Impact Hub Taiwan's founder, Oliver, once said, "Impact Hub is DOMI, and DOMI is Impact Hub!" One is a social enterprise exchange space, and the other is a sustainable social enterprise. So, how do these two connect?
Innovative Exchange: IMPACT HUB Provides Space for Idea Exchange and Entrepreneurship
Impact Hub originated in London in 2005, and over the past decade, it has established 82 locations globally. In 2015, a group of young people brought its philosophy to Taipei. Their core value is "innovative exchange," offering professionals a space to swap ideas and become part of a global network.
"One dollar for one dollar, you still have one dollar; but one idea for another, and you now have two ideas," says Impact Hub partner Wendy with a smile.
The Impact Hub team has transformed an old house in the Da'an District into a concept exchange studio, renting it out for art exhibitions and small, unplugged music performances. Each space is named innovatively; for example, the second floor is called 'Greenhouse', symbolizing a place where each person exchanging ideas is like a unique seedling, capable of growing into distinct innovative talents under this nurturing environment. The ground floor's 'Caffeine Station' sells coffee, suggesting that with the infusion of caffeine, new ideas can continuously emerge.
A Shared Vision Brings People Together, Aiming to Inspire More
Oliver met DOMI's one of the founding gardeners, Brandon, during a social enterprise course. Initially unfamiliar with LED lights, Oliver decided to entrust the replacement of Impact HUB’s lighting entirely to DOMI Earth after Brandon introduced him to the types, brightness, and carbon reduction effects of LEDs. "At that time, the decorator was so impressed with the quality of DOMI Earth’s LED lights that he personally ordered 200 tubes," Oliver recalls confidently.
The visions of Impact Hub and DOMI Earth both aim to provide a 'home': one gives those on the path of social innovation a sense of belonging like that of a home, and the other aims to protect the Earth—our common and only home for humanity. They believe that by working together towards a common goal, they can create the greatest value, with 1+1=2, expanding their social impact and influencing more people around them.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Impact Hub and where did it start?
- Impact Hub originated in London in 2005 and has grown to 82 locations globally. A group of young people brought its philosophy to Taipei in 2015, building on the core value of "innovative exchange" — a space for professionals to swap ideas within a global network.
- How did Impact Hub Taipei and DOMI Earth come to work together?
- Impact Hub founder Oliver met DOMI founding gardener Brandon during a social enterprise course. After learning about the types, brightness, and carbon-reduction effects of LEDs, Oliver entrusted Impact Hub's entire lighting replacement to DOMI Earth.
- What shared vision connects Impact Hub and DOMI Earth?
- Both aim to provide a "home" — Impact Hub gives social innovators a sense of belonging, while DOMI Earth works to protect the Earth as humanity's shared home. Together they expand their social impact.