Let’s Jam! GovJam LA, June 4-6, at the NEW Hub LA Media Lab

WHAT is GovJam?

This June, join us at GovJam LA, presented by the Hub LA and friends. Global GovJam is a 48 hour global event where teams of Gov folks and private citizens work together on the challenges faced by public services. Teams will collaborate to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems. Participants will apply design principles and multi-disciplinary expertise to develop ideas through to prototypes.

While the theme is government, the objective is learning through experience. Human-centered design gives us tools to rethink public services in a new light. This 2.5 day hands-on event gives public sector individuals and concerned citizens the opportunity to learn new approaches and tools (and to learn from each other), and to bring those new skills, thinking, inspiration back to their jobs and life.

WHY should you attend?

Are you looking to improve the “customer experience” of citizens interacting with healthcare, education, public transportation, policy, governance, and so much more?
Are you looking for new approaches to tackle problems and create innovative solutions?
Are you looking to meet an amazing group of passionate people, learn new skills, and have fun doing it?

Then GovJam is for you!

Read more on “Let’s Jam! GovJam LA, June 4-6, at the NEW Hub LA Media Lab” »

Hub LA Summer 2013 Fellows Program

Looking for a community to grow and build your ideas this summer? How about joining Hub LA as a Fellow! We’re looking for bright individuals with a passion for social impact. Work with Hub LA in helping us launch as a dynamic, social enterprise for the Summer of 2013. Your efforts will be critical in building a professionally hosted place where high-impact consultants, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators come to work, meet, learn, and connect alongside diverse peers. And, just to sweeten the deal, our Fellows benefit from FREE membership and access/member discounts to all our fantastic events, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.

As a Hub LA Fellow you have a unique opportunity to:
• Be a space host and foster the Hub LA practice of the “Art of Hosting”
• Build strong working relationships with diverse groups
• Gain access and exposure to a dynamic start-up and promote thought leadership in the world of social entrepreneurship
• Work under the pressures of high visibility, fast turn-around and the highest quality expectations
• Have the very unique opportunity to work with a number of different and dynamic businesses under the Hub LA network
• NETWORK!

Read more on “Hub LA Summer 2013 Fellows Program” »

Livestreaming the 2013 Civic Innovation Showcase & MyLA311 Launch Party

Live, from the Arts District DTLA, it’s…the Hub LA 2013 Civic Innovation Showcase!

Thank you to TechZulu.com for the live stream!

Hub LA Civic Innovation Showcase 2013

Celebrating seven LA-area start-ups and the launch of the City of Los Angeles’ new MyLA311 mobile application

WHAT: Civic Innovation Showcase & City of LA’s NEW MyLA311 App Launch Party
WHEN: April 3, 2013, 7pm-10pm
WHERE: Hub LA, 830 Traction Avenue, Third Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Parking lot fee $5-$7: free street parking available on Traction Ave.
RSVP: $20 online/$25 at the door; ticket price include early access, free consulting, and free beta apps from participating showcase start-ups. Tickets available HERE

We are proud to announce a partnership with the LA Mayor’s Council on Innovation and Industry to showcase early free access to apps that connect LA’s citizens to city information and enhance our civic lives through web platforms, and other mobile devices.

The showcase will feature groundbreaking technology from InVenture, ThrdPlace, iSocialite, AppMyForm, Recargo, City Innovation Group, and RideAmigos Corp. From web to widgets to mobile apps, these start-ups service entire municipal populations to increase civic engagement and improve the lives of citizens. The ticketed event will provide all attendees early access, free consulting, and free use of these new tech-for-change products.

This event is being hosted in conjunction with Mayor Villaraigosa’s press conference at Hub LA on Monday April 1 in which the City of Los Angeles’ new “MyLA311” app will be officially unveiled. This new City mobile application allows Angelenos to submit 311 service requests, locate city resources, and pay city bills through their smartphones. By taking advantage of a smartphone’s GPS and camera, the app promises to make reporting complaints and finding city services simpler and more accessible. Read more on “Hub LA Civic Innovation Showcase 2013″ »

Coming May 2013: Media Lab at Hub LA

Exciting News from Hub LA CEO and Co-Founder Elizabeth Stewart

Our team and the growing community of members at Hub LA recognize the tremendous opportunity we have to bring together individuals and teams from two powerful communities dedicated to creating positive change: the social entrepreneur and start-up community; and the artistic, creative community. Because of the society-shaping power of these two groups, we are expanding Hub LA’s facilities to include a Media Lab scheduled to launch in May. With the launch of our new Media Lab facilities and programming, we are excited to welcome the storytellers, artist activists, and digital media advocates to the Hub LA community.

We are quite excited at what this mash-up will produce. With this launch, we believe two important things will happen:
1) Social good start-ups will have access to cutting edge talent to tell the stories that set these new companies apart. These stories are critical for social entrepreneurs to attract capital and tap into loyal customers looking to buy from sustainable, pro-social brands;
2) Artists will have access to entrepreneurial energy and start-up resources along side ongoing critique from a curated community of peers. Equipping artists and creative professionals with the business acumen and tools to produce their own work will allow more people to make a viable living from their creative pursuits. Read more on “Coming May 2013: Media Lab at Hub LA” »

Meet Our Team: Julie Lebedev, Managing Director of the (soon-to-launch!) Media Department

In her own words, Julie Lebedev speaks about her role in envisioning, building, and opening the Media Department.

