Impact Hub Houston | Impact Hub Houston: Community + Coworking for Social Entrepreneurs & Startups

Webinar – Blockchain: Boon or bane for Carbon reduction

by Grace Rodriguez | Aug 11, 2020

A conversation evaluating the possibilities and challenges using blockchain technology in the fight against climate change

About

There is a long standing discussion about sustainability when it comes to blockchain. While Blockchain alone cannot solve the climate crisis, there are interesting concepts, ideas and solutions that are using the technology for creating an impact. In recent years, blockchain technology has been utilised to improve global carbon markets, however there are challenges in increasing the positive impact and expand the markets.

In this webinar, we will take a look into how blockchain technology specifically work in the areas of carbon markets and hear from a group of panelists about different concepts/tools that are being currently developed and used.

Agenda:

Welcome note from PositiveBlockchain, Climate KIC, Greentech Alliance
Basic introduction to blockchain
Potential of blockchain for voluntary carbon markets – Julia Hsiao-Pei Liao
Introduction by the panelists (20 mins)
Moderated panel discussion (30 mins)
Q & A (20 mins)

Speakers:

Paul Gambill, CEO of NORI
Magdalena Gronowska, Innovation & Policy, Blockchain for Climate
Laszlo Giricz, Founder and CEO of Poseidon
more speakers tbc

PositiveBlockchain.io is an open-source database, media platform, and a community exploring the potential of blockchain technologies for social and environmental impact. The database currently lists more than 800 projects and startups using blockchain for good. PositiveBlockchain is a non-profit association run by a global community of contributors.

EIT Climate KIC is a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy. We identify and support innovation that helps society mitigate and adapt to climate change. We believe that a decarbonised, sustainable economy is not only necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change, but presents a wealth of opportunities for business and society.

Greentech Alliance is a community of Greentech companies from all over the world which connects the members to top tier VCs, media and experts.

Impact Hub Berlin is the home for social entrepreneurship in the German capital. A catalyst for social innovation – a community, a consultancy and a creative space. As part of the global network for social innovation, they inspire, connect and enable local community of changemakers to develop solutions to the greatest challenges facing people and the planet

Aalto University, Finland is a new multidisciplinary science and art community in the fields of science, business, and art and design.

How to network digitally and land a job in the post-COVID-19 economy

by Grace Rodriguez | Aug 6, 2020

COVID-19 has changed the way we work, and consequently, the way we network.

In Germany, the number of people out of work has risen by 40,000 month-on-month since March, according to the BA federal labour agency.

Whether you’re looking for new career opportunities or job hunting for the first time, it’s an intimidating scenario.

As Europe and other parts of the world reopen, it’s time to get out there and network – oh, wait! Is it safe? There are a lot of question marks over the game of networking, especially right now. Introducing yourself: yes. Shaking hands: definitely not!

We’ve always heard a lot that people are afraid of networking, even before COVID-19 complicated matters further. The little voices inside our heads tell us:

“I don’t have the skills to network.”
“I’m not ‘there’ yet.”
“It will be embarrassing because [fill in the blank].”

The good news is: you are not alone! The Tribe for Career Happiness has your back.

Join us at our virtual event to connect your head to your mind and find out how you can network authentically and efficiently – whatever the situation.

In the session we will:

Network with each other using an agile approach
Examine our own existing networks: who is already there?
Make networking feel less ‘awkward’
Work on our empathy and create win-win scenarios
Learn to position ourselves to connect to new opportunities online.

Are you ready to take this networking challenge and land yourself a job in the post-COVID-19 economy?

This event is brought to you by the Career Happiness Tribe at Impact Hub Berlin – where change goes to work.

Skillshare Breakfast: Design Thinking and Scenario Planning for Businesses

by houston | Aug 6, 2020

Design Thinking and Scenario Planning as a Compass for Innovation

The time has come to meet for a coffee and some brain thoughts again in person. We are happy to invite you again to our wonderful Impact Hub Vienna for a Skillshare breakfast.

This session will be possible to join live as well as online. So hurry up to sign up for limited amount of tickets or enjoy it from behind of your computer.

Together we will have the opportunity to look into the future and predict a bit.

If you have ever asked your self the question “Does my business model also works in the future?” you should not miss the chance to learn more about design thinking and scenario planning.

