In this episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Charlie MacGregor, Founder and CEO of The Social Hub, shares the story behind a bold reimagination of what hospitality, connection, and community can look like in the 21st century.
Founded in Amsterdam in 2012 (originally as The Student Hotel), The Social Hub is a hybrid hospitality brand that combines hotels, student housing, coworking spaces, coliving, event venues, and social impact initiatives. With locations across Europe, it is designed to bring together travellers, students, remote workers, and locals in shared spaces that foster meaningful connections.
Today, we explore the origin story behind The Social Hub, why belonging is the most underrated business model, how diverse communities can thrive in shared spaces, the role of design in shaping behaviour and connection, and how to build spaces where people actually want to connect. This episode is not just about hotels; it is about how we live, work, and learn, and what happens when you design spaces to bring people together on purpose.
Video version of episode 124:
Audio version of episode 124:
Key Takeaways
- Hospitality is evolving from service to connection.
- Design is not just aesthetic – it’s behavioural architecture.
- Purpose and profit can scale together if culture leads the way.
- The best growth stories are rooted in human transformation.
- The future of hospitality is human and hyper-local.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/07/eu-startups-podcast-episode-124-charlie-macgregor-founder-and-ceo-of-the-social-hub/
