Today we are in the company of Anna Manicone, Community & Communications Manager of Impact Hub srl Società Benefit (IH SB). Impact Hub is part of a global network dedicated to impact-driven innovation, with a focus on entrepreneurial development from early stages to international scaling. With Impact Hub, we have carried out several bee- and biodiversity-themed collaborations, so that together we can do something concrete for our Planet.
Who are you and what role do you play in the company? What is Impact Hub all about?
Hi, I am Anna, Community & Communications Manager of Impact Hub srl Benefit Society.
Impact Hub srl Società Benefit (IH SB) is part of the largest global network supporting the impact-driven innovation world in entrepreneurial development from early stages to international scaling. IH SB is BCorp and Certified Incubator of startups with high potential for environmental, social and cultural impact, active in Italy since 2012. All incubation and acceleration programs include mentoring and training to startups and SMEs. Alongside customized programs tailored to the needs of entrepreneurial projects, each year IH SB launches IH Acceleration.
IH SB is active in angel investing through managing the operations of two business angel groups: Angels4Impact and Angels4Women, the first group of women angels in Italy that invests in startups founded and led by women, in partnership with AXA Italy. IH SB provides open innovation and scouting services for corporations that need to innovate their business by drawing on startup methodologies or models. IH SB is also a coworking space and event location with three locations in the cities of Milan, Florence and Turin. The community consists of about 500 people, including startups and SMEs, investors, business angels, mentors, experts and professionals in different fields.
What are your values, especially in the areas of environmental, social, and economic sustainability? What positive impact do you want to make on your industry, the local area, the community around you?
The values of the Impact Hub global network are:
1) Trust: we trust each other to do what we say we will do. We may have different approaches, but we share an underlying positive intention and set of values.
2) Collaboration: we believe that collaboration is at the heart of solving the problems of our time. We welcome diversity and can collaborate with like-minded organizations to make a meaningful difference.
3) Courage: we have the courage to walk the path less traveled. We honor the past and pioneer new solutions.
The impact we generate comes from the environmental, social and cultural impact startups we incubate each year (+250 startups accompanied since 2012, the year the incubator was founded) and the impact startups we invest in (+35 portfolio startups) through the IH Acceleration program.
What actions can a company like Impact Hub take in order to achieve its sustainability goals?
Impact Hub Ltd. is a Benefit Company and as such it is a company that yes seeks profit, but has as its predominant activity the creation of a positive impact on people and the environment.
These types of companies, are an expression of a regenerative business paradigm. Unlike traditional companies, Benefit Societies integrate in their corporate purpose, in addition to profit goals, the purpose of having a positive impact on society and the environment. The status of a Benefit Corporation enables companies to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, measure and improve performance, attract and retain talent, save and improve the bottom line, inspire investors, belong to a global movement of like-minded leaders, and drive change forward.
How did the partnership with Beeing come about? How did the idea of adopting a corporate beehive come about?
Beeing is one of the startups in the Impact Hub Benefit Company portfolio. The proposal to adopt a corporate hive came directly from the Beeing team and we could not refuse the invitation. After careful evaluation, our choice fell on Bee Happy by Francesca Bresciani, a beekeeper from Brescia, a great lover of honey and a nectar sommelier. We chose Bee Happy because we want to support an entrepreneurial initiative enthusiastically carried out by a woman. Moreover, the name identified for the business is an invitation to be happy, a positive message that we want to launch and extend to our Community.
Was the project successful in engaging employees? Did it stimulate employees to take action to protect the environment?
Yes, we tried to raise awareness of the issue among our Hubbers. In fact, at Christmas 2023, we planned to give away a jar of Beeing honey to our Turin Hubbers. We have also given visibility to the Beeing project both on our blog and on our social channels to stimulate our community of followers as well.
What are your future plans to further expand or improve the project?
We would like to install an urban beehive in the garden of our coworking space in Milan but due to security issues we will not be able to realize this dream. We will continue to support Beeing in its activities to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation.
What is the key message you would like to convey to other companies or organizations wishing to undertake similar environmental sustainability initiatives? What are the key steps you would advise them to follow to be successful?
We recommend becoming a Benefit Corporation because it represents an opportunity for companies to grow and a great chance to change by changing the world.
In conclusion, Anna told us about the importance and effectiveness of being a Benefit Society, emphasizing how Impact Hub Ltd. Benefit Society is creating meaningful change through impact-driven innovation and support for startups and SMEs.
The example of the partnership with Beeing and the corporate beehive initiative demonstrate how even the simplest actions can raise awareness and engage a broader community. The key message for other companies is clear: embracing the Benefit Corporation model represents not only an ethical choice, but also an opportunity for growth and differentiation in the marketplace. Thank you, Anna, for sharing Impact Hub’s vision and activities with us, inspiring other organizations to follow a path of sustainability and positive impact!