Bombay HUB: More fruitful than Facebook

There is money to be had in harnessing social networks. Just ask the people working in Silicon Valley.

Most of the exciting platforms for social networking are being created online and most -- like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace -- are big profit-making companies in the private sector. Back on the ground, however, the so-called social sector has been busy with a new social platform.

In Mumbai it's called Bombay HUB.

Last June, UnLtd India, an organization that supports non-profit start-ups, opened the Bombay HUB as part of its effort to strengthen socially minded organizations. Alex Baine, 29, a Brit who is part of the team running the Bombay HUB, explains, "We offer people a physical space in which collaborative relationships can be fostered between people who are passionate about social change."

Located in Bandra near Mount Mary Church, the Bombay HUB spans 1,700 square feet and offers workstations for 24 people at any given time.

Modeled on The HUB in the United Kingdom, the organization has everything a standard office would include: printers, meeting rooms, wireless Internet and work-related facilities. This doesn't mean that any rent-paying individual can come and use the space, though. 

"There is a misconception that the Bombay HUB is just for entrepreneurs or people who need flexible office space. It's more than that -- it's about creating a community of people willing to share their skills to form a better world," says Baine.

What does the Bombay HUB do?

The way it works, is that an individual who is interested in social change meets with the Bombay HUB to discuss whether or not there is a "match" between the two parties, a process ascertained by a person's skill set and interest in social issues. 

Membership rates are then agreed based on the financial situation of the individual and their hourly use of the space. After joining, members are then expected to participate in the community, usually in the form of sharing skills.

"A website designer may not necessarily be running a non-profit business, but he could lend his skills to those who are directly involved with social enterprises," says Baine.

The broader the skill set of the community, the better it is for all, goes the logic.

The Bombay HUB currently has 25 members, who are involved with issues as diverse as freedom of expression to water sanitation. Most members initially heard about the organization through word-of-mouth, as they do not advertise membership.

Being a Bombay HUB member means that when you arrive at work, you never know who you'll meet or what might come out of it: "People meet here unexpectedly, and ideas and partnerships emerge naturally," says Baine. "One freelance photographer recently met someone at the HUB and ended up taking photographs all over India for their portfolio as a result. There are many similar stories."

To facilitate effective networking between its members, the Bombay HUB employs 'hosts' who engage the members and try to facilitate connections. The hosts are also -- crucially -- around for when the printer jams or other office-related problems.

As can be expected, the Bombay HUB center is always abuzz with activity.

Last year alone they organized more than 40 events and welcomed over 1,200 Mumbaikars into the space. The events, which have included thought-provoking film screenings, live music on a terrace and debates, provide opportunities for members to meet a variety of interesting individuals, raise the profile of their company and raise funds. 

"One particularly successful event was the screening of 'Darius Goes West,' a documentary about a teenager afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We had a Skype connection with the film director and raised a modest amount of money for the cause as a result," Baine says.

Will it really make the world a better place?

With bucket-loads of enthusiasm, talent and good-willed events, Bombay HUB has undoubtedly enriched Bandra and Mumbai's life. But will this be enough to bring about meaningful social change? And how does one go about measuring that social impact anyway?

Baine says, "To get an indication of how things are progressing we can, for example, check the financial stability of the start-ups based at the HUB and see how sustainable they are, or count the number of members who graduate from Bombay HUB because they out grow our facilities."

Although the organization has not yet reached the point of breaking even and is still fine-tuning its ability to track progress, perhaps its greatest achievement to date is reclaiming the concept of social networking from the big corporates and applying it to those who need it most.

Bombay HUB, 4th floor, Candelar Building, 25 St. John Baptist road, near Mount Mary Steps, Bandra (W); tel. +91 (0) 22 3222 0475. They are open Monday to Friday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Email bombay.hub@unltdindia.org for membership info.