Measuring the impact of impact investments – by talking to customers themselves

Acumen's “Lean Data” impact measurement methodology lets the firm hear “directly from customers, even those in the most remote locations, in ways that creates value for them, for the companies that serve them, and for investors,” write Acumen’s Sasha Dichter and Tom Adams in the Measure Better series opener.

LeapFrog Investments backs IFC’s ‘operating principles for impact management’

The IFC, part of the World Bank Group, is betting on the nine principles to help combat “impact washing” while providing an impact-investing onramp for institutional investors sitting on trillions.

Japanese investor ARUN backs Indian domestic service platform BookMyBai

ARUN sees the potential to boost job stability and income of domestic workers, particularly women, who otherwise depend on informal “maid bureaus” to get hired.

Brazil’s Mundo Verde acquires natural products e-commerce platform Natue

The companies share a similar mission of expanding the reach of conscious and healthy food, nutrition and beauty products.

The Brief’s Big 10: Climate-finance mobilization, institutional backlash, impact leaders of the year, financial re-plumbing, Agent of Impact

The Brief’s Big 10: Climate-finance mobilization, institutional backlash, impact leaders of the year, financial re-plumbing, Agent of Impact

Institutional hot seat (podcast), Lambda’s coding school, financial solutions for workers, alternative capital structures

Institutional hot seat (podcast), Lambda’s coding school, financial solutions for workers, alternative capital structures

Re-plumbing business financing with alternative capital structures

The majority of young U.S. businesses—as much as 81% according to new research presented at last week’s Alternative Capital Summit in Denver—struggle to access venture capital or bank financing