Stanford GSB Impact Fund

The Stanford GSB Impact Fund provides graduate business students hands-on experience in impact investing—making investments with expectations of both financial returns and measurable social or environmental benefits. Managed by students with guidance from faculty and alumni, the fund focuses on early-stage for-profit ventures across various sectors, including education, climate, fintech, healthcare, and more. Participants gain valuable skills in sourcing, diligence, and impact measurement while accessing Stanford's extensive venture ecosystem.

The Stanford GSB Impact Fund focuses on investing in early-stage for-profit ventures that demonstrate verified social or environmental impact metrics. The program aims to equip graduate business students with practical experience in impact investing while contributing to ventures that align with social good.

Designed for Students, Investors, Founders. The program is in person. Participation is generally part time.

Open to Stanford GSB graduate students interested in impact investing and venture capital.

The program is open to Stanford GSB graduate students interested in impact investing and venture capital.

• Hands-on investment experience (sourcing, diligence, committee review)
• Access to Stanford's venture ecosystem
• Mentorship from experienced investors and entrepreneurs
• Portfolio exposure to impact-driven founders
• Development of impact measurement frameworks

The program runs for one year, providing a comprehensive experience in impact investing.

The 2024–25 report records 612 deals sourced, 188 founder calls, and 43 deals diligenced. It also lists 19 active portfolio companies and reports that three companies received new investments in 2024–25; participants from the 2023–24 cohort sourced those companies. Separately, one participant described gaining confidence evaluating ventures and considering angel investing.