This is a CTP of initiative: Impact Hub Vienna (Austria)
Before renting out space, social networkers and freelancer were already networking. Still, renting out the shared working space was perceived as a CTP by all interviewees. It pushed the local community and multiplied the number of members. “On 4 December we opened our doors for the first time and launched The Hub. […] On March 25 we officially opened the doors to the Hub. Around 150 people joined us to celebrate the changes that the Hub has gone through. The regular membership will be available in 3 weeks.” http://vienna.impacthub.net/2010/03/31/looking-back-at-the-hub-opening/ Until then the Hub was already open for people for testing, work, meet, and renotate together on a voluntary base. “After 4 months of renovation, 3 weeks of beta testing and 10 days of fine-tuning the Hub will open its doors for membership on May 3rd.” http://vienna.impacthub.net/2010/04/27/hub-open-for-membership-starting-may-3rd/ The space in Lindengasse 56, a very central and attractive area in Vienna, was officially rented out from January, 1, 2010.
Especially the organisation Emersense was active in networking and supporting the foundation process of the Impact HUB Vienna. Renovating the space together was an occasion to ‘test’ collaboration and build community and trust. THe Impact HUB blog wrote: “bring all our favorite designers together on one table, who has supported various hubs around the world to become funky co-working spaces.” The interviewees stated the positive effect of community action during renovation period of almost five months. The members participated in the design process and in the actual renovation work. Next to the purpose of easy access to working and meeting space for all members, feeling as a community was a major basis for voluntary engagement. Till today community is mentioned as one of the main three core areas of Impact HUB Vienna.
Impact HUB Vienna hosted already some events like the social impact award kick-off. Hosting these events have been strong pushing motivations to get the space ready and nice. Often it was just in time like for a conference bringing together 80 young professionals from around the world to crystallize their intention to work for a better world, took place from 25 – 28 Feb 2010 “Two, out of this 4day conference, were hosted by the Hub and it got ready just in time … unitl 1 hour before the delegates arrived, the conference team put a lot of effort in making the space shine …”
It has been a very productive time of expansion. There has been not much contestation, except getting the location requested some engegement.
It has been worked towards renting a space. It was welcome surprise to receive the location, central in Vienna and in a area of innovative businesses.
It was experienced as learning for building the ImpactHUB community, trust and responsibility.
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