Professor Nicos Komninos mentioned the Innovation Cities Index in the leading URENIO resource site. Professor Komninos is one of the pioneers of knowledge-based and cluster forms of innovation in cities (along with knowledge economy pioneer Professor Carrillo of Monterrey), and respected and quoted by 2thinknow.

This followed an article in Greek Daily To Vima, where our Executive Director, Christopher Hire was interviewed following Professor Komninos — regarding innovation in Athens and the Greek economy.

These are a selection of the other interesting news stories we received in European newspapers, journals and news sites:

NUzakelijk (Netherlands): “Amsterdam in top 10 innovative cities (Amsterdam in top 10 innovatieve steden)”

France Innov’City: “Exclusive: 2011 Index of the most innovative in the world unveiled(Exclusivité : l’index 2011 des villes les plus innovantes du monde dévoilé)” (from the Ille d’Paris)

20 Minutes (French): “NANTES – Nantes parmi les plus innovantes”

Executive Digest (Portugal): ” The world’s most innovative cities(As cidades mais inovadoras do mundo)”

HG.HU(Hungary): ” The world’s most innovative cities (A világ leginnovatívabb városai)”

Economia 24 (Poland): “Boston’s most innovative city(Boston najbardziej innowacyjny)”

Onet Biznes (Poland): “The most innovative cities in the world”

ERR (Estonia): “Rating: Boston is a city in the world for innovation(Reiting: maailma innovaatilisim linn on Boston)”

Postimees(Estonia): “A hundred of the most innovative cities in the world there is no Estonian”

Italians in Fuga (Italy): “Classifica delle città più innovative al mondo”

2thinknow’s Innovation Cities™ Index provoked quite a discussion in Russia, and a worthwhile discussion on types of innovation for Russian cities.

Here’s a discussion from Korrespondent (Russian): “Q: Smart City. Rating of the most innovative cities in the world”

More from, the Voice of Russia: “Researchers named top-10 innovative cities of the world” (EN)

Lenta (Russian): “Russian cities were not included in the one hundred most innovative in the world”

Infox (Russian): “Moscow dropped from the list of the most innovative cities in the world”

Ukraine: “Named the most innovative places in the world”

Some other articles appeared in Germany, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Amsterdam and other capitals. If you see a news story, let us know.

Please note we are aware of printed newspaper articles which we may not have captured. If there are any significant articles captured not listed here, you can let us know and we will up date this site. We also are aware of a great number of blog sites too numerous too list, but please draw any great sites to our attention.

The analysts at 2thinknow were of course flattered by this coverage for our innovation agency from these sources.

For Asian and Americas see this separate coverage.

2011 City Results

The 5th Annual Innovation Cities Index was released today by 2thinknow, classifying city innovation globally. The release includes 4 regional and 2 global indexes for 331 benchmark cities, across 80+ countries.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View short Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Please reproduce the index results in articles, blogs and media as per license terms.

Order Report

The October edition Innovation Cities Analysis Report on the Index, city trends and building urban innovation economies, is available to order. > New Edition > Report Site > Order!

Subscribe

For those interested in one city’s performance, data and analyst briefing services are now bundled available via > Innovation Cities Program subscription.

Media Release

This is an extended Media Release, please use as appropriate.

DATE: Tuesday, 18TH October 2011.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Boston came first again in a field of 331 cities in the Innovation Cities Global Index. This year’s top cities were rounded out by San Francisco Bay Area, Paris, New York and Vienna, as the 5th annual index was released today by analysts from innovation agency 2thinknow. 2thinknow is based in Melbourne, Australia.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data identified innovation as the key driver of economic recovery from previous recessions and downturns for nations, and 2thinknow’s annual index extends this to cities.

Melbourne came tops over an improved Sydney this year for innovation, in the 5^th Annual Innovation Cities Asia Index.  Tokyo and Shanghai rounded out the top five cities, in the index released today by analysts from innovation agency 2thinknow.

The Innovation Cities Asia Index was one of four regional and two global indexes released in Melbourne, today.

European cities continued to place well globally, often indicating a separation between city and national performance.

