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Did you know that you can get hands-on training in what it's like to be
an impact investor while you're a GSB student?
This is not a theoretical exercise.
The GSB Impact Fund makes real investments that have real social and
environmental impacts.
The fund is managed by students, who invest in seed and
series a stage impact companies around the world.
Among other investments, our diverse portfolio includes,
a women-owned company, that makes reusable shipping packaging.
A tractor sharing venture for farmers in Africa.
And a new rapid low-cost diagnostic test for hypertension drug therapy.
The GSB Impact Fund offers students practical experience in sourcing and
evaluating investment opportunities, pitching and closing a deal, and
managing a portfolio.
Plus, you get exposure and build networks with peers and
practitioners in impact investing and social enterprise.
Students participate in the impact fund, for a wide range of reasons.
>> I think a big question for
a lot of students at Stanford the business school, the GSB.
Is how do I combine my interests in business with an interest and
a passion for actually creating real social change?
And I can't think of a better way to learn that at the GSB than be involved with
the impact fund.
Because you're getting to see that straight up in front of you.
But you're also getting to interact with a ton of entrepreneurs,
who are thinking on similar lines.
And you're being supported by all this training, you're being supported
by all these advisors who are actually practitioners in this space.
And you're having constant conversations with your classmates and
your peers on these topics.
So, if it is something you're interested in social impact and business,
it's a really fantastic way to get to explore that intersection.
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>> The impact fund is a great way to meet other students in your class,
who are also interested in social impact and making a difference in the world.
So you might meet students in your section very easily.
The impact fund will give you an opportunity to meet other
students with the same interests that you might have.
>> I think you should apply to the impact fund.
Because it is I think one of the only extracurricular at the GSB,
where you really get to develop a new skill set.
And so, it's a valuable experience whether or not you have investment experience.
I was not invested before getting involved with the impact fund, and
you do all of the work.
You're doing the outreach to CEOs.
You learn what it means to source.
You learn what it means to do the diligence have those conversations, and
it is very much a learning by doing.
>> How can you be involved?
Through a competitive process.
You can apply to be on the portfolio team.
Where you manage the assets of the whole fund and
provide strategic advice to the companies in the fund portfolio.
Or on a deal team where you make investments in one of several impact
sectors, guided by a professional advisor who specializes in that sector.
You go through the same process you would working in the field.
To evaluate an investment impact and market potential, business model,
management team, and key opportunities and risks.
Then you pitch the deal to an investment committee
that includes professional impact investors, and GSB professors.
Participating in the impact fund is great preparation for any impact career.
You develop deep sector knowledge.
Learn to evaluate the potential for impact.
And how investing works.
And build your professional network.
While you must be able to commit five hours a week to the impact fund,
students with any type of experience can apply.
We build stronger teams by including people with both investing and
impact backgrounds.
We learn and grow together.
You can only apply to participate in the fall.
But our impact fund program staff is here year round.
To help you understand the field of impact investing where it might fit in
your career, and what you can do to pursue your interests.
We can make connections for all GSB students in the impact investing field.
To learn more about the impact fund and how to apply,
contact us or find us at CSI on MyGSB.
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