The Hub Amsterdam

2010-03-09T13:26:00.002+01:00

Hello HUB members and co-hosts! Hello to the interested and the curious! This Blog is no longer in use. To visit the active HUB Amsterdam Blog please go to http://amsterdam.the-hub.net/public/blog

Check out upcoming Hub events!

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Don't miss our upcoming events! To check out what's going on at The Hub Amsterdam click here.

Come and join us!

What is the Hub

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Today is the announcement of the Dutch Innovation Top 100. There are 300 entrepreneurs nominated, The Hub Amsterdam is one of the nominees. More information Here:

The Hub Amsterdam - Realize.nl The Hub Amsterdam - Realize.nl Jeroen Maes

Publish at Scribd or explore others: conscious workspace realizelive

Hub Film: "Global Oneness" | 20 May | at 18.30

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What if the world embodied our highest potential? What would it look like? The Global Oneness Project uses film to explore how the radically simple notion of interconnectedness can be lived in our increasingly complex world. Since 2006 the project founders have been gathering stories from around the world about people who base their lives and work on the understanding that we bear great responsibility for our shared world. These stories have been compiled in a series of short-films available online at www.globalonenessproject.org. Join us at The Hub to watch these films together and be triggered into a conversation about our ways of individually and collectively expressing oneness.
The film is free for members, guests are welcome and asked to pay a small contribution to the cost of running The Hub this evening. Come at 18.30 if you want to share in ordering some locally-sourced healthy and fair pizza. Bring your own drinks.

The Money Game | Friday 15 May | from 10.00 to 13.00 | €3 for Hub members and €10 for non-members

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The Money Game is a simulation game developed to help people in all financial situations to understand the feelings and beliefs we have about money in our lives and in society. Each person brings a certain amount of money that may lessen or grow depending on the (un)conscious choices you and the others make, so bring an amount you don't mind losing but that is enough to feel like you are taking a bit of a risk (with a maximum of €1000). The game explores giving, receiving, and asking for money. It is hosted by Lisette Schuitemaker, a social investor and catalyst for systemic change. The Hub is inspired to offer The Money Game to support social entrepreneurs in uncovering unconscious paradigms, choices and challenges in dealing with money while in pursuit for social change.

Places are limited so please RSVP to amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net to book your place.

It was Dinsdag at The Hub!

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We had 65 people join us in a conversation to explore social innovation, with input from Josephine Green (Philips Design), Tatiana Glad (The Hub), Alycia Lee and Shawna Snow (Reckoning) and Egon de Bruijn (Treemagotchi).

Through rounds of small group 'cafe conversations' we explored what social innovation is in our own diverse contexts, what improvements we would like to see in our own neighbourhoods (see tag cloud) and committed to next steps.

Thank you to the Dinsdag.nu team and the Amsterdam Innovatie Motor for the oportunity to share our thinking and parctice on social innovation for sustainability. And we are just getting started...

Innovation Dinsdag with the Amsterdam Innovatie Motor | 21 April | from 9.00 to 11.30

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Theme: Social Innovation in Theory and Practice at Hub Amsterdam

True social innovation is systems-changing – it alters the perceptions, structures and behaviours that previously gave rise to the challenges it seeks to address. Social Innovation refers to new concepts, strategies, and ways of organising, that meet social needs of all kinds. Needs in e.g. the areas of sustainable economic development, health and new life-styles, education, or community development. Social innovation does not only describe innovation with social objectives, - such as micro finance or e-learning – but also new social processes that in themselves are innovative or innovation-enhancing, such as open source technologies or open space methods. Now, what does this mean in practice? Where does social innovation take place? And in which areas do we most need it? Which elements facilitate social innovation? And what can we do to make social innovation flourish in Amsterdam?

These are a few of the questions that we would like to invite you to explore, with input from Josephine Green (Senior Director of Trends and Strategy at Philips Design), Tatiana Glad (Co-founder of The Hub in The Netherlands), and with two case studies presented by social innovators in The Hub.

Read more about the Dinsdag programme at www.dinsdag.nu. Since our audience and speakers are partly Dutch, partly non-Dutch, the Dinsdag program for this week will be bi-lingual. Reserve your place by e-mailing amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

Hub Film: "The Take" | 15 April | at 18.30

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Called "a political thriller that turns the globalisation debate on its head" by the National Film Board of Canada, The Take is a documentary film by Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein about how in economic crisis workers in Argentina took over the factories abandoned by their owners and self-organised to restart production and reclaim livelihoods. A provocative film that explores the controversy of local sustenance and globalisation, this film offers sharp insight into a critical time in Argentina. See www.thetake.org for more - and join us at The Hub to watch the film together and be triggered into a conversation about forms of organisation in the wake of financial collapse. 2004, 87 minutes
The film is free for members, guests are welcome and asked to pay a small contribution to the cost of running The Hub this evening. Come at 18.30 if you want to share in ordering some locally-sourced healthy and fair pizza. Bring your own drinks.

Hub Gallery | Ari Snow | From April 10

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The photography of Ari Snow will be on display at the Hub. Ari is a 14 year old expat from the USA who has lived in Amsterdam for the past three years. The photographs that will be on display were taken in Russia and reflect his personal journey as he has worked with orphans for the past three summers. These children are very precious to him and he is excited to be able to share a bit of their lives. This will be his third art exhibit, but the first one showcasing these very significant images. The photographs will be on display at the Hub for 6 weeks. Please join Ari at the Hub's borrel on 10 of April from 17:00- 18:00.

Amsterdam werkt over voor het goede doel! | 27 maart van 19.00 tot 03.00

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Acht uur overwerken voor het goede doel is een jaarlijks en landelijk georganiseerd evenement. Op 27 maart wordt in 8 steden overgewerkt door 5 teams van creatieven. Ook Amsterdam doet mee, en wel in The Hub! We zoeken nog een aantal creatieven. Creatief, geinspireerd en enthousiast? Zie onze blog http://amsterdamwerktover.wordpress.com en mail je motivatie en een beknopt CV naar Inge op achtuur2009@gmail.com!

The Money Game | Wednesday 25 March from 15.00 to 18.00 | €3 for Hub members and €10 for non-members

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'Tune in' | Tuesday 17 March at 20.00 | €10

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Foor Wittink and Brechtje Roos, two professional musicians, will give a workshop to let you experience the language of music. The theme´s for the evening will be ´change´ and ´community´ and I hope this evening will give you some inspiration for work and life.

To sign up for the workshop, please send an email to info@kunstenaarsinbedrijf.nl.

Coachcafé voor Ondernemers | 12 Maart van 19.15 tot 22.30

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Op donderdagavond 12 maart organiseert Blik-Opener in samenwerking met Droomzaken het Coachcafé voorOndernemers. Jonge en potentiële ondernemers zijn van harte uitgenodigd om in gesprek te gaan met onze ervaren ondernemerscoaches. Wil je voor jezelf beginnen, zit je vol ideeën, maar weet je nog niet hoe en waar je begint? Kom dan langs met je droom en deel je verhaal! Locatie: Hub Forum. [meer info ]

Hub Guest | Tea with Meg: A conversation about social innovation with Margaret Wheatley | Thursday 12 March, 16.30-18.00

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It’s sometimes difficult to hold the space between the "old paradigm" falling apart and nurturing the emergence of the "new". Join us for an intimate conversation with our friend Marga ret Wheatley - international speaker, author, change strategist and poet - where she will share her insights on the role of social change agents in the emerging new and on taking social innovation to scale. Meg has been learning from living systems for many years and applying lessons to understanding how communities come together, and stay together. Read more in her article: http://www.margaretwheatley.com/articles/emergence.html

This event is free to Hub members and €10 for non-members; places are limited, please contact amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net to book a place.

Meg with us at Hub Rotterdam last year

True Valentine @ The Hub

2009-02-17T14:54:00.004+01:00

"My 21st century Valentine with your multitude of faces. A thousand candy hearts I give away in your name to help me find the way into the flesh of my new poem. My era. My time... I'll tell you what the New looks like. A rose from you to one thousand. A rose from me to one thousand yous."

Thank you to The Valentine Peace Project , Feest der Poezie, Tony Chocolonely, and Hub members for a warm 21st century ethical valentine full with fair trade and organic flowers - a first True Valentine at Hub Amsterdam Saturday evening.

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January has been an exciting month for the Hub bringing lots of changes. We welcomed many new members to the Hub family and now have just over 80 in total. As the number of members grows - the energy and sense of possibilities increases. As you may have noticed the Hub as a space is changing every day as more of the design ideas turn into a reality making it a very enjoyable space to be in. We look forward to seeing you here and hope to see you at some of the upcoming events.

