Working Group Updates

The Space Working Group has been busy preparing a suitable space for The Hub Helsinki. If you want to contribute to this understandably time-consuming process, do get in touch with Harri Juntunen (harri.juntunen@hubhelsinki.fi).

As you’re reading this blog, you’re already familiar with the work of the Communications Working Group. Behind the scenes we’ve been working on defining our target groups and outcomes for each target group. We’re also in search of the right networks, both online and offline.

The Products and Members Working Group has tried to figure out what services we can offer our members and how that might differentiate us from similar offerings. We can build on the experiences from the global Hub network and add our own Helsinki spice to it.

Going Forward

We’ve got a visit from Hub Global in the works. This should give us a good kick forward. Stay tuned for more information!

We’ll be meeting every Monday evening at 5pm, continuing the conversations from here. In the mean time, get in touch with the Working Group coordinators and see how you can contribute to making The Hub Helsinki a reality.

Here is just a quick discussion starter for the HUB funding. First item is that we need it, and we need quite a lot of it. In UK Hubs have purchased their own properties, renovated them and then opened. Budgets have been huge, renovation alone has cost a few hunder thousand pounds. Similar figures are in the business plans in the US. Our plans so far are much more modest but we do need to raise around 100,000 euros for rents, renovation work, furniture, infrastructure, staff etc. Of course, the proven business model demonstrates that the HUB is a sustainable business, i.e. it brings in enough money to fund itself once it is up and running.

We have had a great relationship with city of Helsinki when we have been talking about space, they have also shown enthusiasm in partnering with us, which is great. It also makes sense as we share the goals: support social innovations, co-.working, international collaboration. You name the box in the city strategy, we tick it.

Now, the start-up funding for the HUB will come from us members, public funding sources and supportive individuals and foundations. We have been approaching several funders but this is slowly progressing stuff. If you know any funding sources and would like to help, do get in touch. We are interested in ideas of course, but much better is if you know someone who can set up a meeting for us or if you want to volunteer in writing an application, that would be great.

With regards to partners we welcome anyone who shares the advancement of social innovations through innovative space and social enterprises to partner with us. But the HUB can also work with client partners whose goals are compatible with ours. We are talking to several organisations in both groups. Suggestions from the community would also be welcomed.

Cheers for now

Antti

Goals

The initial goals for the Communications WG are as follows:

• Target groups for communication and a desired end result for each group defined
• A suitable palette of communication channels chosen for each group
• Minimal principles and responsibilities agreed upon for communication

After these goals have been met, we will revisit the need for the WG and see how we will operate going forward.

Current Situation

At the moment we do not have any defined target groups and the communication has been fairly ad hoc although plentiful. I’m sure many of you have already noticed, but we’ve been using these channels, among others:

• This blog
• Twitter (@hubhelsinki)
• A Facebook group
• The space itself

There’s also been unofficial conversations happening all over the place, e.g. on Qaiku.

How You Can Contribute

I invite you to post your input on the goals mentioned above in the comments. And if you feel you’re up to it, you’re also most welcome to join the Communications Working Group. If you’re interested, just drop me an email at janne.asmala@hubhelsinki.fi. Hope to see you at The Hub!

P.S. Did you know that you can also subscribe to this blog via email? Simply enter your email address at the top of the page to stay posted.

• What are the products and services Hub Helsinki will be offering? And to whom?
• Which are chargeable and which are free?
• Which are for co-op members only (I’d hope none) and which are for all interested in Hub (I’d hope all).
• Which should help working, meeting, learning, connecting….?
• Which products and services should help facilitate aspiring entrepreneurs?
• Which should facilitate the discussion on general Hub agenda of social, cultural and environmental challenges?

Quite fundamental, interesting and perhaps leading questions…

Nevertheless, if anyone feels like contributing to the task ahead, please feel free to send me an email at sami.oinonen@hubhelsinki.fi or leave a comment to this short post.

The first working group meeting will be held at the Hub at 7pm on Thursday, October 8th.