Scenario planning helps organizations become more agile by asking its practitioners to form a strategy for situations that seem far-fetched and even implausible today. Meanwhile, design thinking is an approach that puts a product’s or service’s users front and center.

Let’s discover the power of both!

What will you learn about at this Skillshare Breakfast?

➡️ Challenges for organizations during Covid-19 pandemic

➡️ Use of Scenario Planning and Design Thinking

➡️ Human-Centered Design as a compass for innovation

➡️ Methods

About the presenter

Maria is a User Experience Expert who specializes in Service Design and Product Strategy.

After studying Media Technology & Design in Berlin and international Design in Copenhagen, Maria spent several years abroad, where she gained valuable work experience with established giants, nonprofit organisations and ventures.

Today she works as Lead Designer at Empatic-UX in Austria, where she manages international clients in building Product Solutions from scratch.

She also teaches as a UX Coach at the Experience Design Institute in Germany and at several Universities.

Her passion lies in educational design, human industry and the impact of technology on society.

About #10SkillsFor2030:

2020 is a special year for Impact Hub Vienna: It has been 10 years since Impact Hub Vienna opened its doors (celebrate with us at #10YearsIHV!) and we have 10 years left to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Based on the OECD Learning Compass 2030, we’ve identified 10 skills needed for changemakers to make the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 a reality. Each of our Skillshare Breakfasts this year will focus on one of these skills to help you create a world that works for all. Curious? Learn more here: https://www.oecd.org/education/2030-project/

Houston Online Wikipedia Edit-a-thon Workshops

by Grace Rodriguez | Aug 6, 2020

Join us to learn how to edit Wikipedia and work together to improve and create Wikipedia articles on Black Houstonians and women artists!

These virtual edit-a-thons will focus on Black Houstonians and women artists. Participants will learn how to edit Wikipedia and work together to improve and create Wikipedia articles. All are welcome and no prior experience editing Wikipedia is necessary!

Why We Edit

Wikipedia’s content is skewed by the lack of Black and female participation. This represents an alarming absence in an increasingly important repository of shared knowledge.

Let’s change that. Join us for a communal updating of Wikipedia entries on subjects related to art, Black culture, and feminism. We will provide tutorials for the beginner Wikipedian, reference materials, and encouragement. People of all gender identities and expressions are invited to participate.

Event Info

Dates:

Thursday, August 20, 6pm – 8pm CT
Sunday, August 30, 3pm – 5pm CT

Participants will be able to ask questions throughout and are not required to stay for the entire session. Tutorials will take place during the first hour.

Platform: Zoom (link will be sent an hour before the event)

This series couldn’t happen without the support of The African American Library at the Gregory School, Art+Feminism, Arte Público Press, Black Lunch Table, and Impact Hub Houston. This project is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

Tweakshop & Hub Hang – 5 Things You Should Know About Web Accessibity

by Grace Rodriguez | Jul 14, 2020

Let’s learn how to make digital content that’s accessible to all!

So you have your marketing plan set, your campaign ready but have you assured your design is accessible to everyone?

Join us on a workshop on designing for accessibility! Web accessibility refers to building digital content that can be used by a wide range of people, including individuals with visual, motor, auditory or speech impairment. As designers, we have the power and responsibility to make sure that everyone has access to what we create regardless of ability, context, or situation. I will walk you through a few tips that are easy to implement on your website.

Osamu Wakabayashi has over ten years of web design/digital marketing business working exclusively for the nonprofit industry. He holds over 30 seminars annually and helped 50+ nonprofit organizations, and runs the Ottawa UI/UX Meetup group with over 2,000 members and Web for Nonprofit Meetup group with 200 professionals working for the nonprofit sector.

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What’s a Tweakshop & Hub Hang? We’ve combined a Hubber favourite, our weekly 15-minute Tweakshops, with a brand-new virtual program, the Hub Hang!

11:00-11:15 – Tweakshop: Learn from Hubbers about small tweaks and non-essential life skills that can help you lead a richer and more fulfilled life.

11:15-12:00 – Hub Hang: Stick around for informal conversation with fellow Hubbers & friends. Use this time to catch up, share your remote-working tips and tricks, and update us all on the books, podcasts and shows you can finally binge shame-free. Come and go as you please – no pressure to stick around for the entire hang!