I’m excited to launch the Hub LA Media Department because I believe there is nothing like it in LA. There could not be a better suited place–and more perfect time–for such an endeavor than Los Angeles as it is right now.

My background in entertainment includes a brief, only slightly painful stint at a talent agency. During my time at Participant Media, I got to work with the best people to create entertaining and inspiring content. But things are changing. Whether it is more accessible technology to create content or new platforms to distribute and consume media, the entertainment industry and the studio model is in flux. New distribution models and ideas will soon need to be embraced. Since I started my own independent film production company, I’ve learned more than I probably wanted to about the ups and downs of making a movie! I will say, however, that there is nothing quite as rewarding as watching the finished product on screen.

Our goal at the Media Department is to bring storytellers, message makers, and visual artists together with social entrepreneurs to create meaningful, entertaining content. The Hub LA has a unique opportunity to leverage the wealth of creative talent in Los Angeles by bringing powerful change agents under one roof. The positive impact that these very dynamic combinations could yield is beyond exciting. Read more on “Meet Our Team: Julie Lebedev, Managing Director of the (soon-to-launch!) Media Department” »

Meet Our Team: Ann Le, COO/CFO at The Hub LA

In her own words: our COO/CFO, Ann, on working at The Hub LA:

I knew that I wanted to be a part of the Hub LA when I met with CEO and co-founder Elizabeth Stewart. She’s inspiring. Great Kool-Aid. It wasn’t a hard decision to hop on board, and I’m grateful that I get to come to our wonderful DTLA space–my second home, really–every day.

My background informs my work here constantly. As a former bond trader, I’m use to working in some organized chaos; switching from thinking divergently and convergently back and forth, early and late, at all times. I love that everything I do matters, for better or for worse. With my time spent at Universal Pictures, I’m looking forward to helping launch the Media Department, to growing a new content-creating community, and to working with even more inspired individuals.

My role at the Hub LA includes…EVERYTHING! As CFO/COO, I do everything from run numbers, critiquing business plans to making sure the water delivery arrives. My favorite thing, though, is to be with the community; I love hosting and being the Hub LA therapist. Read more on “Meet Our Team: Ann Le, COO/CFO at The Hub LA” »

Meet Our Members: Joshua Azran, Azran Financial APC

Meet Joshua! Joshua Azran, owner of Azran Financial APC, is a Certified Public Accountant with expertise in public accounting, corporate finance, strategic management, financial restructuring, business valuation, management consulting, and business development. As part of our Hub Workbench programming, Joshua is generously donating his time and expertise to Hub LA members; drop in to discuss any questions you may have with taxes or accounting!

Why did you chose to become a Hub LA member?
I became a HubLA member because the organization is at the intersection of two of my personal and Azran Financial’s core focus areas, entrepreneurship and social good. The ability to create and foster community for social entrepreneurs around common goals and interests is something that we wanted to be a part of. The Hub plays a vital role in Los Angeles’s Silicon Beach startup community providing not only co-working space but also content, entertainment, and thought leadership. This and more appealed to me. Read more on “Meet Our Members: Joshua Azran, Azran Financial APC” »

Meet Our Members: Andrew Gibbs, CEO and Founder of TheDieline.com

Meet Andrew Gibbs! Andrew Gibbs founded TheDieline.com, the world’s number one package design website, in 2007. Formerly the Creative Director for the leading beverage development company in the nation, Andrew now serves as CEO of Dieline Media LLC, where he oversees TheDieline.com, The Dieline Package Design Awards, and The Dieline Package Design Conference. He is also author of Box Bottle Bag – The World’s Best Package Designs from TheDieline.com.

Why did you become a Hub LA member?
The main reason I became a Hub LA member was for community. I wanted to surround myself with other like-minded people in LA, other entrepreneurs, creatives, designers, and business owners like myself. This alone was my driving reason to join. After working on my own for over 4 years now, I determined that I really thrived working in a collaborative and creative environment with others, and Hub LA has made that happen. Read more on “Meet Our Members: Andrew Gibbs, CEO and Founder of TheDieline.com” »

Meet Our Members: Adrian Borrego, CEO of Roman Apparel Group

Meet Adrian. Adrian is the CEO of Roman Apparel Group. Over his 15 year career in the fashion world he has earned a reputation as an industry leader for the manufacturing of designer, contemporary, and luxury brands. In recent years, Adrian has spearheaded the development and production of top labels including Joe’s Jeans, Elizabeth & James, Patterson J Kincaid, LaROK, and Streets Ahead.

Why did you chose to become a Hub LA member?
I needed temporary workspace. I was in between making a decision to potentially relocate to New York– my company has offices in both NY and LA. I did some research on what was offered in Los Angeles and I thought that idea of the Hub with its emphasis on social enterprise was the most interesting. I came in to take a look, met Elizabeth Stewart, and found out it that Hub LA is really practicing what it preaches. I liked the privacy, too- having a “members only” environment ensures that the atmosphere is conducive to getting work done, but that if I felt like having a discussion, I’d be surrounded by other entrepreneurs who had like-minded values and goals. Read more on “Meet Our Members: Adrian Borrego, CEO of Roman Apparel Group” »