Innovation Districts

The New Innovation Geographies For the past 15 years, Julie Wagner and I have been engaging with dozens of cities and metropolitan areas on the organization of their innovation economies. Our work led us to write The Rise of Innovation Districts in 2014. Julie then co-founded The Global Institute on Innovation Districts in 2018 to build a field of practice, informed by objective evidence. Mega forces — the rise of geopolitical tensions, the reshoring of production, the acceleration of next generation technologies, the demand for skilled workers — are not only reinforcing the value of innovation districts but driving new kinds of innovation constellations. Our latest piece describes how these constellations include tightly bound innovation districts, manufacturing focused hubs with R&D capabilities and more expansive innovation corridors. We use examples from South Yorkshire’s AMRC, Pittsburgh’s AI Avenue and Phoenix’s emerging industrial landscape to illustrate the new spatial configurations. The upshot is this: to maximize productivity, technological advancement and worker performance, the mapping, branding and activation of connected economic geographies takes on renewed importance for public, private and civic institutions and investors. https://lnkd.in/gPekyJsP

Cambridge’s Innovation Ambition: Lessons from Kendall Square & Bold Steps Forward I don’t post often, but the last few weeks have been pivotal for University of Cambridge and our mission to accelerate innovation. It all started with a visit to Kendall Square, Cambridge MA, alongside colleagues from the University, the Cambridge Delivery Company, Innovate Cambridge, and the Ox-Cam Corridor Delivery Unit. 🔍 Key Takeaway? There’s no ‘secret sauce’—but there are powerful lessons to apply. Over the last decade, Cambridge MA has built world-class innovation infrastructure, transforming its ability to launch and scale science-driven businesses. We saw this firsthand, visiting six major innovation hubs— The Engine, CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center), LabCentral, Greentown Labs, Harvard Innovation Labs, and MassRobotics. What stood out? ✅ Co-location is key—early-stage companies, venture capital, shared lab spaces, corporate partners, and a thriving community under one roof. ✅ Mission-driven ambition—The Engine at MIT alone houses hundreds of companies, a $1bn venture fund, and an accelerator, all dedicated to scaling ‘tough tech’ solutions. ✅ Unparalleled scale—Lab Central secured 21% of all Series A funding in US biopharma last year, while Greentown Labs’ climate tech startups have raised $1bn+. 📌 The message was clear: Deliberate action fuels success. Research drives economic growth, but it takes strategic partnerships between government, universities, and industry to fully unlock its potential. Back home, we’re putting these lessons into practice: Last week we welcomed Lord Vallance from Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to Cambridge to visit our location for the planned The Cambridge Innovation Hub. It is in a prime location on Hills Road, bridging the Station Road innovation corridor (home to Microsoft, Apple, Amazon) with Collegiate Cambridge. Endorsed by Rt Hon Rachel Reeves in her recent growth speech, it’s a critical step forward. The Cambridge West Innovation District – With planning permission secured for 4m sq ft, we’re preparing for the next phase of development, creating space for groundbreaking research and enterprise. 📰 Even the Financial Times took notice, highlighting Cambridge’s unique role in driving UK economic growth. (Read it here: https://on.ft.com/4iUR1vU) 📢 Last week, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s latest spinout review confirmed that the University of Cambridge led the UK in new spinouts. From climate tech to cancer breakthroughs, our startups are tackling global challenges. (Full report: https://lnkd.in/eeJpeEqc) When you combine the world’s highest concentration of patents and academic entrepreneurs per capita with a proven ability to convert innovation into impact, you get real economic growth and societal change. Cambridge has bold plans—and we’re delivering at pace. Thrilled to be part of making this happen!

While Washington debates policy on social media and TV, it’s also building the future of entrepreneurship. A few blocks north of The White House, something remarkable is happening: the Penn West Equity and Innovation District is showing what cities can accomplish when public and private sectors actually collaborate instead of competing. Here, the Golden Triangle BID, The George Washington University, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and infrastructure from Founder Institute, in concert, are proving that entrepreneurship isn’t a political slogan, it’s civic responsibility. Creating alignment. Firms like Revolution, In-Q-Tel, Paladin Capital Group, SineWave Ventures, Ardent Venture Partners, NextGen Venture Partners, 1776 Ventures, Village Capital, and Halcyon Ventures aren’t just financing companies, they’re financing capacity where technology meets governance, where markets depend on trust, and where regulation becomes a competitive advantage. Around them, local investors such as Blu Venture Investors, K Street Capital, and D.C. ArchAngels fill the early-stage pipeline. This unique investor landscape makes Washington one of the few places where civic purpose and venture performance reinforce each other, creating #startups that don’t just scale but shape the systems they inhabit. The systems that produce enduring companies and mitigate risk in venture capital: research, workforce, placemaking, and connection. This is the kind of coalition every city should aspire to build; not another grant program or accelerator, but an ecosystem intentionally designed to make entrepreneurship inevitable. 🗞 Washington’s Blueprint for Public-Private Innovation 👉 I dive deep about why, how, and offer a path for you to figure out how to do the same:

Valencia's Rise as a Global Innovation Hub 🇪🇸 In my career, I've had the privilege to visit many innovative ecosystems. Valencia is a beautiful city and one of Europe's extraordinary entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. My first visit was ten years ago, and in 2024, you can see the difference. In the past year alone, the number of startups has increased by 30%, highlighting the city's dynamic growth in the tech and innovation sectors. 📈 Here are some interesting figures; believe me, you will book a trip after this: 1️⃣ Over 200 new startups launched in 2023, contributing to the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape. 2️⃣ Investment in Valencia-based startups surged by 50%, reaching an all-time high of €300 million. 3️⃣ The city attracted top talent worldwide, with a 40% increase in skilled professionals relocating to Valencia for career opportunities. 4️⃣ Valencia's innovation district saw a 60% increase in coworking spaces, fostering collaboration and creativity among entrepreneurs and startups. 5️⃣ Marina de Empresas: It's a hub for companies, investment funds, and EDEM, a business training school founded by Juan Roig. And there is much more; this growth has a supportive ecosystem that includes incubators, accelerators, venture capital firms, and government initiatives promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.  #ValenciaInnovation #TechBoom #Entrepreneurship #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital #GlobalTalent #InnovationDistrict #FutureofWork #Collaboration #InvestmentGrowth #SpainTech