* A link to register via Zoom will be provided once you sign up on Eventbrite!*

Free tickets – Available to Members and anyone for whom cost is a barrier to attending.

We have removed our ‘Helping Hand Donation’ ticketing option and offer the following suggestions should you wish to donate, instead, to an organization working to support anti-racism in Canada:

Designing for Inclusivity in Entrepreneurship

by Grace Rodriguez | Jul 14, 2020

Take action! How to centre inclusion & anti-racism in your businesses & business support programs.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or developing programs to support them, designing for inclusion will invite more people in, and help them to feel welcome once they’re there. It can’t be achieved overnight, and it won’t happen without commitment and some discomfort, but there are steps you can take – straight away.

Join us to hear from inclusion leaders about actionable strategies for building anti-racism and inclusivity into your business and programs.

Speakers

Sharon Nyangweso, Founder & CEO, QuakeLab
Eaman Fahmy, Inclusive Program Designer, Pillar Nonprofit

Who should come?

Whether you’re a nonprofit professional, program designer, entrepreneur, self-employed or just looking to take a leap into entrepreneurship, you are welcome to join.
This event is welcoming of everyone, including BIPoC, transgender, two-spirit and non-binary individuals. We aim to create a ‘brave space‘ to voice and discuss the inclusion challenges your business or organization is facing.

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This event is being hosted in partnership with the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), of which Impact Hub Ottawa is one of ten Regional Hubs.

Led by Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute, the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship and the Ted Rogers School of Management with over 50 partner organizations, WEKH is a nation-wide network of researchers, business support organizations, and key stakeholders aiming to reduce barriers and grow women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.

Learn more about WEKH here.

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Dirigé par le Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute, le Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship et la Ted Rogers School of Management (ces trois sites sont en anglais seulement) et en partenariat avec plus de 50 organisations, le Portail de connaissances pour les femmes en entrepreneuriat (PCFE) est un réseau national de chercheurs, d’organisations de soutien aux entreprises et d’intervenants clés dont le but est de réduire les barrières et de faire croître l’entrepreneuriat féminin au Canada.

En savoir plus ici.

Core Conversations: “If Not Us, Then Who?” Working towards Equity & Justice

by Grace Rodriguez | Jun 16, 2020

Join us for this Core Conversation on how individuals and communities can work towards social and economic justice in America, today.

Join a virtual discussion with Phillip Yates, Founder/CEO of Equiliberty, on the impact of race on our current virus + violence crises; followed by best practices from the Impact Hub community’s work on AIDE – Access, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity – to support and empower change-makers of color in the United States.

We will discuss:

1. How COVID-19 threatens African-American communities and community-based businesses; and how social enterprises like Equiliberty can help expand access for underinvested communities to asset-building opportunities through shared ownership.

2. How persistent police violence has inspired a generation of new civil rights leaders that has America re-thinking power structures, long-standing institutions, and governance.

3. How this new movement to end racism and violence against Black Americans and people of color has influenced so many people across the country and around the world to action, that 2020 may turn out to be a pivotal moment in human history.

4. How we can collaboratively envision what our world can look and work like under new systems that offer economic growth and justice for all, and co-create what might be.

Helping spark and lead discussion:

Phillip J. Yates – Attorney (Yates & Associates, PLLC); CEO/Founder of Equiliberty, Inc.; Board Chair of Impact Hub Houston.

Phillip founded Equiliberty to end poverty by helping people learn how to use their existing resources and talents to grow thriving businesses, create jobs, and develop strong local economies that contribute to global prosperity. It leverages technology to democratize access to credit and provides the tools for creators to build infrastructure and self-sustainable revenue models that ultimately promote economic growth and justice for all.

Phillip Yates is also a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Diversity Fund Houston. The Diversity Fund Houston is a micro venture fund created to invest in black and brown tech founders during the “friends and family” round. Prior to founding Diversity Fund Houston, Phillip helped establish a pre-venture business incubator for minorities at the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL). In this role, he focused on identifying key resources to assist startups and early-stage founders with opportunities to scale . Since its inception, this program has helped over 5,000 minority entrepreneurs join the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Phillip is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and the Southern District of the United States where he practices Bankruptcy and Corporate law. He also sits on the board for Lone Star Justice Alliance, League of Women Voters Houston, 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, and serves as General Counsel for the Business Angel Minority Association (baMa) and Chairman of Impact Hub Houston, which connects and empowers people working to solve social problems in our city and around the world.

