Innovative names for innovation
October 21, 2011 1:35 PM   Subscribe

Help brainstorm synonyms for an idea incubator

The target to be named is supposed to be a place that helps encourage innovation without being a product development center itself. I like to think of it as an innovation doula, there to nurture and support those that are actually doing the heavy lifting. So far I've played around with the ideas of a greenhouse, laboratory, and hatchery, none of which quite get there. Any ideas?

Bonus points for catchy acronyms and words that don't come from the Greek root of female slave.
posted by allen.spaulding to Writing & Language (15 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I don't have a great specific idea, but here are some words that came to mind while thinking about your place:

sustenance
provide
nest
brooder
glasshouse
life support
IV
scaffolding
support structure
rebar
yolk
cotyledon
airframe
skeleton crew
buttress
lateral support
pedestal
dias
posted by sciencegeek at 1:55 PM on October 21, 2011


ah, one more,
birthwork/er
posted by sciencegeek at 1:56 PM on October 21, 2011


catalyst
nursery
posted by abirdinthehand at 2:01 PM on October 21, 2011 [1 favorite]


Enzyme? A molecule that promotes a reaction, by reducing the barrier between the beginning and end products.

On preview, abird's catalyst is a synonym.
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 2:05 PM on October 21, 2011


crucible
kiln
factory
posted by sciencegeek at 2:10 PM on October 21, 2011


words that don't come from the Greek root of female slave.

What?
posted by John Cohen at 2:15 PM on October 21, 2011


The wank tank springs immediately to mind. In which field are you hoping to nurture ideas? That would help narrow your options considerably.
posted by goo at 2:44 PM on October 21, 2011


Imaginak, from combining imagine/innovate with "emaginak" the Basque word for midwife?
posted by emilycardigan at 2:47 PM on October 21, 2011


creche? Or is that too developmental?
posted by Sunburnt at 2:53 PM on October 21, 2011


Response by poster: What?

The root of Doula is female slave.
posted by allen.spaulding at 3:51 PM on October 21, 2011


grasshatch.com appears to be available
posted by rhizome at 4:04 PM on October 21, 2011


Oxygen bar.
posted by SpacemanStix at 4:09 PM on October 21, 2011


Well, since it's an Innovation reSource,

InSource.
posted by jamjam at 5:42 PM on October 21, 2011


Memehouse.
posted by hishtafel at 6:11 PM on October 21, 2011


xForge is popular. Like IdeaForge, CreativeForge, or ThoughtForge. And, to the best of my ability does not suggest slaves.
posted by Samizdata at 1:13 PM on October 22, 2011


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