# Social Innovation Incubators Affinity Lab is a Shared Working Space and Platform in DC By Rebecca Byers | Published 2013-04-25 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affinity-lab References: [fastcompany](http://www.fastcompany.com/1747624/united-states-innovation) & [affinitylab](http://www.affinitylab.com/) The Affinity Lab is an incubator located in Washington, DC that’s membership is open to small for-profit and non-profit businesses, as well as art organizations and talented startups. The Lab’s 5,000 square foot space is part [co-working space](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hollywood-production-center), part creative collective, and offers members 24/7 access while operating their membership on a month-month basis, meaning no long-term commitment is necessary. Over its 10 years of operation, the Affinity Lab has helped 200 businesses grow, 83% of which are still open today. A key principle for the Affinity Lab is to cultivate a community that enables members to form mutually supportive relationships, as they believe collaboration is the most efficient way for everyone to work toward their individual goals. **Contact Information** Affinity Lab [website](http://www.affinitylab.com/) Affinity Lab on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/AffinityLab) Affinity Lab on [Twitter](http://twitter.com/affinitylab) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Social Innovation Incubators:** Affinity Lab's model of cultivating a collaborative community among members of its co-working space& platform has potential for replication. - **Mutually Supportive Relationships:** Affinity Lab's emphasis on collaboration among members and facilitating mutually supportive relationships presents an opportunity for similar co-working spaces& platforms. - **Flexible Membership Options:** Affinity Lab's model of offering month-to-month memberships without long-term commitment could disrupt the traditional co-working space& platform business model. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Co-working Space& Platform Industry:** Similar businesses in this industry could benefit by adopting Affinity Lab's principles of community collaboration and mutually supportive relationships. - **Non-profit Business Industry:** Social innovation incubators can be particularly valuable for non-profit businesses looking for a supportive community to grow and thrive. - **Start-up Business Industry:** Co-working spaces& platforms that offer flexible membership options like Affinity Lab's could attract start-ups that are hesitant to make long-term commitments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Innovation-Focused Furniture Design Collectives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/design-collective.md) - [Digital Accessibility-Focused Media Labs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empathy-lab.md) - [Adaptive Community Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spaced-agency.md) - [Connective Remote Work Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-studio1.md) - [All-In-One Production Studio Memberships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allinone-production-studio.md) - [Human-First Incubators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/with-life-cultivator.md) - [Modern London Co-Working Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apex.md) - [Startup Networking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foundity.md) - [Digital Sharing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/venture-vault.md)