Australian research and innovation policy keeps funding a program and expecting an ecosystem to grow where the money lands. The two are different instruments doing different things. A competitive, time-limited, university-led grant is built for accountability and speed, while a durable, demand-led collaboration is built for density and patience. Using the Trailblazer Universities Program and the CRC record, this Insight sets out four questions that settle the choice before mo

This article reviews The Handbook of Innovation Ecosystems , detailing its "four-domain convergence framework" . It argues that successful ecosystems are not accidental but require the deliberate, long-term integration of Placemaking, Economics, Business, and Governance . It provides a practical guide for policymakers and practitioners to move beyond rhetoric and build durable, inclusive innovation capacity .

Policymakers, business strategists, innovation professionals, and researchers are increasingly being asked to invest in, create, or replicate innovation ecosystems. Until now, a clear framework for understanding what ecosystems are, how they function, and what enables their success has been largely missing, particularly in Australia. The Handbook of Innovation Ecosystems: Placemaking, Economics, Business, and Governance, just published by the Acton Institute for Innovation,

New research examining 80+ international innovation districts reveals what drives success. From MIT's Kendall Square to Singapore's One North, thriving ecosystems integrate placemaking, economics, business development and governance. Success comes from institutional capabilities and relationships, not impressive buildings. Australian policymakers can learn from global best practices whilst avoiding common pitfalls like property-led development models

John H. Howard, 15 April 2025 This Insight explores the growing significance of innovation ecosystems in driving economic transformation...