Hub launches a weekly programming

For informal member gatherings the Hub launches a weekly programming such as Thursday's Super Salads where, everyone who wants to join brings 1 ingredient for the salad and 1 question to contribute to an inspiring and surprising conversation. On Monday's we launch the brown bag lunch around a member's case study. This lunch is an opportunity to get feedback from fellow members on your project or your new idea. Along with this we'll have Hub film & pizza nights, pub@the-hub, Hub lecture and debates and possibly more.

True Valentine | 14 February 2009 at 19:30 | free for Hub Members and 5 Euros for guests

True Valentine is an initiative by Federico Hewson and Rima Freeman inviting you to create and enjoy an evening of fair trade chocolate and flowers - poets from Feest der Poezie - and your own sharings of food and/or writings or drawings on global community. Colors of the evening with be green and purple. Bring your imagination to a new and ethical valentine expression and join us for een gezellige avond.

Please RSVP: amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net (For more information about the Peace Valentine Project see here !)

Meet Solidaridad | 18 February from 12:00 to 14:00 | Free

Solidaridad is a pioneer, developer and innovator in the field of fair trade. They have chosen this path because they believe that sustainable economic development is the best solution to structural poverty in developing countries. And it's meeting with more and more success. Solidaridad is offering a presentation in The Hub about who they are, what they do and how they can support you as a social entrepreneur in this field. This is a great opportunity for you to get more involved in what you are passionate about! Join the conversation with Solidaridad and bring your own fair trade lunch. Please RSVP: amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

Coachcafé voor Ondernemers | 12 Maart 2009 van 19:15 tot 22:30
Op donderdagavond 12 maart organiseert Blik-Opener in samenwerking met Droomzaken het Coachcafé voor Ondernemers. Jonge en potentiële ondernemers zijn van harte uitgenodigd om in gesprek te gaan met onze ervaren ondernemerscoaches. Wil je voor jezelf beginnen, zit je vol ideeën, maar weet je nog niet hoe en waar je begint? Kom dan langs met je droom en deel je verhaal! Locatie: Hub Forum. [meer info]

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Welcome into 2009!!!

Events @ The Hub Amsterdam | December 2008

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SPECIAL GUEST | 'Open Business Models' with Michel Bauwens
16 December | 12.00-14.00 | 7 euros Hub members, 10 euros non, light lunch included

The Hub Amsterdam is happy to welcome international peer-to-peer expert and theorist Michel Bauwens after his recent talks all over the world and in Hubs London and Brussels on 'open business models'. Michel, who founded The Foundation for P2P Alternatives, will share his expertise and host a conversation with you on:

- how can p2p approaches and tools help entrepreneurs boost their business?
- what new tools and practices and opportunities are emerging through p2p for entrepreneurs?
- what can p2p mean for my business, and the impact I want to make?

This is especially relevant given recent Hub member conversations about drawing on crowdsourcing and community based principles to innovate business models for new social enterprise. Come learn from Michel, one of our respected thought-leaders over for just a short visit.

Limited places! Register soon at: amsterdam.hosts@thehub.net

Other events...

How does Hub Membership work?
5 and 12 december | 16.30 to 17.30

The Hub Amsterdam is an innovation and flexible workspace for social- and eco-innovators. The Hub is an inspired space for working, meeting, innovating, learning and connecting. Membership: It's like your mobile phone, you sign up on the tariff that works for you. Membership ranges from €20 to €410 a month depending on how much time you spend here. Still have questions? Not sure how it works for you? Come and ask all your questions about Hub membership in an informal and informational meeting at The Hub on 5 and 12 December at 16:30. Email us at amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net so we know you're coming.

Orange Pebble Change Agent of the Year Award 2008
12 December | 20.00 | free

Last year, Marianne de Jager, senior evolutionary change consultant at IBM, was the first to receive Engage's Orange Pebble Award as an acknowledgement of her dedication and hard work as a change agent in her organisation. This year Engage! will again present the award to one of the change agents encountered in 2008 work, starting at 20.00. Shortlisted are 4 candidates each from Shell, ABN AMRO, Danslab and ICCOKerkinActie. RSVP to jouk@engagency.nl

After the ceremony, join us for some bits & bites, and slam poetry...

Rhyming for a Reason
12 December | 21.00 | 3 euros, snacks available but bring your own drinks

Join us for an evening of slam poetry, music and conversation. We will run the night like a kitchen Ceilidh - hearing songs, poetry, stories and jokes from all of us who would like to - so bring your own contributions, instruments and whiskey! The night will be hosted by Tim Merry, social entrepreneur and internationally performing slam poet. Check him out at www.oftheshire.org and www.merryanddurkee.com

Please RSVP to amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

Poetry Workshop
13 December | 14.00 - 16.00 in the Hub Studio | free

Look into your heart
The dreams you want to start.
To make a better world
More green, more love, more art.

Join Federico (director TVPP) and Ilonka (director of the School der Poezie) who will talk about The Valentine Peace Project, using 14 February as a day for 'world citizens' to share poems throughout the world on interpretations of love and peace in the 21st century. Thousands of fair trade flowers will arrive next February in Amsterdam, Antwerp, San Francisco and other cities for citizens to share with selected poems. In this free workshop you'll learn a little bit of history of this developing endeavor and how you can participate. We will also read and appreciate international poetry. You will get a chance to write from our own heart and also dialogue about your own ideas on this 'world citizenship' approach to the commercial Love holiday. Ilonka will also introduce different cultural approaches to poem making.

See www.valentinepeaceproject.org and www.schoolderpoezie.nl and to register please drop a note to info@valentinepeaceproject.org

Thank you for HubNacht!

2008-11-27T01:21:00.005+01:00

To our amazing community - more than 250 of you showed up to inaugurate our Hub Amsterdam - co-building our space and our community - wow!

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, mingling, and generous hub-warming gifts.

60 juices, 200 litres of beer, 50 hubcups, 100s of pieces of mosaic in our floor, 40+ nationalities, 15 plants, all sorts of creative types, a tango and a bunch of new members later... we are well on the way to being Amsterdam's hottest social innovation community.

Dank u wel. Muchas gracias. Merci. Obrigado. Danke Schon. Makasih. Arigato. Tak. Hvala.

HubNacht!

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HUBNACHT | 21 November 2008

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HubNacht is a celebration of our new Hub Amsterdam! We are excited to invite our whole community for a casual, dynamic and creative gathering. We'll keep you busy 4PM to 4AM! Learn how to make mosaic floors, create Hub cups, build your desk, pimp up electricity cables, paint stuff, create the Hub Amsterdam cocktail, taste conviviality, courage & imagination, and tango on our new wood floor. Music, lights, food, drinks and meaningful conversation... what more could you ask for to warm up your autumn evening?

The HubNacht concept is a co-creative event with many of our members showcasing their talents and wares and inviting our wider membership (and your friends too!) to co-build a Hub habitat that brings out the best of the social innovator in you. Seriously… activities are planned all night long, start at 4PM to inaugurate the space, join a Members Meet & Greet with Jan Hein van Joolen (one of our social investors) at 17:30, take part in a series of parallel Hub co-building workshops from 18:30 (after which you'll earn your cocktail), meet Hub World, witness the first social fashion show in The Hub to support streetkids in the city, and many many more surprises – each hour, on the hour! And if that's not enticing enough… Free beer, socially responsible of course!

RSVP you and your friends to amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

As with a house-warming, we ask you to bring a few things to make the Hub a home:
[1] bring a cup to make your Hub cup,
[2] bring a glass bottle or jar (empty and clean),
[3] bring an ingredient for the Hub cocktail creation workshop,
[4] bring a (optional) housegift: plants, pillows and kitchen stuff

… and bring your dancing shoes!

Ready to sign up?

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This week Hub Amsterdam welcomed the very first official member! Carmen of Rambler /Ideal & Co signed up! (meet them at our HubNacht on 21 Nov]

From now on you can sign up too. You can see the space, ask your questions about The Hub and explore what membership works for you. Hub memberships are offered as monthly time-in-the-Hub packages: you choose the time and tariff that suit your needs! Come by any day of the week from 12.00 to 17.00 and talk to the Host. Please make an appointment first, so we can offer you full attention.

Upcoming Events @ The Hub

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Members Meet & Greet | 14th November from 16.30 to 18.00
Join a member-to-be conversation circle and find out how we are individually and collaboratively pioneering enterprising initiatives for a better world. Hosted by one of our social investors and chair of The Hub NL Stichting, Patrice van Riemsdijk has worked for many years in international businesses and NGOs. She facilitates intercultural talent in life-affirming leadership development and has been active in the Dutch social entrepreneurship scene for many years. Her drive is to actively contribute to the reflection and energy of young people on their path to a meaningful future.