Comparing European cities in the global indexes, Germany’s Munich continued climbing up to 7th place globally from 15th. Amid struggling UK cities London improved to 11th from 14th, as Manchester (32nd) rose to Nexus status for the first time. In Europe, Italian and Spanish cities fell further outside the top rankings, with Barcelona (19), Milan (16), Madrid (52) and Torino (80) ranked counter to poor national trends. Other top tier European Nexus cities listed included Amsterdam (6), Lyon (8), Copenhagen (9), Frankfurt (12), Hamburg (13) and Berlin (14).

According to 2thinknow Executive Director, Christopher Hire, “Key cities will perform out of pattern with nations, as nations enter or exit economic malaise, or multi-speed economies.”

In 2011, 331 benchmarked cities were scored on 162 indicators by 2thinknow based on their facility to generate product, process, service and other innovation types across an urban economy. Results are classified into five bands of performance including top-tier Nexus and Hub cities, followed by globally competitive Node cities.

According to 2thinknow, Executive Director, Christopher Hire, the “Innovation Cities Global Index measures cities as innovation economies. We collect and assess data for transport, universities, arts, design, sustainability, economics, start-up facilities, labour, technology and other indicators to measure the opportunity cities offer their citizens.”

The analysts noted that city performance can be faster to turn around than overall national performance. All indexes are available on www.innovation-cities.com

The analysts first named Boston as the second-top global innovation destination in 2007. In 2011, the analysts stated that Boston’s dominant institutions Harvard and MIT, coupled with a strengthening start-up and arts in global networks kept the city number one overall globally across multiple economic segments in the turbulent national economic cycle. In Canada, Nexus city Toronto moved up two places to 10th globally. Montreal joined Seattle and Los Angeles as North American Nexus cities for the first time.

The top 10% of 331 cities were classified as Nexus cities by the analysts. Nexus cities were the analysts best general destinations for innovation, followed by the next 73 Hub cities named as challengers in many sectors of the city economy. The balance of cities were classified as Node cities or in two lower performance bands. According to the analyst’s classification, Node cities are globally competitive for innovation.

In 2011 the Index uniquely foresees stronger U.S. innovation performance over 2 to 5 years, based on mid-size city businesses seeking innovation opportunities in global cities. 2thinknow noted that across the USA, most major U.S. cities were likely to be globally competitive Node or above, by meeting mid-level benchmarks for innovation. The analysts identified Human Infrastructure and Cultural Asset investment as key to stronger U.S. performance.

Hong Kong climbed to 15th globally and first Nexus in Asia, ahead of Australia’s city economies represented by Melbourne and Sydney, at 17th and 20th respectively. A weakened Tokyo moved temporarily down to 22nd place ahead of a steady Shanghai (24) among a record 24% Asian Nexus cities, also including Seoul. China’s economic performance to date was reflected by more Chinese cities than ever in the global Index, and the entry of cities like Wuhan and Chengdu for the first time.

Global Hub cities rising in the analyst rankings this year included Bordeaux, Vancouver, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Orlando and Shenzhen. Well-known cities the analysts discounted significantly this year included St Petersburg, Moscow and Buenos Aires (replaced in South America by São Paulo). Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod technology city and Rostov-na-Donu entered the Index for the first time, as Mumbai became India’s first Hub city. Cape Town this year became the first African Hub city. Adelaide in Australia also became an Asian Hub based on new investment activity.

According to 2thinknow, Executive Director, Christopher Hire, the “Innovation Cities Global Index measures cities as innovation economies. This goes beyond technology or patents alone. 2thinknow analysts also collect data on assess transport, universities, arts, design, sustainability, economics, start-up facilities, labor as well as other factors to measure the opportunities cities offer their citizens. We aim to measure cities economic opportunity not nations.”

In 2011 the 331 cities benchmarked for innovation, up from 289 cities in 2010 and compared with 256 cities in 2009. The top 125 cities were ranked by the analysts based on 21 current global trends, listed in the accompanying Innovation Cities Analysis report. The indicators framework, models and global analysis of trend impact were also outlined in the report. 2thinknow launched the index in 2007 and expanded the index in 2009 to 289 cities.

Each year, the global index and top rankings are released with four regional indexes, that classify and then rank the top cities for North & South America, Europe, Asia and Emerging regions. In 2007 the analysts predicted the Global Financial Crisis as a “September (2008) shock event”, and Indexes predicted London’s fall and foresaw counter-cyclical strong performance of German and French cities overall.

