The beauty of working in an emerging space like impact investing is that there is always something new to learn. Intellectual humility is an absolute requirement for impact investors because we need to understand the mechanics of financial instruments and the social dynamics of the communities we seek to serve through our capital deployments.
To help our users gain the knowledge required to effectively impact invest, we at Koined have put together a book list of great reads that will introduce you to the financial and social philosophy of impact investing.
1. Real Impact by Morgan Simon
While Real Impact covers the basics of impact investing, its greatest contribution to the impact lexicon is the way it discusses the dynamics of the relationships between investors and the communities they invest in. Simon goes into great detail about balancing risk, return, and identities within the context of impact. IndieBound
2. The Purpose of Capital by Jed Emerson
Impact investing is usually defined as “investing for good”, but Emerson challenges the reader to think beyond this superficial definition and dive deeply into the philosophy of investment and why we do it in the first place. Emerson helps the reader to arrive at a greater understanding of our relationship with capital markets and how we might envision an impactful future for the investment industry. IndieBound
3. The Power of Impact by Judith Rodin and Margot Brandenburg
The Power of Impact covers the foundational principles, practices, and history of impact investing. It is the perfect read for the person wondering what the heck “impact” investing even is. IndieBound
4. Manifesto for a Moral Revolution by Jacqueline Novogratz
Novogratz is something like a titan in the impact industry. In this text, she offers insight into her personal philosophy on why she does what she does, not just the how. Moral leadership has to be a major trait in an impact investor because those moral commitments will guide you when the most impactful investment is not the easiest or the most profitable. Being steadfast in who you are and why you do what you do is the central point of Novogratz work and it is something we all should seek to embody. IndieBound
5. Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur by Dermot Bakery
In this work, Bakery details the methodology of venture capital from the perspective of an entrepreneur seeking funds. While some investors may never find themselves seeking capital for a startup, understanding the perspective of the entrepreneurs you fund will help you to be a better investor and support system. Moreover, if you are not familiar with the many terms associated with investing in startups, this book goes to great lengths to define and display everything in a lengthy appendix and practice problems. Many impactful companies are initially capitalized through some form of VC or Angel investment, so this book is a must-read. Barnes & Noble
6. Team Human by Douglas Rushkoff
Team Human is not specifically about impact or the financial industry at all. This book is about a way of thinking and making decisions. To be “team human” is to frame your life around the goal of doing things that benefit not just you and your counterparts, but the entire human race. Often human-consideration and the advancement of wealth and technology are pitted against each other, but when we approach the futures of finance, technology, public policy with the mindset of being team human we may actually have the opportunity to transform our world for the better. Rushkoff asks the big questions that every impact investor should be asking themselves as they walk into the office, the bank, or even log on to www.koinedapp.com. IndieBound
If you read all or any of these books please reach out! We would love to discuss them with you on our Instagram, @Koinedapp.
