Impact Investing for VCs
Impact Investing for VCs is a first-of-its-kind, purpose-built training programme designed to strengthen venture capitalists’ capabilities in impact investing, enhance LP–GP dialogue, and support venture managers to remain at the forefront of both impact and venture practice.
Developed by ImpactVC, Better Society Capital and our Faculty, the programme equips VCs with the tools and frameworks needed to embed impact into fund strategy and investment processes - enabling them to source, select and support high-potential impact-driven startups.
Each cohort is carefully curated, with content adapted and personalised to participants’ needs. Whether you are a GP, Head of Impact, Associate, Analyst or Venture Partner, the programme will be tailored to reflect your role, organisation type, experience and strategic priorities.
Who is this for?
The programme is designed for professionals actively building their careers in impact venture capital - from GPs to Associates - who are seeking a practical, hands-on learning experience to take their expertise to the next level.
It is particularly suited to people working in VC who want to:
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Embed impact thinking into their investment process
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Strengthen their impact thesis and decision-making frameworks
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Maximise both impact outcomes and financial returns
You do not need to be a member of the ImpactVC community to join a training — non-members are very welcome.
What will you learn?
The programme combines practical frameworks, case studies and peer exchange. Core themes include:
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The key components of an impact thesis
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Identifying areas of high impact and commercial potential, including examples in practice from leading impact venture firms
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Communicating your impact thesis and value proposition with investors and founders
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Outlining the drivers of competitive advantage for impact companies in certain sectors and business models
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Examples in practice including impact competitive advantages as they relate to customers, talent, regulation and investors
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Case study examining drivers of competitive advantage for high-impact startups
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Articulating impact as a driver of value to LP’s
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Breaking down impact returns and impact risks for specific investments using assessment frameworks, including examples in practice
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Case study exercise looking at a high-performing impact startup
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Embedding impact into the investment process and decision-making, including staffing models around impact for different VC firms and engagement with founders during the investment process on impact
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Peer to peer sharing on what works and common challenges in implementation
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Overview of impact measurement in an early-stage venture context
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How this relates to standards (depending on geography)
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Driving valuable learning and commercial support for your portfolio through impact measurement and management - including a case study on measuring impact to drive value in practice
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Best-in-class impact reporting and talking to LPs about your impact, including examples in practice from leading impact venture firms
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What will you take away?
The playbook focuses on making impact actionable across the full venture journey:
Impact Thesis and Process
Embed impact into your fund’s thesis and processes, helping you to select the best businesses.
Attract Top Tier Founders
Attract top-tier founders based on your impact value add.
Leverage impact as a driver of value
Understand how to leverage impact as a competitive driver of value, helping to power returns by better assessing impact companies.
Appeal to LPs and Investors
Appeal to LPs who are increasingly looking for impact credentials.
Build peer network
Access to a network of VCs who are actively shaping the future of impact venture capital.
ImpactVC Faculty and Previous Contributors
"The ImpactVC training is truly insightful. The program brought top-tier content and world-class experts, offering deep insights into integrating impact into venture capital. I not only gained invaluable knowledge but was also inspired by the trainers and the incredible cohort of fellow investors. The learning experience was both practical and thought-provoking.”
Lyne Landry
Co-founder and Partner, AgeTech Capital
"Great course! I really valued the practical approach and takeaways from top voices in the field, as well as the space to discuss.”
Alejandro Ibarra
Principal, Opes Italia Sicaf
"A key highlight of the training was connecting with peers – the sessions prompted open and practical discussions where we could share experiences, learnings, and collaborate.”
Emily Matthews
RI & ESG Manager, Oxford Science Enterprises
"The content provided was extremely helpful in becoming more proficient in understanding the areas of impact that are relevant to our fund. It was very helpful in focusing our process, messaging, and measurement of impact for our fund.”
Malcolm Fraser
Nadarra Ventures
"I feel like my technical skills and market knowledge have increased dramatically. More importantly, I have the materials from the seminars to refer to as a benchmark as we take the next steps.”
Sahr Saffa
Cotton Tree VC