MUG – Social Innovation Hub for Inclusion and Entrepreneurship
About this good practice
MUG was created by Emil Banca as part of an urban regeneration initiative aimed at restoring value to the local area, fostering community building, and supporting entrepreneurship. It addresses the lack of infrastructure, financial access, and networking opportunities for startups, SMEs, and social enterprises in Bologna. Many emerging businesses struggle to find affordable workspaces and tailored financial support, limiting their potential for growth.
MUG provides coworking spaces, mentoring, networking events, and financial education to help businesses thrive. It also serves as a bridge to Emil Banca, enabling access to microfinance and investment opportunities. The hub operates under a collaborative governance model, involving public and private stakeholders to co-create sustainable economic solutions. A key value of MUG is its commitment to diversity, ensuring a vibrant mix of people, sectors, and ideas.
Key stakeholders include Emil Banca, startups, SMEs, social enterprises, financial institutions, public authorities, and academia. Beneficiaries are entrepreneurs and professionals seeking an inclusive ecosystem that promotes innovation, cooperation, and financial sustainability. MUG strengthens local networks and acts as a catalyst for social innovation, contributing to inclusive growth and long-term regional development.
Resources needed
The project required an initial investment of approximately €1.5 million for the renovation, the spaces, and the launch of the programs. The annual operating budget is around €400,000, covered by Emil Banca, private partners, and self-managed activities.
Evidence of success
MUG is a good practice as it fosters entrepreneurship, networking, and financial access via a community-driven hub. Since 2021, it has supported more than 150 startups and SMEs, hosted more than 400 events with over 10,000 participants, enabled above 60 microcredit projects, and built strong ties with universities, public bodies, and banks. Its hybrid model of coworking, mentoring, and financial services ensures long-term impact and 70% member retention.
Potential for learning or transfer
MUG is a scalable and adaptable model that fosters entrepreneurship, financial access, and community-driven innovation, making it relevant for other regions. Its hybrid approach, combining coworking, mentoring, and financial services, ensures flexibility and sustainability. Key success factors include public-private collaboration, a diverse stakeholder network, and a self-sustaining revenue model.
However, challenges to transfer may include regulatory differences, the need for strong stakeholder engagement, and initial investment costs. Despite these barriers, MUG’s model can be adapted to various regional contexts to strengthen local ecosystems for innovation and business development.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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