Creating an Impact Investment Ask

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Creating an Impact Investment Ask

This course is part of Raising Impact Investment Capital Specialization

Instructor: Cathy Clark

Included with

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1 module

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

1 module

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Diagnose a venture’s business growth readiness using a structured seven-element framework
Build a four-step impact management process aligned with investor expectations
Integrate business and impact insights to craft a compelling and credible investment ask
Communicate investment needs in a way that aligns with both financial and impact goals

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

1 assignment

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Raising Impact Investment Capital Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There is 1 module in this course

How does an impact entrepreneur make a compelling case for investment? This course teaches you how to assess a venture’s readiness for impact capital by examining two essential dimensions: business growth and impact.

On the business side, you’ll use a diagnostic tool to evaluate seven key elements that drive growth and understand how investors assess profitability through unit economics. On the impact side, you’ll learn a four-step framework for building strong impact management practices that meet investor expectations. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to integrate these insights to clearly articulate and justify your capital ask confidently and credibly. This course is designed for aspiring and current impact entrepreneurs or managers, aspiring impact investors learning how to evaluate impact ventures, and any learner interested in how businesses can generate a positive impact. This course requires no prior experience. We break down complex ideas into accessible language, define key terms, and provide practical tools and templates to support your learning and application.

How does an impact entrepreneur make a compelling case for investment? Building on our other Coursera course "Impact Investment Finance," this module teaches you how to assess a venture’s readiness for impact capital by examining two essential dimensions: business growth and impact. On the business side, you’ll use a diagnostic tool to evaluate seven key elements that drive growth and understand how investors assess profitability through unit economics. On the impact side, you’ll learn a four-step framework for building strong impact management practices that meet investor expectations. By the end of the module, you’ll know how to integrate these insights to clearly articulate and justify your capital ask confidently and credibly. Before diving in, please take a moment to review the brief overview of course policies and discussion board expectations—it will help you get the most out of your learning experience.

What's included

4 videos11 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

4 videos Total 53 minutes

Two Key Dimensions: Growth and Impact 7 minutes
Defining a Growth Strategy 15 minutes
Impact Management Practices Investors Expect 14 minutes
Roadmap for a Justifiable Ask 17 minutes

11 readings Total 123 minutes

General Course Information 5 minutes
Report a Problem with this Course 1 minute
Raising Impact Investment Capital Specialization 5 minutes
Stages of Growth 4 minutes
Going Deeper on Unit Model 8 minutes
Business Growth Diagnostic 30 minutes
Introduction to the Impact Management Practices Investors Expect 10 minutes
Guide to Pollinator Impact Navigation Tool 10 minutes
Pollinator Impact Navigation Tool 30 minutes
Template Milestones for a Justifiable Ask 10 minutes
Share your Learning Experience 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Graded Quiz 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Feedback on this Course 10 minutes

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Instructor

Cathy Clark

Duke University

6 Courses 43,567 learners

Offered by

Duke University

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.