HubNacht | 21 November, 4PM to 4AM
Our Hub-warming party (more info soon to be released)

Rhyming for a Reason | 12th December | 21.00 | 3 euros
Join us for an evening of slam poetry, music and conversation. We will run the night like a kitchen Ceilidh - hearing songs, poetry, stories and jokes from all of us who would like to - so bring your own contributions, instruments and whiskey! The night will be hosted by Tim Merry, social entrepreneur and internationally performing slam poet. Check him out at www.oftheshire.org and www.merryanddurkee.com

Please RSVP to amsterdam dot hosts at the-hub dot net

Member Meet & Greet conversations

2008-11-06T15:58:00.005+01:00

"Finally a place where they know my name... where I meet like-minded people..." was a theme that emerged from a gathering of Hub members-to-be last Friday as we spoke about the old world cracking and the evidence we are seeing of a new emerging world. Social innovators shared their field of work and stories of stepping in to take a stand for change.

Lisette, our host and also a social investor in The Hub Amsterdam reflected, "I found it amazing to see community happen like instant coffee - a question about what brought them to The Hub and instantly conversations started to happen in which members found common ground and potential to work together."

---

Two weeks earlier in our Members Meet & Greet we shared our burning questions around us, our work and the current context in the world:

How to improve cooperation towards peace?

How can we change/innovate democracy to survive in a changing world?

Do we have a shared understanding in what direction we have to change to achieve (which) better world?

How can we create a playground to experience trust in business rules?

What are the "fool" rules?

How will ethics become sexy?

How to change - people, organisations, society - from worth ethic to play ethics, from information, power, money, hierarchy to play, wisdom, experience and collectivity?

What of governments/institutions/companies trusted the grassroots initiatives? What if we trusted each other?

Is all the the help we offer abroad actually helping or does it only make us feel better?

How should we be in relationship with nature?

How can we radically innovate the economic value-exchange system?

What questions should we be asking ourselves... to get our answers right?

What is the school of the future?

How do we help all people realize their vast, limitless power to create a joyful, abundant life?

How can we create more family spirit to multiply energy and results?

How can we (at the hub) support each other to create a better world?

YOUR H-UBDATE:

2008-10-28T09:12:00.004+01:00

Looking back Thank you! More than 50 people showed up on Friday Oct 10th for the Co-design Day and contributed to answering questions like: What is important in entering a space? How does workspace work for you? And, where do you want to put your coat?
Chairs, table and lamps were beautifully outlined with tape and some cardboard boxes represented other elements we envision in The Hub. It was fantastic to harvest so many nice ideas, and hopefully you'll find your realised idea back in the space very soon. Thanks for showing up to co-build The Hub!

The first Members Meet & Greet on Friday 17th was also very exciting. Great diversity! Members had the chance to ask their burning questions to themselves and to each other. At The Hub we believe in the power of asking questions, here some examples: How can we change/ innovate democracy to survive in a changing world? How will ethics become sexy? What if governments trusted the grassroots initiatives? How should we be dealing with nature? What is the school of the future?

Come to the next one to continue the networking with fellow members and innovators...

Members Meet & Greet | 31 October from 16.30 to 18.00
Join a member-to-be conversation circle and find out how we are individually and collaboratively pioneering enterprising initiatives for a radically better world. Lisette Schuitemaker, one of our social investors and long-time Amsterdam changemaker will host the conversation. Lisette is a synnervator, healer and reconnects people with themselves and each other. She is fascinated by collective intelligence and wisdom, and has been known to knock on walls of potential Hubs to test the building resilience!
Please RSVP to amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net!

Save-the-date | HubNacht on 21 November from 16.00 to 04.00
The Hub Amsterdam's very own hub-warming party, 4PM to 4AM.... Come celebrate and be surprised!! Put the date in your calendar for now, more details to come.

"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." (Thomas Jefferson)

Heartfelt Thank-you's

2008-10-28T09:09:00.002+01:00

Lots of people have been putting lots of hours into the Hub lately, so a big thank you to:

Our design team: Bruno Vermeesch, Judith Montens and Mario Tedde for working on a concept for The Hub Amsterdam, to marry the best of the Hub DNA with a Dutch design twist. Thank you for stepping in with your enthusiasm and commitment in nurturing a Hub "village" into becoming visible. (photo)

Thank you Jelle for helping us install our new recycled rubber floor, Frits for micro-sponsoring us two sustainable whiteboards, Oliver for bringing your experience from Hubs in the UK, Kwela for supporting us on our external relations, and Hub Rotterdam for sharing your experience with the nitty-gritty.

Thank you to Laura who has been helping us conceive of our hosting team concept and helping host our Co-design day and our first Hosts gathering.

Thank you for the many design+build folks who are keen to bring their creative talents into co-building the many space elements of our Hub. You'll hear more about them!

Thank you to our initial co-investors - and our members who offered The Hub social loans - for stepping forward and enabling us to to secure an amazing space in the heart of the Jordaan.

Thank you Elizabeth for hosting the storytelling of The Hub Amsterdam and to Carl for capturing our story in photographs along the way.

And so many more of you that have been part of the journey to get us here!

- with deep respect and excitement about our growing community, Tatiana, Thomas & Frederike (your interim Hub AMS management team)

Hub AMS Co-design day on our new space!

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Please RSVP to amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net so we can take care of drinks & lunch. We start at 12:00!

Hub Amsterdam has the key!

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We’ve got a community of over 230 innovators in the Amsterdam area, lots of ideas to push the envelope on social innovation in the city, a committed launch team, social loans from our community, initial investors... and now we have the key!

Welcome to The Hub @ Westerhuis!

courage. conviviality. imagination.
Join in the co-creation of your Hub!

see the fall line-up of activities on your right/below and mark your calendars!

Get involved - build your Hub!

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Co-design day - 10 October 2008 We would like to involve you in finalising the interior design. What do you want in The Hub? How will you use the space? What feelings, colours, smells, and visuals inspire you to do your world-changing work? Come co-design your Hub from 12.00 to 18.00. RSVP at amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

Come & See days in October Every Wed/Thurs/Fri from 12.00-14.00 & 16.00-18.00 You can’t wait for The Hub to open! Come & see the space, see what it might mean for you, find out about memberships and what programming is on, or just come by for coffee and a chat.

For many The Hub is only a concept. You might wonder if The Hub is made for you. Starting 1 November, we offer you the chance to experience working from The Hub.

Member Meet & Greet - 17 Oct | 31 Oct | 14 Nov @16h Join a member-to-be conversation circle and find out how we are individually and collaboratively pioneering enterprising initiatives for a radically better world. Share what you offer and what you need so you can do what you need to do best. Hosted by our social investors.

Be a Hub Host! - 17 October 2008 @14h Creating the conditions for collaboration, conviviality and imgaination is core to Hub practice. The function of the host - or community attractor and catalyser - is an important ingredient in the magic of The Hub. Come find out about the opportunities to join our Hosting team, or contact Laura at amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

Hub Nacht - 21 November 2008 Join us for the Hub-warming party from 4.00 pm to 4.00 am, with music, food, drinks, and a funky programme. And last but not least, the chance for you to co-decorate The Hub together while meeting other future members. This is your chance to contribute to the most inspiring place world-changers in Amsterdam will call home! RSVP amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

Wanna get involved? They are of course many other ways to get involved and help to make this happen. If you want to contribute something else, offer your time, hands and brains - or a hammer! - you are very welcome to contact Frederike via e-mail at amsterdam.hosts@the-hub.net or mobile (06-52112847).
And keep updated via our blog: thehubamsterdam.blogspot.com and regular H-ubdates

from idea to action - things are now moving quickly!
thank you to the many of you who have already generously contributed to making a Hub happen in Amsterdam :-)

Let's Swap!

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HUB BORREL | Swap time! | 19 Juni, 18h-20h | Club 11, Oosterdokkskade 3-5

Is er iets was je op dit moment nodig hebt? Is er iets wat je op dit moment aan wilt bieden?

The Hub Amsterdam wil op 19 juni de ruimte geven voor nieuwe uitwisselingen en verbindingen.

Er is gebleken dat er behoeften is om The Hub gemeenschap zichtbaar te maken en beter te leren kennen, met o.a de vraag: wat kan ik nu halen, wat kan ik nu brengen en wat kan ik nu delen?

Ook zonder concreet aanbod of vraag ben je van harte welkom, laat je inspireren door wat anderen doen of kom anderen inspireren.

Help iemand een stapje verder of wordt zelf geholpen.

Laat je verrassen door nieuwe ontmoetingen.

Ask for what you need! Offer what you can! It's swap time!

Hub on a Sustainable Amsterdam | report from May 7

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The Hub was invited to host a workshop at the GRI side event "AMSTERDAM REGION, a metropolitan & sustainable area. Our workshop, titled, 'The Hub as a strategy for social innovation in world cities' shared our strategy as a trans-local network of Hubs in world cities as a platform to make visible the people pioneering imaginative and enterprising initiatives for a radically better world in those cities. We offered an interactive format for participants to explore their own diversity in making change in the world, to share what they thought a collective of social innovators might offer in the face of city (and world challenges) and to offer their insights into what strategic conversations about sustainability and innovation we should be having in Amsterdam.

