Innovation Ecosystems 2025

Images: Getty Images Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2025 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword 3 Executive summary 5 1 Principle-based framework for responsible innovation 6 2 Collaborative governance and stakeholder engagement 10 2.1 Delivering on the principles: collaboration across the three lifecycle stages 11 of innovation districts 2.2 Set-up and early stage 12 2.3 Growth and scaling-up 17 2.4 Maturity 22 3 Human-centric design and sustainable places 23 3.1 Delivering on the principles: three components of good placemaking 24 for innovation districts 3.2 Designing spaces that drive innovation 25 3.3 Creating flexible infrastructure for testing and demonstration 28 3.4 Building vibrant community spaces 29 4 Efficient and scalable digital infrastructure 33 4.1 Delivering on the principles: three components of digital infrastructure 34 4.2 Foundations: connectivity, assets and infrastructure 36 4.3 Data sharing and digital services 39 4.4 Demonstration and enablement 41 5 From principles to practice 43 5.1 Eight actions for innovation districts to deliver the eight principles 45 5.2 Ten sequential steps to embed key actions for maximum success 47 Contributors 48 Endnotes 49 Innovation Ecosystems: A Toolkit of Principles and Best Practice 2