Grace Rodriguez – CEO/Executive Director of Impact Hub Houston

Grace has helped spread ideas, create experiences, and spur action as a speaker, facilitator, producer and community developer for diverse companies and organizations, directly reaching over 296,000 people in the past decade. During Hurricane Harvey, she helped disseminate information to a quarter of a million people throughout Houston, and helped Sketch City’s tech volunteers connect with resources to effectively inform, rescue, shelter and feed people across the region. Grace has promoted Houston;s creative and startup communities to over 17,000 people over seven years of leading “Houston at SXSW;” and was responsible for engaging and energizing 800+ high-profile participants as TED’s “TEDActive” Creative Director.

Grace mentors startups and entrepreneurs at MassChallenge TX, Rice University’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (LILIE), Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at UH Bauer College, Texas Medical Center Innovation Institute (TMCx), and Capital Factory. She serves on the boards of Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH) and Writers in the Schools (WITS), and is the lead organizer of Women In Tech: Houston (WIT:H) and TEDxHouston.

Grace is also as an active member of the: Nationswell Council; Kauffman ESHIP Ecosystem Developers community; Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE); City of Houston Women and Minority Business Task Force; Houston Exponential Startup Development Organizations Roundtable; and the Page 30 Coalition.

FEMtrepreneurs presents FEMseries: workshops

by Grace Rodriguez | May 29, 2020

The FEMseries consists of online lectures and workshops to inspire women and to equip them with the tools & skills to kickstart their idea.

About this Event

Join our 3-part module to get a glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship, learn how to get from idea to business concept and bring your idea to the next level.

We get you started with:

Why + Ideation (What is your motivation for your idea or start-up? How can we develop this idea? 25.05.20)
Business Model (What is your business model and why is it important? 05.06.20)
Pitching workshop (Theoretical input & practicing a pitch. 11.06.20)

Each session is about 2,5h long, will be held virtually and is led by industry experts.

Register to participate!

You can select each date separately.

FEMtrepreneurs is an initiative by the University of Basel in cooperation with HBA, ImpactHub Basel, WomenMatters and WeHub India.

MEMBERS ONLY: Online Course on Collaboration and Co-Creation

by Grace Rodriguez | May 29, 2020

Jutta Jerlich, digital strategist and educator teaching Collaboration & Co-Creation at TU Wien, offers her expertise to our IHBasel members!

About this Event

We at Impact Hub Basel believe that the world’s greatest challenges will never be solved by one person or organization alone.

We need to work together.

With this course, we want to support you to thrive in and co-shape our collaborative ecosystem of purpose-driven changemakers that want to make a positive impact in the world.

We are very happy that Jutta Jerlich, digital strategist and educator teaching Collaboration and Co-Creation at the Vienna University of Technology, offers her expertise to our Impact Hub Basel members.

This course is for people who want to understand the most common pitfalls that happen in a team while growing their ideas into products and services for the market. Even if you don’t have a team yet, this course prepares you for it by learning about your own values and motivations as a basis for effective and efficient communication in your future self-organized project team. There is no prior knowledge or skill set needed.

This course features 6 online sessions, weekly on Friday 15.00-16.00 from 01.05.2020 until 05.06.2020.

In addition to that, Jutta offers mentoring sessions to the first three teams that register!

Course Dates:

01 May 2020, 15.00-16.00
08 May 2020, 15.00-16.00
15 May 2020, 15.00-16.00
22 May 2020, 15.00-16.00
29 May 2020, 15.00-16.00
05 June 2020, 15.00-16.00

Any questions? Shoot a message to [email protected]

You will get the videoconferencing link to the online course via Nexudus after the registration closes.

Happy learning!

PS: Not a member yet? Check the Membership Packages out here and email us at [email protected]

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Please note that by registering and participating in this event, you agree to the recording of your appearance and/or your voice, which Verein Impact Hub Basel and Jutta Jerlich can publish in photos, videos and accompanying sound recordings via online and offline media and for marketing purposes.