They shared some ideas for the Hub network of innovators to consider:
- how do we build a city that trusts itself?
- how do we enable students to learn about this at an earlier age?
- how can we create a mindshift with the masses?
- can we re-introduce the white bicycle concept again? and since Paris has done it, what can we learn from other cities?
- how can we work toward completely valued citizenship for all?

Some of our new friends from this are Green Graffiti!

Hub in the News!

2008-05-08T21:49:00.003+02:00

We worden regelmatig benaderd voor interviews en reportages. Afgelopen maand verscheen er een artikel in De Pers en waren we te horen op Business News Radio. Het artikel en de nieuwsuitzending zijn na te lezen en beluisteren op: De Pers en BNR
And also in the VLM Airlines inflight magazine, Velocity!

Hub AMS meet 'n greet | 13 April 15-17h

2008-03-18T01:38:00.004+01:00

An opportunity for us to meet and have a chat and a drink together. Join us at Jazz Sundays at Pacific Parc..."zinnenprikkelende zondagsgeluiden en prettige jazz-obscurioza". Look for the ones with the red Hub Amsterdam shirts!
Zondag 13 April 2008 | Hub meet at 15h | at the Pacific Parc, Westergasfabriek: http://www.pacificparc.nl/route/

Hub Amsterdam designteam asks potential Hub members...

2008-03-18T01:24:00.012+01:00

van informatie over toekomstige Hub-bits. Aan de hand van de antwoorden kan het designteam een pakket van eisen samenstellen voor het interieur en haar functies van The Hub Amsterdam. Take 5 minutes to complete our Survey

(If you can't read the Dutch, e-mail us at thehubamsterdam@gmail.com so we can contact you for your input)

Thank you Meg Wheatley!

2008-03-14T13:37:00.004+01:00

Margaret Wheatley joined the Hub community at Hub Rotterdam last weekend and shared her thoughts on social innovation and emergence. She inspired us to start thinking more deeply about how to create community - how to really stay together - when pioneering the "new" when the "old" system may not yet see us. She reflected, "Social entrepreneurs are basing their work on a different sert of assumptions... to serve human beings, to bring about a healthier way of living together on the planet."

We built a collective picture of what we are seeing as emerging in the Rotterdam area, and spoke of our own role - and needs - to sustain us in being ethical pioneers and innovators.

Read more about Meg's work on social innovation emergence at:
http://www.margaretwheatley.com/articles/emergence.html
She'll be back next March!

Hub AMS Design Co-creatie dag | 1 maart 2008

2008-03-14T13:04:00.007+01:00

The Hub Amsterdam visie: een plek om te werken, ontmoeten en dromen in een huiselijke, verrassende, vernieuwende omgeving, waarin iedereen en alles een plek kan krijgen om elkaar te kunnen inspireren, samen te werken, en van elkaar te leren.
We hebben nog mensen nodig voor het design-team die ons kunnen helpen met technische details, bouwen en duurzaamheid.

As a user, what is your dream for Hub Amsterdam?
"space that has energy, that welcomes" "people want to be there" "flexible use" "dynamic" "social-business lifestyle" "community connection and international connection" "a place where people take responsibility for it" "where I feel at home and experience the new every day (elements of surprise)" "a sense of timelessness" "mind-body-soul - different levels" "sustainability embedded" "an office that works!" "diversity" "inspiring" "place to eat" "different levels - dreaming to grounding" "work space but also places to connect with other people" "flow, natural rhythm" "colour, plants, physical movement, sleep" "realising our dreams in a working interior"

Check-out: what do you take from today?
"let's start the hub, create community through it" "I feel the hub is part of my rebirth" "a lot of ideas, shared connection with design team" "get rid of the old, mainstream feels heavy - ready for the new" "I realise there are things I might like in a space, and others may not" "open innovation process, we all contributed" "how to go from group of individuals to a community?" "I like the balance: learn and involve" "how to involve the community I represent?" "put the positives of culture and diversity at the forefront" "what is possible? what can we add?"

Dank u wel to our design and hosting team of the day: Suzanne, Jenske, Mario, Rens, Robert and Erik.
Watch this space for more hub space developments!

8 March: Join us for International Women's Day | Wereldvrouwendag

2008-03-07T00:49:00.006+01:00

GoodiesLive! 8 maart 2008, Rotterdam

Op 8 maart as organiseert Goodies (onze medebewoners van het Hub pand in Rotterdam) de eerste GoodiesLive! In de Van Nelle Ontwerpfabriek, ter gelegenheid van Wereldvrouwendag.
De avond start om 19 uur met een 'women support act' in samenwerking met ICCO. Goodies & ICCO willen op 'GoodiesLive!' samen met 1325 bewuste vrouwen (en mannen) de VN resolutie 1325 onder de aandacht brengen, en hun steunbetuiging uiten aan sterke vrouwen die in conflictgebieden opkomen voor hun rechten. Onder het genot van koffie en Ben & Jerry's ijs kun je tientallen leuke, sterke, interessante vrouwen ontmoeten, en genieten van een talkshow op het podium, DJ's en lekkere proeverijen. We vragen 1325 vrouwen (& mannen) de resolutie te ondersteunen, en zullen die steunbetuiging aanbieden aan minister Koenders van ontwikkelingssamenwerking.
The Hub is aanwezig samen met een van haar netwerkmentoren Margaret Wheatley en andere spannende hubwomen and men, ook jij bent welkom! Er is een gelegenheid om deel te nemen aan de meet&greet The Hub. Ga hiervoor naar www.goodies.nl/vrouwenstaansterker
Later op de avond zijn er optredens van Pete Philly and Perquisite en de internationaal bekende Belgische artiest Gabriel Rios. Het evenement wordt afgesloten met een originele en swingende afterparty met vrouwelijke DJ's.

Hub AMS member re-inventing Valentine's Day!

2008-03-07T00:34:00.007+01:00

Congratulations to Federico Hewson who having recently moved to Amsterdam from California has helped put a smile on faces this past Valentine's Day. Generating a sponsorship of 2000 flowers from a Dutch florist, involving 5 classes of schoolkids and a number of volunteers walking the Dam Square on 14 february 2008, Federico's Valentine Peace Project brings a growing annual event already in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City to Amsterdam this year. See www.valentinepeaceproject.org and help him get ready for next year!

Design Co-creation Day

2008-02-21T09:54:00.001+01:00

Entrepreneurs with purpose. Ethical pioneers. Conscious creators.
Innovators. Collaborators. Inventors.

We invite you to our first Hub Amsterdam Design Co-creation Day!
The purpose of this gathering is for (potential) Hub members to co- create a design concept version 1.0 for Hub Amsterdam. A cross-disciplinary team of creative designers has come together and will share their ideas so far in making an inviting but edgy space that encourages creative collisions. A space that reflects our values of courage, collaboration and imagination.

HOW do you work?
What does a space that inspires innovation - and provokes inspiration - LOOK like? FEEL like?
What kind of EXPERIENCE are you looking for in The Hub?

We invite you to come on March 1st to share your needs and workstyle preferences, ideas for integrating sustainability and playfulness, and your vision for what a Hub in Amsterdam space could be. Come meet others in the Hub Amsterdam network and design a Hub that works for you! The Hub inspires and supports social innovators to realise imaginative initiatives for a radically better world.

1 March 2008 | 12:30 - 17h (lunch included) at the Volkskrantgebouw, Wibaustraat 150
RSVP to thehubamsterdam@gmail.com or Suzanne van Baarsen: 06 14188427

Hub Amsterdam upcoming network meetings

2008-02-13T00:57:00.001+01:00

Hub Amsterdam | Co-creatie Dag, 1 maart 2008
Zaterdag 1 maart vind onze eerste Co-creation Day van 2008 plaats. Op deze dag willen we het design-team van The Hub Amsterdam kennis laten maken met jullie en kunnen jullie kennis maken met ons. Voordat wij gaan ontwerpen willen we graag weten wat jullie willen, nodig hebben en hoe jullie werken en ontmoeten, zodat wij de perfecte Hub-werk-en-ontmoet-omgeving kunnen creëeren. Hiervoor willen we jullie ook vragen na te denken over een aantal vragen waarover we op de Co-creation Day willen praten. Heb je zin om te komen, laat het ons weten. Mail naar thehubamsterdam@gmail.com of neem contact op met Susanne van Baarsen 06 1418 8427 Details to follow!

Hub Amsterdam meeting | 'the art of hosting a Hub' 12 March 18h
As our community grows and we move to realizing our physical space, we will need 2-3 Hub hosts. The role of the Hub host is to set an example of the Hub culture, habits and ethos in holding the community-building, coordinating the Hub membership process and services, and creating a hospitable space. The Hub Amsterdam host(s) will join this start up phase as volunteers in co-creating The Hub operations and host the community and will eventually create a job for themselves as part- and full-time Hub hosts, connecting to our hosting team in Rotterdam and hosts of Hubs around the world.

