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Impact Hub Network, based in Vienna, Austria, operates a global network of over 100 impact hubs across five continents, providing coworking spaces, incubators, accelerators, and communities for entrepreneurs focused on social and environmental change. The organization connects its more than 16,000 members, present in over 65 countries, to partners, investors, large organizations, and the public sector, aiming to amplify impact and foster a regenerative economy. Employing between 201 and 500 staff, the network functions as a collectively owned and governed entity, utilizing a social franchise-like model with shared practices. Alfredo Villalonga serves as Co-Managing Director of Network Success. Impact Hub Network was founded in 2005 by a group of young graduates from Atlantic College. Its business model centers on operates as a collectively owned and governed network of locally founded hubs using a social franchise-like model with shared practices, membership fees, events, and services, specific revenue details unknown.
Key people at Impact Hub Network.
Impact Hub Network was founded in 2005 by Branislav Šmidt (Co-Founder and Director) and Mike Thompson (Director and Co-Founder, London).
Impact Hub Network is a global, decentralized network of over 120 Impact Hubs in 60+ countries, functioning as coworking spaces, incubators, and innovation centers for social entrepreneurs and "Impact Makers" committed to building a just and sustainable world where business serves people and the planet.[1][2][4] Its mission centers on inspiring, connecting, and enabling entrepreneurs, innovators, large organizations, investors, and policymakers through entrepreneurial support and cross-sector collaboration, with a focus on climate action, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).[1][3][4] Rather than traditional investment, it accelerates impact enterprises via ecosystem building, programs, and partnerships, fostering job creation (thousands since 2012) and inclusive growth for underrepresented groups like women, migrants, youth, and low-income entrepreneurs.[2][3][4]
The network's "inverted franchise" model empowers local hubs to own stakes in the core organization, sharing ~2% revenue while generating income from memberships, events, training, and mentorship—prioritizing social impact over financial gain.[5] This has scaled to 500,000+ Impact Makers across 100+ cities, amplifying regenerative economy solutions amid global sustainability trends.[2][4]
Impact Hub began in 2005 as a single coworking space in London, created to connect, collaborate, and accelerate ideas for social good, quickly evolving into a global movement of entrepreneurial action.[1][3][5] By 2011, 15 hubs co-founded the Impact Hub Association, expanding to 100+ hubs in 60+ countries and rebranding to emphasize positive social and environmental change.[2] Key evolution included empowering global impact from 2011-2018 and advancing toward Vision 2030, focusing on trust, courage, collaboration, and innovative solutions for a "radically better world."[2]
No single set of founders is highlighted; instead, it's a community-driven network grown bottom-up, with local hubs making strategic decisions collectively.[5] Pivotal moments include 15+ years of catalyzing enterprises, issue-based ecosystem building, and recent reports showcasing measurable impact like new businesses and jobs.[3][4]
Impact Hub rides the wave of purpose-driven business and the regenerative economy, aligning with global shifts toward sustainability, ESG investing, and impact entrepreneurship amid climate crises and inequality.[1][4][5] Its timing leverages rising demand for cross-sector partnerships—connecting startups to corporates like Swisscom and AXA—fueling mindful innovation in a post-pandemic world prioritizing resilience and equity.[5] Market forces like corporate sustainability mandates and impact investing growth (e.g., venture services tie-ups) favor its model, influencing the ecosystem by building issue-based alliances that drive policy, procurement, and scalable solutions.[1][4][8]
As a multiplier for social tech and green innovation, it democratizes access for diverse founders, countering tech's traditional homogeneity and accelerating real-world applications in social enterprises.[3][5]
Impact Hub is poised to expand its 120-hub network further, deepening Vision 2030 through AI-enhanced collaborations, expanded procurement, and ecosystem building around urgent issues like climate and equity—potentially reaching more cities and Impact Makers.[2][4][7] Trends like corporate net-zero goals and DEI regulations will amplify its role, evolving it from spaces to orchestration platforms for the impact economy. Its influence may grow by proving purpose scales profit, inspiring hybrid models that blend local agency with global leverage—turning today's network into tomorrow's backbone for sustainable innovation.[1][4] This cements its origin as a London experiment into a enduring force for a world where business truly serves all.
Impact Hub Network was founded in 2005 by Branislav Šmidt (Co-Founder and Director) and Mike Thompson (Director and Co-Founder, London).
Key people at Impact Hub Network.
