The H-I Network was founded in 2000 (under the name Henley-Incubator) as an entrepreneurial start-up in conjunction with Henley Management College (HMC).
H-I Network set out to address the key challenges of fostering innovation and growth within established organisations. The premise was to provide access to best practice and develop a powerful academic and corporate network for the college’s clients and alumni, in effect creating an independent and supportive environment for corporate 'Extrapreneurs'* and their ideas.
Having built a strong client base of blue chip organisations, H-I Network, with the backing of the college's Court of Governors, was launched as a separate entity in 2001. H-I developed with HMC as a board member and a governance structure with incentives similar to many corporate ventures in a corporate environment. To further strengthen the network and to develop the concept, H-I Network joined forces with the Corven Group in April 2005.
The H-I Network continues to be driven by its members’ requirements but now also has access to Financial Services Authority registered advisory services, an experienced team of venturing advisors and specialists in business investment and turnarounds.