We invite you to a small meeting to explore, what is the 'art of hosting a Hub' and lay the foundation for the Hub Amsterdam hosting team. If you are interested in becoming a host, know someone ideal for the job or simply have valuable input to contribute, then join us on Wednesday March 12th at 18h, in de Pijp - RSVP to Tatiana at: tatiana@engagency.nl and she will send directions.

The Hub Rotterdam bijna open....

2008-02-13T00:51:00.000+01:00

De deuren van de Hub Rotterdam gaan open! Na maanden van
brainstormen, ontwerpen, bouwen en borrelen is het zover, de Hub Rotterdam
is operationeel. Iedereen die langs wil komen om te komen uitproberen hoe
zo'n Hub nou bevalt is van harte welkom aan de Heemraadssingel 219.
Info: rotterdam.hosts@the-hub.net

The Hub CONNECTS | 15 februari 2008 in Hub Rotterdam, 19h30-00h00
Opent The Hub in Rotterdam haar deuren met een exclusieve veiling van innovatieve, duurzaame producten. Om je kennis te laten maken met ons inspirerende netword nodigen wij je uit in ons pand aan de Heemraadsingel 219 te Rotterdam. De avond is gratis, maar de veiling organisiren we om ons startkapitaal to vergaren. Christie's hosts our auction and Hub Rotterdam hosts our launch in NL... all Hub members and friends invited - let's go Amsterdam! RSVP & contact: thehublaunch@gmail.com
Details at www.thehubrotterdam.blogspot.com

Laatste nieuws!

2007-11-01T15:17:00.000+01:00

9 november HUB-Amsterdam borrel van 17:30 tot 19:30 in De Badcuyp
Hoe is het om sociaal ondernemer in Amsterdam te zijn? Hoe gaat het met The Hub? Samen met SSO Stichting Sociaal Ondernemerschap http://www.sso.nl/ willen we iedereen die geïnteresseerd is uitnodigen te komen luisteren naar de verhalen van een aantal sociaal ondernemers. Eerste uur: presentatie en discussie, tweede uur borrel. Come meet the new SSOers! At 17:30 at the Badcuyp, Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10 in de Pijp.
2. The Hub Rotterdam is opening for business!
Hub Rotterdam welcomes its first inHUBitants (as they call themselves): Stichting Skyway, http://www.stichtingskyway.nl/. If you or anyone you know are interested in Hub Rotterdam membership, contact: thehubrotterdam@gmail.com .

As we are in the final stage of interior construction and design, the first inHUBitants will also have a unique chance to help shape their own space! Come visit us at Heemraadssingel 219, Rotterdam
3. Christie's and The Hilton present:
24 november: The Hub... and the first Dutch Social Entrepreneurs Auction!
Op zaterdag 24 november organiseren Hub Rotterdam en Hub Amsterdam in samenwerking met Christie’s een sociaal ondernemersveiling in het Hilton in Rotterdam. Tijdens de veiling worden de beste producten en diensten van sociaal ondernemers opgenomen in een catalogus en vervolgens geveild. Met de veiling wil The Hub sociaal ondernemerschap in Nederland op de kaart zetten en startkapitaal voor The Hub Amsterdam en Rotterdam inzamelen.

We hebben jouw input nodig!
Ben jij een sociaal ondernemer met een interessant product of een vooruitstrevende dienst? Omschrijf dan kort wie je bent en wat je product of dienst is en wij zorgen er voor dat jouw product op de veilinglijst en in de catalogus komt.

Als wilt worden opgenomen in de catalogus, stuur dan voor 4 november een mailtje naar: thehubamsterdam@gmail.com. Wij sturen je dan wat meer informatie over de veiling en de catalogus. En zet 24 november vast in je agenda!! Een officiële uitnodiging volgt.

4. Vragen van/aan HUB-members: The Hub Amsterdam Member Connect Corner
1- Who knows a socially oriented graphic designer in Amsterdam to help design greeting cards and/or a sustainable bio-flower grower. Please contact Federico: mailto:ricoph69@yahoo.com

2- Who knows any interior space and furniture designers who work with sustainable or waste materials. Please contact Suzannne: info@savanbaarsen.com

3- If you have any needs of your own for your socially entrepreneurial effort, please e-mail requests for the next H-UBDATE to thehubamsterdam@gmail.com
5. The Hub "Experience" on the Road
We want to create a live mini "Hub experience" at the Earth Charter Day on Nov 13th. We need 3 volunteers (and ideally someone to take the lead) on designing what this can be... Please let us know by this weekend if you are interested so you can have a first design conversation with Tatiana and Thomas. thehubamsterdam@gmail.com

6. Marketing studie sociaal ondernemen NL
Realize!, SSO en The Hub hebben een marktonderzoek ontwikkeld naar sociaal ondernemerschap in Nederland. Vul de survey in en draag bij aan het verzamelen van gegevens over sociaal ondernemerschap in Nederland. http://www.sociaal-ondernemerschap.nl/We will compile results mid-November and share highlights with the Hub community, so please take the time to complete this survey and pass it on if you haven't already!

2007-10-08T12:05:00.000+02:00

Er komt weer een HUB borrel
De kans om andere sociale innovators te ontmoeten, vanalles over The Hub te horen en lekker bij te kletsen. Kom en nodig al je sociale ondernemersvrienden ook uit om te komen. Meet social entrepeneurs, the Hub and other nice people. Come and take all your social entrepeneur friends too. Tot de 12e.

Waar: in de Badcuyp, Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10 1073 CM Amsterdam

Wanneer: 12 oktober

Hoe laat: 18.00 tot 20.00

Route: http://www.badcuyp.nl/contact.html

Het Ei van Columbus
The Hub Nederland heeft meegedaan aan Het ei van columbus, een wedstrijd voor innovatie en duurzaamheid (zie: http://www.ei-van-columbus.nl/inzendingen/inzending/178 where you will find many other interesting ideas emerging in The Netherlands as well!). Dank zij de toegewijde hulp van Hub Amsterdam en Rotterdam leden hebben we ons kunnen inschrijven voor deze wedstrijd. We zijn heel benieuwd naard e uitslag...

The Hub Amsterdam needs...
* an affordable (and ideally socially aware) notary to work with us on our statutes
* a space in central Amsterdam, 400m2 with natural light and good character that is affordable!
* to know local innovators and entrepreneurs working with sustainable interior architecture, design and furniture-making
* to raise 200.000EUR in seed capital to secure a place, design and outfit a place to be ready for you!

If you have any input/ideas/referrals, please send them to: thehubamsterdam@gmail.com

Where are the social innovators

2007-09-26T22:38:00.000+02:00

Hello to all of you Hub members and co-builders,

We've been working for some weeks on a market research study on social entrepreneurship in The Netherlands. The first step into this field is an explorative survey. We have reviewed it several times with a group of people and we feel that it's ready to be sent out into the 'field'. It's a cooperative endeavor of Realize!, The Hub and SSO (Stichting Sociaal Ondernemerschap).

Our focus is now on getting this survey to be filled out by all social entrepreneurs in Holland. By social entrepreneurs, we mainly mean founders and partners of social enterprises (however wide that definition is), but people that are in the idea phase and those that are about to launch their initiative are also very much welcomed to participate. In order to get a decent overview of social entrepreneurship in this country (something that isn't actually available anywhere yet), we need respondents of course...

That's where you all come into play!

We would like to ask you to fill in the questionnaire from the point of view of your own social enterprise (if there is one, of course) and take some time to put it through to people in your own networks.

We hope that it's going to be a buzz and our collective effort might help to reach that tipping point.

In the end, a significant number of respondents enables us to expose social entrepreneurship, a movement that has been mainly under the radar and is now surfacing bit by bit. We hope to facilitate the manifestation of this movement in society, politics and business by providing grounded facts and insights. This can be a great help to individual social entrepreneurs and innovators as well as organizations like SSO and The Hub. The survey can be found at http://www.sociaal-ondernemerschap.nl/ and it's in Dutch, by the way. Feedback is very welcome of course.

Thanks a lot,
The Hub Team, Thomas Vaassen

De vijfde collaborationday

2007-09-06T22:46:00.000+02:00

Het is tijd voor actie! De afgelopen vier collaboration days hebben we samen met de community onderzocht wat onze wensen en waarden zijn (zie http://www.hubcollaborationdays.blogspot.com/). We hebben elkaar en elkaars drijfveren beter leren kennen. En we willen meer. We willen elkaar kunnen ontmoeten, beinvloeden, we willen samen mooie projecten opzetten, we willen werken aan een radicaal betere wereld. En daarvoor daarvoor hebben we The Hub nodig.
Wie helpt ons met het zoeken naar een geschikte lokatie? Wie kent er investeerders die iets zien in ons initiatief? En wie meldt zich aan om in de Hub te gaan werken? Wie kent nog meer sociale innovators? Laat het ons weten. We kunnen iedere hulp bij het opzetten van The Hub in Amsterdam gebruiken: thehubamsterdam@gmail.com
De enthousiaste mensen die afgelopen zondag via de vlooienmarkt op het NDSM-terrein ons wisten te vinden bij Cafe Noorderlicht, gaven allemaal enthousiaste input en interessante tips. Over downloadable factsheets die nodig zijn, het starten van een yahoo group, het inzetten van De Wereldomroep en BNR, en het kraken van bedrijfsruimte. We komen steeds dichter bij het concretiseren en realiseren van onze werkruimte.