Cities move in the Index over 2 or 3 year periods, and many city classifications have been relatively stable year on year since 2009.

— ENDS—

SPOKESPERSON

Christopher Hire
Executive Director
2thinknow ICP

+61 409 787 960 (Mobile)
+61 3 9935 2927
TIME: Melbourne, Australia (AEST)

Rapid email: media@2thinknow.com

Cities Data

Separately, City Benchmarking Data from the 2thinknow Index is city-level available to order for any 331 benchmark cities (from all regions) for all 162 indicators, or any mix of cities and indicators for city data projects. > Data Site

For single cities this data is bundled with annual reports, at a discount via top-tier subscriptions via Innovation Cities Program subscription.

Host the Innovation Course™ training workshops in cities around the world.

The Innovation Course™ uniquely uses 2thinknow’s extensive innovation library of data and case studies from sectors and cities. This allows your participants to safely apply innovation in real-world conditions, with exercises from idea generation to implementation to communication.

Learn in 2 day standard, 1 day express, or 3-4 day deep-dive courses. Held at your office, at a training centre in your city.

2thinknow : 1st Innovation Agency

Brought to you by first innovation agency 2thinknow est. 2006. As seen in the Boston Globe, CNET, ABC, Fox, and local newspapers worldwide.

Innovation Skills Training

The Innovation Course focuses on innovation skills, and practical models for innovation.

Innovation Careers

Become the innovation experts in your company and industry. Re-brand yourself with innovation — and give your career a boost only with the Innovation Course™ by 2thinknow.

Vendor Certification

2thinknow can also provide vendor-certification in innovation, for professionals.

Only the Innovation Course™ by 2thinknow transfers innovation skills to your team and challenges.

Innovation training: book the Innovation Course™ workshop for your team.

> Go to the Innovation Course™ site

The questions below are by Zsuzsa Kravalik, freelance journalist.

Below are English answers. The Hungarian final version (edited/translated) article appeared on the popular Hungarian site Index.hu, as well as Hungarian urban planning sites > more here.

Why do you focus on Innovation and not other aspects of life? Why is “innovation” so distinct a character that you specialise on it?

Innovation matters because it a universal process across different business, social services and industries. To create the change needed in cities like Budapest, they must embrace the change process. This is distinct from ‘academic theory’ on innovation or change, but a practical process of change, in the 2thinknow view.

As to our definition, innovation is “structured change to benefit stakeholders” (from 2thinknow definition, version 2.4.). In short, innovation means people can change their communities, businesses can change their business models, and hopefully, government can improve its capacity to deliver services to people.  By examining innovation as a change process 2thinknow can independently measure the success (or failure) of innovation across sectors and industries.

For cities like Budapest, or Pecs, and East European capitals from Bucharest to Warsaw from 2thinknow’s view this means change to benefit citizens and grow local business opportunities for community enterprises. Right now, in the current economic climate, it is communities that create innovation, often not centralised decision making.

In your Innovation cities index you measured, compared and categorized 289 cities. You analysed 31 industry-community segments. Which are the strong and weak points (industries/community segments) of Budapest?

In 2010, Budapest achieved the above benchmark or top of the band scores in some elements of Architecture, Arts such as film, emerging crafts sectors, public art galleries and museums, mobility on all modes (excellent metro by global standards), energy, water supply, viticulture (although potentially impacted now), education, some logistics, and with some improvement needed, commerce.

Budapest scored competitively but less well than competing cities on business, further improvement on commerce, and some aspects of government. This does not mean attracting ‘big business’ and multi-nationals, but longer term wealth creation from mid-size companies within an innovation framework. Some learning from overseas companies may be required, but this, in our view, is not the only way. And in our analysis, environmental concerns must hold sway against excessive dirty industries in Budapest and broader East Europe.

Is there a sector on what Budapest should focus? For a Budapest-size city does it make sense to choose a few sectors and concentrate on them or is it more beneficial to try to invest and higher across the whole field of urban life?

