About the Idea Greenhouse

What is the Idea Greenhouse?

The Idea Greenhouse is a home that builds a community of starters, creatives, and a collective entrepreneurial spirit.

This "home" is a physical space that offers a mix of offerings, including office space, cube and desk space, "drop in" cafe-style workspace, rooms for meetings and events, and a hub to connect our community.

Started in Downtown Durham in June '10, the Idea Greenhouse has secured a new, permanent home for our community opening in early 2011.

Want to know more about the Idea Greenhouse? Read on.

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An Idea

The Idea Greenhouse began in June, 2010 as an idea "to grow a creative culture in downtown Durham, NH by providing a space to connect people."

Many asked IGH Founder Tom Elliott, "What people? Who needed to connect?"

We knew that there existed a wide range of Seacoast locals engaged in the entrepreneurial and/or creative process who belong to the "creative class" and "knowledge worker" ranks.

Having met dozens of our neighors laboring away all alone in home offices, we talked to many who wanted a way to alleviate the isolation of the modern "screen-centric" lifestyle. As more than one noted, "The walls of my home office don't talk back to me."

Providing a home and community for creatives and starters seemed like an opportunity. But for a dynamic, creative culture of entrepreneurship to flourish, the participants need compelling reasons to get out from behind their screens and come downtown for a night of fellowship, discussion, and "creative collisioning," the serendipitous collaboration that happens when a bunch of smart, creative people are in the same pyhsical space.

Admitting our uncertain future, we rented a small office space in June, 2010 and invited people to an opening night event. The enthusiastic response confirmed our belief that meaningful interaction with interesting peers is an increasingly rare and premium experience in this techno-centric world.

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A Home (or two?)

We quickly realized that to really grow and meet this community's needs, the Idea Greenhouse needs a greenhouse.

And perhaps more than one. As we talked up our events, we heard a consisent refrain: connect people from across the Seacoast's creative & entrepreneurial scene. In other words, think bigger than just Durham and "behind the bay." Think regional.

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So what is the Idea Greenhouse now?

Beginning in the winter of 2011, the Idea Greenhouse is now a physical "home" with over 1,600 square feet of work, event, and collaboration space ready for you!