Lack of metrics stalls progress of social impact investment

The impact investment industry, which focuses on firms with a positive social impact, stands at a crossroads. Following the swift growth of microfinance, the most mature of impact investment sectors, the burgeoning asset class is emerging within venture capital. The funds dedicated to social enterprise investment contain capital commitments and networks exist to leverage expertise and opportunities, so why has progress been slow? A lack of metrics to measure returns. Amy King reports.