En we hopen jullie snel weer te ontmoeten. Bijvoorbeeld op de volgende borrel:

Vrijdag 14 september tussen 17.00 en 19.00 in het Ponthuys (neem de rechte pont achter het CS)

Tot dan
Het HUB team

Vijfde Collaboration Day: The Hub goes Noord

2007-08-29T21:57:00.000+02:00

Tijdens de vijfde Collaboration Day gaat The Hub een van de vier windrichtingen in Amsterdam bezoeken. We beginnen in Noord: wie zijn daar de sociale ondernemers, waar houden ze zich mee bezig en wat broeit er nog meer in Noord Amsterdam. Kom naar een van de meest creatieve plekken in Amsterdam: het NDSM terrein, naar het Noorderlichtcafe.

We hopen je 2 september te zien.

Warme groet van het Hub Team

Wanted: HUB Talents

2007-08-15T22:40:00.000+02:00

We zijn op zoek naar sociaal ondernemers die samen met ons The Hub willen vormgeven. Ondernemers die van The Hub Amsterdam hét voorbeeld van Nederlandse innovatie willen maken. Ken je zo iemand of wil je zelf een bijdrage leveren neem dan contact op met Tatiana at tatiana@engage.nu of 06 2383 7384
Wat zoeken we?

1. someone with an interest in space and real estate to take the leadon scouting possibilities for a Hub location

2. someone savvy in the area of emerging Amsterdam interior and furniture design to explore opportunities for showcasing our localinnovators while equipping the Hub with a funky but functional andsustainable look

3. someone with creative graphics experience to help us design our look forward and develop our image externally

4. someone with finance and operations experience to help us look athow to remain innovative in running the place while setting up theinfrastructure keeping things in efficient flow (and helping us understand legal-ese and government bureaucracy at times)

5. someone with business investment and fundraising expertise to develop an action plan to secure for The Hub Amsterdam the200.000EUR we need to get to launch. Join our team of volunteer entrepreneurs, putting inspiration into action.

Contact us if you are interested and able to take on one of these roles! thehubamsterdam@gmail.com

De eerste HUB borrel in Amsterdam

2007-07-29T22:43:00.000+02:00

English text below

Er komt een HUB-borrel!
Ben jij een sociale vernieuwer, een duurzame ondernemer of een andersdenkende uitvinder? En ben jij op zoek naar gelijkgestemden, naar een dynamische omgeving waar vanalles gebeurt, naar een betaalbare werkruimte voor af en toe of permanent en naar mensen die even met je mee kunnen denken?

Kom dan met ons borrelen, bijkletsen en kennismaken.
Let's Hub!

We zijn op 18 augustus van 17.00 tot 19.00 in het Ponthuys.
Buiksloterweg 3-5, oversteken met het pontje achter het Centraal Station.

We hopen je de 18de te zien!
The Hub Amsterdam team

English version

A Hub borrel is coming
Are you a social innovator, sustainable entrepreneur or out-of-the box inventor? Are you looking for affordable workspace for every now ant then or more permanently, peers who share your values, a dynamic and buzzing space and people to spar and collaborate with?

Come and drink, talk en meet with us. Let's Hub!

We are meeting eachother at the 18th of August in Het Ponthuys between 17.00 and 19.00. Buiksloterweg 3-5, cross the water with the ferry behind Central Station.

We hope to welcome you on the 18th!
The Hub Amsterdam team

The Hub Amsterdam plays the FlowGame

2007-07-23T12:43:00.000+02:00

We drew on this Danish-inspired board game that offers questions to provoke deeper conversation between players around two questions - one individual, one collective.

Click here to read all about the 4th Collaboration Day

Spelen

2007-07-20T22:35:00.000+02:00

De vierde Collaboration Day was weer heel anders dan alle vorige. Dit keer moesten we twee steile trappen bestijgen, was het broeierig en vochtig buiten, bestond de groep voor de helft uit mensen uit andere landen (Canada, Amerika, Engeland, Australie) en speelden we een spel. En hoewel de lokatie en de samenstelling van de groep steeds wisselt, blijft de sfeer steeds intens, open en energiek.
Het spel, The FlowGame, leidde onze gesprekken waardoor we het hadden over vergeving, verlies, openheid, het delen van verdriet, loslaten, grenzen en verantwoordelijkheden. De twee aanwezige kinderen van 5 jaar en van 8 weken boden zowel verdieping als afleiding en zorgden voor een extra dimensie die dag. Het verslag is vanaf volgende week te vinden onder het kopje Collaboration Days aan de rechter kant van deze blog.

Ben je een sociaal ondernemer en wil je meewerken aan het opzetten van The Hub en deelnemen aan de Collaboration Days? Neem dan contact met ons op en stuur een mail naar thehubamsterdam@gmail.com

Next Sunday: the 4th Collaboration Day

2007-07-12T22:22:00.000+02:00

Date: Sunday 15 July
Time: 13-17h
Address: Frans van Mierisstraat 47 II-IV (near Museumplein)
Program: Building and mapping our network

What is bubbling underground in Amsterdam?
Who are we as social innovators?
Who do we seek to attract to The Hub Amsterdam?
What can our membership also be?

Come and play with us The FlowGame and discover what social innovation is to each of us and to our growing collective of social entrepreneurs.

We hope to see you next Sunday.
The Hub Team

Let's Hub in Rotterdam

2007-07-03T16:41:00.000+02:00

Ook in Rotterdam komt er een Hub. Hieronder een uitnodiging om te komen kijken hoe de Rotterdamse Hub vorm krijgt!
Er komt nieuwe ruimte voor sociale en duurzame vernieuwers in Rotterdam: The Hub. Een professionele ruimte om te werken, experimenteren, ontmoeten, creëren en spelen. Ben jij een sociale vernieuwer, duurzame ondernemer of andersdenkende uitvinder? Kom dan op 5 juli tussen 17 en 21 uur bij de Heemraadssingel 221 in Rotterdam kennismaken met The Hub: wat is het concept en hoe werkt het in andere landen. Er zijn hapjes, drankjes, folders en een heleboel andere geïnteresseerde ondernemers om kennis mee te maken. Zie voor meer informatie http://www.thehubrotterdam.blogspot.com/

Laat met een e-mailtje even of je komt: thehubrotterdam@gmail.com Tot de 5de!

The Hub Rotterdam team,
Catalina, Laura, Marieke, Moraan en Ximena

3rd Collaboration Day

2007-06-28T12:38:00.000+02:00

Click here for the outcome of the 3rd Collaboration Day

Imagination Collaboration Conviviality

2007-06-28T12:21:00.000+02:00

Druipnat druppelden afgelopen zaterdag de mensen een voor een binnen. De meesten hadden de regenbui getrotseerd om de derde collaboration day van The Hub (io) bij te wonen. Iets later dan gepland zaten we in een grote kring in de huiskamer van Tatiana: dit keer waren er alleen maar vrouwen op de uitnodiging afgekomen, wat een bijzondere sfeer creeerde. En weer waren er nieuwe gezichten. Mensen die via via gehoord hadden dat er een Hub in Amsterdam komt en die nieuwsgierig waren naar het concept. Mensen die aangetrokken werden door de positieve en inspirerende energie die er rondom The Hub hangt en een bijdrage wilden leveren aan de totstandkoming van een werkplek om te werken aan een betere wereld.
Het werd weer een bijzondere middag vol imagination, collaboration en conviviality. Voor een inspirerende Nederlandse vertaling van deze drie kernwaarden lees hierboven het verslag.

Don't forget the next Collaboration Day

2007-06-19T12:40:00.000+02:00

Date: Saturday 23 June 2007,
Time: From 13-17h.

Meet at 13h at Dusartstraat 6hs (in de Pijp, near Ferdinand Bolstraat & Ceintuurbaan)
Our intention is to go to Saphartipark and do this outside - and hopefully enjoy a beautiful day.

Program:
The intent is to work, as a Hub community, on various aspects of The Hub - so that we are all contributing to building a place that all of us want to be in. It is the time when members-to-be come together to share ideas and make decisions, and most importantly get to know each other better.
Some key things we will cover in this meeting are:
- developing the purpose and principles for The Hub Amsterdam
- looking at: what else is emerging on the Amsterdam front? initiatives to connect with
- sharing ideas around our communication strategy
- sharing some ideas around the kind of space we need
- and maybe exploring hosting a Hub summer event... :-)

We hope to see you there

The Hub Team

Collaboration Day, 27 May 2007

2007-05-30T09:19:00.000+02:00

Click here for the outcome of the 2nd Collaboration Day

Our First Achievement!

