Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi)
A pioneer in the field, the Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi) in Manila, the Philippines, is an innovation office that welcomes new, progressive ideas from individuals who are focused on helping others and the planet through profit-generating and purpose-driven projects. Providing coaching and a space for ideas to be bounced around in search of innovative solutions to common problems, the HiFi works as a step-by-step process that invites individuals to share their ideas and projects, irrespective of the stage they have reached, in order to foster sustainable solutions to social problems.
After witnessing dozens of fantastic innovative ideas go to waste after students’ thesis were graded and subsequently left aside without actionable steps, the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde founded HiFi as an area for young entrepreneurs to continue sharing their ideas and get feedback.
In an interview with Adobo Magazine, founder and former-HiFi Director Abigail Mapua-Cabanilla shared the goal of creating an environment where young people could exchange their innovative ideas. More specifically, HiFi finds inclusion at the heart of its values, namely by showcasing the voices of those who are often last to be included, their goal being to include the “lost and the least among us,” and therefore to investigate and solve problems that are complex, social, and environmental. HiFi ultimately serves as an incubator for tech, governance, and social innovation while also providing support for disaster mapping among other services.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the HiFi is its innovation-provoking process.
The four-step journey begins on the ground floor of the building. The “Empathy Hall,” as it is called, is the initial view when one enters the building. The vicinity is open to all who would like to join discussions or programs taking place. Concerns, problems, and ideas are shared with the community in order to foster innovation and further discussions.
The second stage of the process is located on the second floor, called the bright space. There’s a pantry at the back, private rooms, and desks open to anyone’s disposal. The second floor is where innovators work on solving problems that have been brought up on the ground floor, from being environmentally-driven to being focused on social equality.
The third floor, and third stage, is where team activities take place. Called the “Maker Space,” workshops take place in this area. 3-D printers are available and prototypes can be created. The tools needed to innovate are all there, ready to be used by whoever is in need today. The space is additionally easily changed into one that accommodates training and workshops based on the skills needed to be developed.
Finally, the fourth floor is, perhaps metaphorically, on the roof where the air is fresh and the ideas flow freely. This section is called the “Evergreen” area, and is where pitches take place. The final stages occur here, and then a celebration entails when the product or service can be launched. There are inspirational statements plastered over the walls, and an environment of anticipation and excitement fills the room. And just like this, an idea has made it past the four steps — the four floors — of product creation.
Rather than focusing on tech solutions to simple problems, the HiFi focuses on solving complex problems that follow a Human Centered Design Approach. Instead of attempting to include everyone, the innovators’ voices that are included are those that are usually marginalized or forgotten.
Not only are the projects themselves inclusive of marginalized communities, but the innovators too are young people who may struggle to have access to entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Expanding on this, Mapua-Cabanilla explained that putting a bridge between different actors in various sectors is a main goal behind the HiFi. Industry leaders, academia members, or government representatives are used to working within their own organizations. HiFi, on the contrary, wants to allow students to make meaningful connections while also fostering more collaboration between various kinds of organizations, including NGOs, governments, the private sector, and other sectors. Moreover, the organization supports the inclusion of young entrepreneurs by building strategic partnerships with stakeholders as well as ecosystem developers. Finally, they partner up with organizations involved in governance, including the government and banks.
This story of the Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi) was contributed by Francisco Moreno Jr of HiFi, based in the Philippines.
This story is featured in “Inclusive Innovation”, published first by Routledge Press and coauthored by Robyn Klingler-Vidra (Senior Lecturer, King’s College London), Alex Glennie (Principal Researcher, Nesta), and Courtney Savie Lawrence (Climate and Systems Innovation Consultant, Cofounder Circular Design Lab).
Why this, why now? Innovation offers potential: to cure diseases, to better connect people, and to make the way we live and work more efficient and enjoyable. At the same time, innovation can fuel inequality, decimate livelihoods, and harm mental health. This book contends that inclusive innovation — innovation motivated by environmental and social aims — is able to uplift the benefits of innovation while reducing its harms.
For us, the term “inclusive innovation” describes the pursuit of innovation that has social (and environmental) aims, and local context, at its heart. As we strive to bridge the gaps in practice, we are focused on also recalibrating a mismatch in language and lexicon. We believe that in some cases, those who are doing inclusive innovation are not adequately acknowledged, and so policy is not designed as effectively as it could be, and more generally, the ecosystem is not as collaborative, or inclusive, as it has the potential to be.
Want to download the complementary ‘Authors’ Copy’ and join the LinkedIn Community of Practice? More at inclusiveinnovation.io
