has over $1 trillion in assets.”1:55Jul 8, 2025
- Bobby Turner's Impact StoryBobby Turner exemplifies how impact investing can drive positive change in communities.“I wanted to have more positive impact in the world.”5:51Jul 8, 2025
- Navigating Investment OpportunitiesInvestors must carefully choose where to focus their impact investments.“You have to be really focused in terms of where do you want to look.”7:39Jul 8, 2025