2007-05-25T16:06:00.000+02:00

The Hub Amsterdam won second prize in the Zin in Zaken social entrepreneurship competition, as announced yesterday at the Social Venture Event! This means a kick-off to raising some seed capital for our initiative, and recognition for the contribution we can bring to the community. The Fair was a wonderful opportunity to offer a mini "experience" of Hub and meet potential new members and partners, and other social innovators. A special thanks to those from our Hub community who made such an effort to pull together a winning submission and who spent the day yesterday co-creating and hosting our Hub: Diederick, Frederike, Sabine, Thomas

Also a big Congratulations from The Hub to Cathelijne Lania, Link, for being the first prize winner and being a high calibre example of passion-to-the-change-the-world meets entrepreneurial ambition - we look forward to welcoming you in The Hub!

A Request!

2007-05-10T11:44:00.001+02:00

We'd like you to please send in a photo of you and a quote about what you are doing, what your needs are (in relation to your work), and what you have to offer (to other Hub members). These two competitions we got into the final rounds for mean that we have to do presentations and we'd like to highlight real-life examples of who the members can be. Pretend you are a Hub Amsterdam member: What you would post on a members' wall about who you are and what you need/offer?
For example: "I'm Tatiana and have always been intrigued by water and our tendency to take if for granted,so i started Waterlution to create media to stimulate more systemic thinking about our relationship with water. I need to find connections with other entrepreneurs dealing with societal and behavioural change towards our natural environment, and can offer you my experience in editing and storyboarding." Please send yours (in Dutch or English) to one of us by Saturday! - Tatiana & Moraan

News

2007-05-10T11:43:00.001+02:00

We are pleased to share that Janneke and team's IJden plan for use of the Tolhuistuin space (which The Hub Amsterdam was proposed as a part of) has been selected among the top 3 of 70 plans submitted! Keep up to date here: http://plan.tolhuistuin.nl/

We are also pleased to share that we have submitted the Hub Amsterdam as a proposal for funding into the Zin in Zaken contest - and have made the final 6 (of 60 submitted!) so we will keep you posted...

Join us on 24 may at De Dag van het Sociaal Ondernemen, in het Sieraad. Register (free) for the conference at: www.zininzaken.nl under Conferentie.

Next Steps

2007-05-10T11:42:00.000+02:00

In conversation with those of you who enthusiastically followed up, and looking at the priorities that were surfaced that day, we propose the following next steps:

1. Establish regular Collaboration Days - so you know when we can meet and come when you can, but we get a regular working pattern going for ourselves in Amsterdam
We propose monthly collaboration days for the next 4 months so that we can juggle around in our busy schedules and still keep momentum between whoever can show up when... Save the dates in your calendar! (location TBD)

Sunday 27 May 13-17h
Saturday 23 June 13-17h
Sunday 15 July 13-17h
Saturday 18 August 13-17h

We are alternating between Saturdays and Sundays to make the most of available time; we can also self organise as needed during the week/weekdays in between as we like or is needed. We will also alternate locations to experience parts of what can make a Hub: the workspace, the cafe, the home, the public space. If you want to co-host a day, please let Tatiana know!

2. Pursue key 'research' areas needed:
a) how do we find and reach out to more social entrepreneurs (people actually about to or recently starting a social enterprise) who would be that ideal user of The Hub Amsterdam?
b) what funding opportunities exist that we should we be aware of and get our facts ready for?
c) who/what are interesting local designers (for space and graphics)/creatives/potential partners for the physical space that we might want to know about in thinking what a funky & sustainable Hubspace may look like?

So for those who feel most passionate about these areas (and have time), let Tatiana know... so she will put you in touch with each other to start mini teams of maybe 2-3 to start collecting ideas/information to feed into the community so that we really start to build something together.

3. We mentioned on the Collaboration Day that we will start experimenting with The Hub time model as a way to create also a clear value exchange between the Hub-in progress and community - so the time you put into the Hub work now will count as time credit for the Hub when it launches. Collaboration day participants logged 5.5 hours already each! (it was such a beautiful sunny day...)

Work-day Output

2007-05-07T11:30:00.000+02:00

The 28th was a 'working day' for those that were present at Het Veemtheater for making the next steps in putting The Hub Amsterdam into reality. But not a regular working day, as we had lunch in the sun, circle conversations and stories on how The Hub London was born. But yes, there was also work to do! To get a picture of what went on, here's some of the output from that day.

Present were:

Check-in: Why are you here?

Create beautiful place to meet
Want to see a Hub in A’dam
Love to make it happen
Want to work in the Hub
Start to really build
I feel connected
I need a place to work
There is a big need
To see the possibilities

Moraan gave us some input on how The Hub Rotterdam had been and is evolving:
Enviu (network of social entrepreneurs) connected with the Hub. The idea: to try out the concept in a smaller space first and then gradually work towards a bigger Hub space in Rotterdam. It took on a partnership with KaosPilots, the school for Social Innovation from Denmark that launches this September. Philips and TU Delft said they want to try out offices of the future in the Hub.

Jonathon, one of the founders of The Hub, told the story of how The Hub started out in London:
How it all started: Year 2000 was a symbolic moment, a moment for asking the BIG Questions. Couple of friends organized a music venue, a creative intervention with great and inspiring souls, and gather them around the state of the world. They created then ‘Space PLC’, a corporate consultancy hoax, and hired an actor to play he CEO role. They went on to campuses to ‘recruit the best’, basically made fun of the whole big corporate recruitment circus. The questioned the mainstream and were struggling with alternative routes: How to foster confidence in moving beyond the mainstream? Reaction to that was: LOVE IT, BUT PROVE IT!

The Hub borrowed the best of the space they like, for a unique new habitat. Hub creates the unique unlikely collisions. It took a while to find the space and 6 months to clear it. The Hub London opened in January 2005. The Hub has 20 people in the founding community, and has been visited by 4000 people in the last 2 years. The time based model creates easy access, and fills the space. The high density makes it work financially.
GIVE & GET balance is very important in the Hub.

The first brainstorm was about Hub Members: Who are they?

Raising the big questions or doing something about it
Creative, Playful, Bold: Imagineers
Self-aware, Conscious, Spiritual practitioners
Social entrepreneurs, Business in social purpose, Responsible businesses
Concrete dreamers, Realistic idealists
Social, Engaged, Passionate, Open-hearted
People who dare to think like children
Focus: Working from a sense of direction
Diversity in disciplines, culture and age
Financially sustainable
Inviting the unexpected
Learners: Balanced, Persistent
Innovators, Experimenters, Change-makers, Risk-takers
Surprisingly unconventional Big thinkers
Networkers, World connectors, Collaborators

The second brainstorm dealt with the question: What will our Hub be like?

Office of the future, in the social sense
Decent and cutting-edge office equipment, Supplies, Kitchen (dishwasher, espresso machine), Wireless equipment, Storage security
New and old furniture, Clean toilets, Furniture: sustainable, unique and mobile
Views on nature, water, city
Local and Global feel, Dutch design, Sense of history/story, Symbolism with/ in context
Plants, Rooftop garden
Library, Message board
Hammock, Fat Boys
Personal objects, Members initiatives & designs, Mate: symbol for things to share with each other
Café, Organic food
Private break out, Meeting space, Wild space, Quiet space for calls, Stage, Wall space (who is who board with pictures)

The Open space Conversations that were hosted in the afternoon covered the following topics:

Hub and Hub world: structure & finance
Venture development support
Hub network
Operational day to day support
What are Hub events?
How to find a building?
What is our timeline?
How to build the community?

As you can see, the 28th was a very Hub-like day, socially and entrepreneurially! Let's keep it up!

IJDEN with the last three!

2007-05-07T11:12:00.000+02:00

The Hub Amsterdam collaborates with IJDEN. IJden aspires to create an inspiring world at The Tolhuistuin, a beautiful lush area just across Amsterdam Central Station, on the riverbanks of Het IJ. The Tolhuistuin is currently inhabited by Shell, but will be open as of april 2008. Right now, several plans have been competing in a sort of 'beauty contest' to get a hold of the key next year. Janneke Verwey en Wytze Kuijper are initiators of IJden and they have attracted a number of partners, like The Hub. More on IJden can be found here.

Of the fifty plans that were competing, IJden is part of the last three. May 14th, they will be able to present their plan for the jury and June 15th, the final predicament will be announced. If IJden wins, The Hub Amsterdam will have a fantastic space as of summer 2008, within a setting that is a host to several other successful social enterprises and activities. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Next steps in The Art of Hubmaking

2007-04-12T15:12:00.000+02:00

We have defined some next steps in our hub-journey:

(1) Regularly check this weblog (and add to it yourself by sending text to: thehubamsterdam @ gmail punt com.

