Our story
Building locally rooted and globally connected entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale since 2013.
We create supportive spaces for the courageous individuals who dare to dream, create, and push boundaries.
Our impact journey
For a just and sustainable world where business and profit are used in service of people and planet.
2010
September
Hermes and Ana, future HuB Zagreb co-founders, facilitated a workshop on innovating education in Zagreb for a group of changemakers where they met another one of the future HUB Zagreb co-founders.
December
Ana, Duška, Hermes, Miljenka, Jasmina and Vesna, HUB Zagreb co-founders sent a letter of intention to join the HUB Global Network.
2011
March
Our first public HUB cafe in Booksa where we started to share our HUB Zagreb vision with the public and to build a community!
July
2 day Art of hosting training was held in Zagreb, co-organized and co-hosted with our fellow HUB Amsterdam.
September
We sent in our official application and feasibility study to HUB Global Network for approval.
2012
January
As the feasibility study was approved, we obtained the license and officially became HUB Zagreb initiative!
2013
January 1st
HUB Zagreb was officially launched on Zrinjevac!
June
We received our first angel investment.
July
We got out first EU project partnership approved focused on women social innovators through WISE program of support. HUB also employed their first 2 people!
September
Officially registered as a Business Incubator; HUB changes the name to Impact Hub across the globe.
2014
March
We launched our first incubator program called The Incubator.
April
First Croatian edition of Social Impact Award was launched – the biggest European competition for students in social entrepreneurship.
July
Impact Hub Zagreb moved to it’s new, 60% bigger premises in Vlaška street.
2015
February
Joined the team working on developing TriP – Social Entrepreneurship Board game led by Center of Socially responsible entrepreneurship Serbia!
November
Pyxie Dust Project focusing on promoting STEAM among 13 – 18 year old girls by Josie Zec and Impact Hub started conquering Croatia!
2016
March
We kicked off Impact Incubator, special incubation program for impact-led ventures.
September
First Youth#Challenge was held in Zagreb, our own hackathon-style event boosting young people’s ideas for changing the world.
November
Impact Hub Zagreb won CESA Award for Best Coworking Space in Croatia.
2017
March
We launched the local beyond (un)employment program with Robert Bosch Stiftung exploring youth unemployment and hacking small scale solutions to raising young people’s employability.
October
Aurora.hr, online platform for women entrepreneurs was launched in collaboration with the US Embassy in Croatia.
2018
Throughout the year Social Challenges project and participation in the Internal IH Global Acceleration program
June
Collaboration with Joint Research Center of the European Commission contributing to the efforts of DG ECFIN to define the new “Social Window” of the new INVEST EU Fund.
August
Impact Hub launched its ZALET, a tailor made program for supporting microbusinesses thrive.
October
First Climathon in Croatia – we co-organized and facilitated a 24h event hacking solution for sustainable waste management in Varaždin as part of EIC Climate KIC’s activities.
2019
January
Čačkalica competition was launched for primary school kids in Croatia focused on developing 21st century skills through tinkering activities.
July
Coworker.com proclaimed Impact Hub as the best coworking space in Zagreb.
September
Nomad Capitalist listed us among the best coworking spaces in Europe.
October
Back to Zrinjevac – Impact Hub Zagreb moved to its new premises and again 50% bigger space, i Boškovičeva street!
2020
January
The Aurora.hr #rastem initiative, launched in collaboration with the Zagreb Stock Exchange, PwC Croatia, Funderbeam SEE, and the U.S. Embassy in Croatia, for women entrepreneurs whose businesses were ready for growth and investment.
March
Despite the pandemic, the community in our coworking space remained strong and active, showcasing resilience and adaptability through digital collaboration and support.
2021
March
Engaged youth through ERASMUS+ projects eMAKERS and IYELABs focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship and supported migrant integration with the AMIF BEST program focused on entrepreneurial skills.
June
Delivered impactful programs including the Local Hero Challenge (Heroj Ulice) in collaboration with the US Embassy, Accelerate2030, ClimAccelerator while adapting operations to a fully online format during pandemic restrictions.
2022
July
Moved into a new physical location, laying the groundwork for an expanded and more vibrant hub, a place we call Home where the famous Tko pjeva, zlo ne misli movie has been filmed! Focused on setting up the new space to welcome back members and revitalize in-person collaboration.
2023
July
Joined CRAFTproject strengthening Europe’s social and impact entrepreneurship ecosystems by improving policy support, developing practical tools, and collaboration opportunities across local, national, and EU levels.
September
Played an active role in European projects SOCRATES and LIAISE, fostering collaboration between policymakers, the social economy, and civil society. Continued with our support for small business growth through greenZALET, supported by the Norway Grants 2014-2021, in the framework of the Programme Business Development and Innovation Croatia.
2024
January
Fully focused on supporting young women entrepreneurs through a new ERASMUS project CAPSULE creating a community of young women entrepreneurs, building their capacities through bootcamps, coaching&mentoring as well as cross-border networking opportunities.
November
Hosted 40 women entrepreneurs from Spain in Zabok and Samobor through the BREAK program run by Spanish Business School EOI.
- since 2005
Impact Hub Network
Impact Hub is one of the world’s largest networks focused on building entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale – home to the innovators, the dreamers and the entrepreneurs who are creating tangible solutions to the world’s most pressing issues. As a member of the Impact Hub, Impact Hub Zagreb is a space for impact entrepreneurs and innovators leading the change in economy and society.
If we take history as the witness, we are convinced that people in Croatia are capable of enormous achievements, their resilient mindset and strong spirits have played important roles, and now in a hyperconnected world the opportunity to drive change has never been better. Being small or big, every step counts and we are convinced that with an open heart, a clear intention and a collective action the society will move mountains.