There are many sectors which Budapest could improve on.  First a warning about ‘fads’. The transient nature of trends means last year’s ‘hot area’ is no longer tomorrow’s. Financial services were the hot topic of the last few years, but they don’t create lasting wealth for cities like Budapest. ‘Carbon markets’ are a proposed solution to global warming, but misapplied they can entrench disadvantage and poverty, as well as destroy farming land (which will have a higher value in future). In general, today’s newspaper articles are tomorrow’s fish wrapper. So it’s important not to follow fads. Fads are not innovation.

2thinknow view innovation as structured change, lasting change, to benefit citizens, communities, and businesses those citizens rely on.

So, our view is that cities like Budapest should identify key strengths, and improve those areas. But also look for really low benchmark areas and make those competitive. Some of those low benchmark areas are listed below in questions.

We have a recommended approach to change planning. It is based on 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data which measures a single city data-set of a city on 162 city indicators. City Benchmarking Data identifies and classifies the areas of strongest and weakest performance against all other cities, including a variety of data. Leaders and organizations within cities can use this information to create a change plan, or work with 2thinknow to do so.

Budapest already has the basis of a fully-formed economy, suitable to larger cities, which is superior to one key specialisation. Innovation segments that Budapest has been stronger than competing cities, in include film (historic strength), the arts, industry, software (although this is constantly changing), conferences and tourism. For us to comment more, the  mix of sectors requires detailed analysis and inside knowledge of existing strategy and internal data.

In our view, Budapest could start with enabling a more business-oriented approach of dynamic start-ups targeted at agriculture, viticulture and other indicators within the food segment.

You publish your Index yearly. From 2009 to 2010 Budapest moved down from 36th to 61th while Prague moved up from 74th to 29th. How could you explain this change? What has changed in these two cities during one year?

The Innovation Cities Index, globally listing 289 cities. This is published yearly around from Aug-October (depending on global events). The accompanying Innovation Cities Analysis Report is published annually, with an additional 6 month update.

Different to other indexes, Innovation Cities Index is trend-weighted. Whilst underlying benchmark scores of cities may not change each year, the relative importance (or weighting) does.  So cities can move around within the top 100. Both Prague and Budapest are nexus and hub cities respectively.

In 2010, the Index is based on our assessment of cities potential for innovation in the current economic climate. However, the Global Financial Crisis changed weightings substantially. The GFC was impacting Budapest more strongly in some segments, than Prague. We also adjusted other factors in 2010, such as the time frame in years, and there is an ongoing calibration year on year as better data comes to hand.

Budapest is a hub city, which means it is a critical juncture for innovation in multiple sectors of the economy. The city’s closest competitor is Prague, which in 2010 was a nexus. Some of this is due to geography, but as nexus cities like Melbourne, Sydney or Singapore show geography can be overcome by a co-ordinated approach.

It seems Vienna is really high on your scoreboard. Last year it was 2nd globally and this year it is only behind Boston, Paris and Amsterdam. How could you explain its innovation strength?

We are measuring a broad suite of 31 segments, these include one-third Cultural Assets, as well as Human Infrastructure, and Networked Markets as the other thirds. On our Index, Vienna scores well among the same top 5 cities that also includes New York. These cities have the basis for creating innovation, and inside the European Union, Austria has a great potential to create innovation.

In terms of being balanced city, Vienna ranks well on Cultural Assets such as arts, museum, events, city information, language aspects. Human infrastructure sees good transport and mobility options, favourable entry point to East Europe, logistics, business, start-ups, commerce, education, medicine, economics. And in terms of Networked Markets indicators Vienna is globally well-connected. Once again some of this is geography, that changes only over time.

Of course, Vienna has the pre-conditions of innovation it is up to Vienna to use them.

We Hungarians like scoreboards and like to compare ourselves to others. Does it makes sense to compare ourselves to others or would it be better to check the individual factors and work on them?

All cities do! The use of rankings and scorecards is worthwhile. Our Index is trend-weighted, independent, and also from outside the leading economies of USA, E.U., China, Japan and even Canada. We also accept no funding from government. We make our revenue from the sale of Innovation Cities Analysis Report, City Benchmarking Data, the Innovation Course, Local Innovation Forum events and other services to cities, business and government.