(2) A full-on Hubmaking work-day on april the 28th 10³⁰ to 16⁰⁰ Together we will look at the values and principles for us as Hub Amsterdam. Plus we will spend time on a couple of essential elements in building a Hub, where you get a taste of all domains and then pick on to focus on in the afternoon. We will have a couple people from Hub Rotterdam around (which just had it's official launch.., when will be the Rotterdam Hub-warming party, Moraan?) and an inspiring guest from the Hub London to share the story on how the Hub started out some years ago.

In the meantime, please look at!...

IJden - a proposal for an inspiring place at the Tolhuistuin that The Hub was invited to submit with: http://www.tolhuistuin.nl/

Hub Rotterdam Blog: http://thehubrotterdam.blogspot.com/
(you are welcome to come help build the Hub there - literally! See the workdays schedule!)

Harvest From the First Meetings

2007-04-12T14:43:00.000+02:00

March the 21st and April the 5th the first meetings were held that officially initiated The Hub Amsterdam , and showed: the timing couldn't be better. Socially entrepreneurial Amsterdam is craving for vibrant and creative workspace based on flexible membership.

Here is the 'harvest' from these first two meetings, seeding our further development into a flourishing Amsterdam Hub. Meanwhile, partner Hubs are popping up around the globe.

Who was there?

March 21:
> Alain Volz
> Barbara Putman Cramer
> Diederick Janse
> Dieuwertje Damen
> Esther Verburg
> Frederike Vos
> Hubertine Roessingh
> Janneke Verwey
> Jeroen Maes
> Maartje Wierenga
> Marieke Ebbing
> Patrice van Riemsdijk
> Roel Piera
> Roos Moll
> Tatiana Glad
> Tip Atkins Moore
> Thomas Vaassen

plus April 5:
> Sabine Draaijer
> Ad Hordijk

who are we and what brought us here...??

> "we work from home and now need real office space"
> "what does a place look like that aligns with the way I work?"
> "it is time this movement starts becoming more visible, for us to find each other"
> "how to make entrepreneurship relevant to CSR, sustainability and development issues"
> "Amsterdam is on the edge, there is emergence in so many areas..."
> "an exciting experiment!"

Tatiana shared thoughts on 'The Hub Essences'?
> Attraction (not marketing)
> Time-based (so a shared sense of whole space)
> Connecting the dots (people and resources)
> Room for the individual and the collective expression/initiative
> The role of the Host / Hosting the space and connections
> Diversity and cross-disciplines
> Ideally part of an eco-system (relationship with local community)
> Part of an international constellation of Hubs
> Lifestyle choice (we build it for us, the way we want to work/live)
> It works! (technical aspects too)
> Creates the conditions for serendipity and emergence...

We had an open conversation about what a Hub could be to us, with some key themes emerging around:
> The history of Amsterdam, trade, free-thinkers, social innovation
> Non Western entrepreneurs - really creating a Hub from diversity of approaches and cultures
> What kinds of businesses do we want to see started, what is the potential impact of these businesses?
> Motivating young people, as the next generation of social entrepreneurs
> Creating an environment aesthetically different, "cool" and an atmosphere that works for us, comfortable
> The benefit of being part of a global constellation of Hubs - and the gift of Hub Amsterdam/NL to the global
> Underground movements going mainstream, sense of practicality, strong voluntary work ethic, diversity, cross-disciplinary thinking

plus from 05 april:
> Amsterdam as a hub of creativity in the arts, architecture, communication, branding; experience with creative "hubs" already
> Internationalism: on the rise, more hotels being built (Oosterdockseiland)
> Dynamism, movement and rapid turnover of the population (every 5 years a majority of population changes)
> Water in the city: represents flow, intuition, nature and emotion. "it forces you to take other ways"
> Large population of singles, interested in meeting other people, per cent of leisure time higher
> History of tolerance, spaces to talk about this, discover the next level
> High sense of quality of life/work in NL: people want balance, leisure time, attracted to the "new"
> Accessibility to so many things in small space, density, use of space
> Lots of small companies, start-ups, entrepreneurial flair, at some point people need to move out of houses and find space to work on start-up, become visible
> Positive engagement, a "can do" attitude
> Platform to experiment - allowed to fail; failure=learning
- MVO/challenges of large companies - people in these companies become isolated, need to get engaged, exposed to the new, and step out of their own "system"
> Experience with re-defining a physical area, giving it character i.e. Noord is next emergent place to bet
> Social impact of the entrepreneur can be visible in a city this size

We then all offered our current burning questions and some areas we would be interested to contribute to in developing a Hub Amsterdam:

The Questions:
> can the Hub play a role in supplying services/input to the City?
> what's in it for me?
> what makes the Hub special/unique?
> how do we stimulate an AMS footprint?
> how does the Hub safeguard our positive flow/action?
> what is the organisation form? (foundation, enterprise)
> what is the ownership model?
> what will be the relation with other sustainability networks/incubators?
> how to stay in touch with this (and the next) group?
> are we going to have our own social meeting point? (pub, swimming pool)
> how does the time sharing concept work out, physically and financially?
> where is the Hub going to be and how many people will be using it?
> how can the Hub bring other networks together? (i.e. La Luz, csr-chicks/blokes, bethechange)
> how to work together with other initiatives?
> how can the Hub be a space to find knowledge not only in the minds but also on paper (databases, workshops)?
> how can we build a network of inspiring (young) talented people?
> how can we really find and involve diversity in the Hub? (gender, generational, cultural)
> in what way does the Hub contribute to poverty alleviation and other global developmental problems (MDGs)?
> when does the Hub open?
> how do we recognise 'sweat equity" and all the contributions that go into this?
> what socially entrepreneurial initiatives/entrepreneurs in Amsterdam do we want to invite into this conversation/work with?
> what is the vision for what it actually can look like?

Plus from 05 april:
> when will the Hub be there? what is our deadline?
> who is "leading"?
> how do we hold the integrity of this vision as we move into the world?
> how do we design our own feedback loop on (1) the impact we are having? (2) what we are seeing emerge from that impact?
> how to create a local expression of this local (and global) vision?
> how did they do it in London? what are the lessons learned?
> how much money do we need?
> how do we make a business model that works?
> who is this for? not for?
> who wants to do what?
> who else do we need to find/reach/involve/ask in to bring diversity?

The Offers/Interests fell in these clusters:

a) Network / recruit members & partners (connections to other networks)
(Roel, Patrice, Esther, Alain, Hubertine, Marieke, Diederick, Roos, Barbara, Maartje, Tatiana)
and with: Positioning/communications (Patrice, Diederick)

b) Plan/ business model/concept
(Esther, Patrice, Thomas. Alain, Diederick, Frederike, Maartje, Tatiana, Sabina, Ad)
- we can also draw on the offers relating to deepening our connection with Context:
- connection to the City (Roel)
- in terms of global and sustainability issues (Hubertine, Dieuwertje)
- Amsterdam as the innovative and sustainable capital of the world (Jeroen)
and with: Positioning/communications (Patrice, Diederick)

c) Financing insight
(Roel, Marieke, Maartje)

d) Programming/ventures
(Patrice)
- Hub as part of IJden plan for the Tolhuistuin (with Janneke)

e) Hosting/Infrastructure (Tip)
&IT innovation (Roel)

f) Interior design/decor
(Esther, Diederick, Dieuwertje, Marieke)
- possible artist for interior design to recommend (Roos)
- room for a creche? (Tip, Sabina)

g) Our group connection/blog/hosting our process
(Thomas, Tatiana, Frederike, Sabina)
- hosting another meeting (Maartje)

We will take time to dive deeper into the issues, questions and suggestions raised during these first meetings. Please feel very free to add to this by sending an e-mail to thehubamsterdam@gmail.com.

Thanks to all of you who were there and generously shared their ideas. As Tatiana mentioned, we made the first steps in creating a 'founding community' of members!

Till next time,
Thomas

So The Story Begins... (or commences?)

2007-03-31T16:16:00.000+02:00

What is The HUB?
The Hub is an incubator for social innovation. It offers membership of inspirational workspaces in office buildings in major world cities for social innovators to work, meet, learn, connect and realise progressive ideas. The Hub is a place for making things happen; containing all the facilities needed to cultivate an idea, launch a project, host a meeting and run a business. The Hub is already located in London, Johannesburg, Bristol and Sao Paulo, with current projects starting in Mumbai and Rotterdam.

The Hub community design strategy will produce physical office space for a multi-disciplinary membership base and network. This space will encourage openness and creativity, and offer blended values (social, environmental and financial) locally as well as internationally. We see great potential for The Hub to support social and sustainable innovators to realise initiatives for a radically better world.

International Website
http://www.the-hub.net/