In this course, we will explore how debt and equity can be used to finance infrastructure investments and how investors approach these investments. We will discover the crucial importance of infrastructure in modern economies and the evolution of financing methods in the context of growing global needs.
The course is divided into 5 modules lasting approximately 7 hours, spread over 5 weeks. We will cover the importance of infrastructure, public and private sources of financing, the evolution of infrastructure and project financing. We will also look at the increasing focus on sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria.
The course includes video lectures, readings and talks by expert guests. It is presented in an accessible and simplified format, suitable for a general audience, including high schools and new entrants to university. Available in Italian and English with subtitles, it is accompanied by materials in both languages.
The first module introduces the topic of the importance of infrastructure in modern economies. First, an attempt is made to point out that in the next 20 years, the need for infrastructure at a global level and at the level of industrially developed countries (USA and Europe) will be particularly significant and will require the mobilisation of significant financial resources. Next, an attempt is made to clarify the meaning attributable to the term 'infrastructure'. In the jargon used by private investors, in fact, several classifications are possible, some based on a traditional/sectoral approach (economic infrastructure vs. social infrastructure), others based on the different quantification of the underlying risk and return (core, core+ and value added). Finally, the focus is on ESG impacts, with particular reference to the E and S elements that infrastructures pose in the face of a growing awareness of the need to make such investments sustainable over the long term.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment6 plugins
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 25 minutes
Welcome!•1 minute
Introduction to Week 1•2 minutes
Infrastructure demand over the next 20 years•2 minutes
Introduction. Two classification methods•1 minute
Economic infrastructure and social infrastructure: differences and different ways of financing•6 minutes
Various combinations of risk and returns: core, core-plus and value-added infrastructure•7 minutes
The new taxonomy emerging from the focus on ESG issues - Overview•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz of the week•30 minutes
6 plugins•Total 90 minutes
The infrastructure gap in 2040•15 minutes
The situation at a global level, in Europe, and in the US•15 minutes
Economic and social infrastructure •15 minutes
Resource infrastructure•15 minutes
Economic infrastructure and social infrastructure: try to tell which is which•15 minutes
Takeaways of the Week•15 minutes
Week 2 - What are the sources of infrastructure funding?
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
The module presents the categories of investors in the infrastructure sector. The initial introduction provides a high-level view of the two categories (the public investor and the private investor) and the investment motivations underlying each of the two groups. It then moves on to an examination of public financing of infrastructure: the driving role of infrastructure on the growth of the economic system and jobs (fiscal multiplier and job multiplier) is clarified, but it is also pointed out that in recent years privatisation policies and budget constraints have led to a steady reduction in public investment and an increase in the infrastructure gap. The plans of the US government (IRA), the EU (NextGen and Repower EU) and Italy (PNRR) are a response to this decline. Finally, private financing of infrastructure is considered and the attributes of infrastructure that are attractive to a private investor are clarified. The different types of investors (greenfield and brownfield) are clarified and it is shown that infrastructure investments are very stable even in times of market crisis and recession (recession-resilient investments).
What's included
5 videos1 assignment3 plugins
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 23 minutes
Introduction to Week 2•1 minute
Infrastructure for harmonious and sustainable development in a country: mobilizing adequate financial resources•4 minutes
An ideal world: The State provides resources for infrastructure•7 minutes
Attributes of infrastructure and greenfield and brownfield investors•8 minutes
Evidence from post-pandemic surveys (the resilience of infrastructure investments)•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz of the Week•30 minutes
3 plugins•Total 45 minutes
Post pandemic period and infrastructure recovery plans•15 minutes
Why are private investors interested in investing in infrastructure?•15 minutes
Takeaways of the Week•15 minutes
Week 3 - Infrastructure 'on the move': new segments and themes
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
The module clarifies why the concept of infrastructure is 'in motion', evolving. The general introduction gives a high-level overview of why what we define as infrastructure today may no longer be so in the coming years (the 'stranded assets') as well as investments that were not considered infrastructure until a few years ago are perfectly so today. The first interview presents the energy sector and the evolutions it has undergone (decarbonisation and ecological transition), the situation in Italy is assessed and the possible implications for the future. The second interview focuses on a very innovative sector and therefore seemingly far removed from the concept of infrastructure (but not resource infrastructure as seen in module 1) such as agritech. It is clarified why agriculture is the infrastructure of the future, the Italian situation and the implications for investors. The third interview focuses on an even more innovative sector such as the space economy. The perimeter of the space economy, the implications for investors and the Italian situation are clarified. The last interview with F2i's Alberto Ponti clarifies sustainability issues in infrastructure investment. From the perspective of a large national infrastructure investor, we analyse how ESG issues enter into the investment process of a large fund and guide its strategic decisions.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment2 plugins
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 70 minutes
Introduction to Week 3•2 minutes
Tomorrow's infrastructure will probably be different from today's•4 minutes
The energy sector: emerging trends•15 minutes
Agriculture and Agritech•18 minutes
Space Economy•23 minutes
The new attention to ESG issues•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz of the Week•30 minutes
2 plugins•Total 30 minutes
Updated classification of core, core plus and value added•15 minutes
Takeaways of the Week•15 minutes
Week 4 - Il finanziamento privato delle infrastrutture e il project financing
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
The module introduces the financial technique used for greenfield infrastructure projects: project financing. A high-level overview of this technique is given in the introduction together with some data on the market in question. In the first part, a simple definition of project finance is presented using the example of the "time bomb" to clarify the difference with traditional financing of any other investment. It then goes on to examine the network of contracts used in project finance transactions by identifying the four key contracts that are essential to the success of the operation (EPC, supply of raw materials, sale of products or services, maintenance and operation contracts).Finally, it clarifies the main categories of risk underlying infrastructure projects, both during the construction and operational phases, and presents the main solutions that can be used to reduce/mitigate these risks.
What's included
11 videos1 assignment2 plugins
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 44 minutes
Introduction to Week 4•1 minute
Private financing of infrastructure and the project financing technique•5 minutes
Some reference data•4 minutes
Project Finance, a simple definition•6 minutes
Corporate Finance versus Project Finance•6 minutes
The Time Bomb•3 minutes
Four key contracts of Project financing•4 minutes
Identifyin a conceptual map of risk•2 minutes
Risks during the construction phase•4 minutes
Risks of the operational phase•4 minutes
The importance of risk management - examples•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz of the Week•30 minutes
2 plugins•Total 30 minutes
Case study: WinEnergy•15 minutes
Takeaways of the Week•15 minutes
Week 5 - Course Conclusions
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
This Week is dedicated to the final evaluation of the course.
Our ambition is to develop students' potential and foster knowledge in Business, Economics and Law through innovative learning and research activities in a multicultural environment. Bocconi is a community that constantly innovates teaching and learning technologies and that strongly believes in the power of life-long learning and networking.
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