Innovation Ecosystems in Europe: First outline of an innovation ecosystem index

What criteria define a successful innovation ecosystem?

Innovation takes increasingly place in innovation ecosystems. Innovation ecosystems allow its members to share resources and collaborate which are seen as essential to create innovation. This is why innovation ecosystems are increasingly established and supported by public and private organisations. But, managers of innovation ecosystems are facing many challenges and a lot of questions about innovation ecosystems are still unanswered. Imec – SMIT – VUB on behalf of the Digital Transition Partnership which brings cities, EU countries and the European Commission together, has conducted a study to find the influencing criteria of innovation ecosystems in Europe and to support managers of innovation ecosystems with new insights. The study was based on a survey conducted in June 2019, in which 325 experts of innovation ecosystems in Europe have shared their insights and knowledge. Information on a total of 247 innovation ecosystems could be collected and analysed. Data was collected from 35 countries and 163 cities covering almost all of Europe.