This means 2thinknow can see European cities, and East European capitals, with a cool eye from outside. Our Innovation Cities Index is the largest and broadest index. Our Index goal is always measuring potential for economic and social development of cities, through innovation potential.

The City Benchmarking Data is an economic and social analysis based on global comparatives and independently produced. So this is separate to a ranking, and thus provides more enlightenment. It balances academic theory with practical considerations.

For other worthwhile indexes, include liveability surveys from Mercer and EIU measure how desirable a city is for western expats (so are designed to determine hardship postings). But these indexes are not ‘how good’ a city is. Many people do not want to live in the extreme cold climate cities that often win these rankings.

Forbes, FT and Fortune produce some of the best news/magazine indexes, along with Conde Nast for tourism. Magazine rankings such as Monocle and many others are less useful for economic purposes unless in partnership with someone like 2thinknow, EIU or Mercer. Many national indexes or smaller attempts do not include enough cities to be worthwhile. Nor do they include enough indicators. Many magazine rankings have many design faults.

Budapest is often compared to Vienna and Prague, but maybe there any other cities in Central Europe to what Budapest can be better compared, to which cities Budapest is more similar, such as Venice or Berlin? Are there any such cities?

Budapest is far ahead of many of it’s competitors in East Europe across multiple segments. However, other cities such as Warsaw and Tirana (despite low scores) have a business approach that may in some indicators, be superior. It’s this Western thinking (without the worst aspects of Western business) that will determine future success in this area of the world.

Personally, I prefer to live in Budapest among all East European cities I have visited, and it is a beautiful city. It also had the best coffee and some of the best food quality of any city in Europe. I enjoyed the markets. Many Western (especially North American) cities do not have this, and food quality will be a big issue, along with organic food in the West. Preventing the industrialisation of farming and allowing for the maintenance of food nutrient quality will be a big issue in the future.

Reducing industrial pollution, whilst investing in new cleaner manufacturing may be areas of interest to Budapest.

For interesting comparisons not normally considered — to Singapore, or Dresden, Gdansk, Copenhagen, Minneapolis, Lyon, Reykjavik (not as a better city, but based on recent experience), Hamburg, Melbourne, Fukuoka, Pittsburgh, and others may be enlightening. Each city can learn for good and bad from others.

The Innovation Cities Index compiles data into 3 factors: Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. How is Budapest’s performance on these 3 factors compared to European standards?

We reduce the detailed internal scores to a 3 factor score, each factor out of 10 for the Index. Budapest scored a 9 in Cultural Assets, alongside cities such as Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and London. This is exceptional.

In terms of Human Infrastructure, Budapest scored a 7 with Rome, Nuremberg, Reims and Nice. This is more than competitive, however in 2010 Prague beat Budapest by one point. Of course we have more detail on each of the 77 City Indicators, trend weighting and analysis that support this. A key driver was the impact of the GFC on the periphery of the E.U. In a connected world, all connections affect each other. Human Infrastructure includes the infrastructure of creating social and economic innovation.

The Networked Markets was 7, which again is above competitive. This means Budapest is a truly global city.

Usually innovation is thought to be the attribute of the private sector. Can cities, city governments and national governments do anything to boost innovation in cities? How important is innovation in the public sector?

Government can do a variety of things. In many ways this is the core of our work in East Europe.

It requires a full participation and engagement with the government to answer this question fully. In general, in Budapest generational change coupled with the correct techniques (not necessarily those academic thoughts taught purely in universities) can create a better climate for the right types of business, and a higher quality of life for citizens.

One thing Western cities in North America do well is keep government from interfering with some aspects of private sector. However, each culture is different and regulation of quality is necessary and something the E.U. does better. All modern cities have problems with corruption, but also conversely, cynicism.

The dream of a smart, globally connected Budapest, home to dynamic businesses is important. But government must have citizen oversight to reduce corruption and lobbyists – a cancer on innovation and business in all capital cities. Innovation must reward business merit, as outlined by Adam Smith in the 18^th century – despite the older generation of anti-Smith rhetoric!

What would you recommend for Budapest to do in the future to improve its innovation capacity?

In a direct sense, the city should purchase 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data as it is the most complete benchmark of the city available, using this to create a City Change Plan. And someone locally should hold a Local innovation Forum event. And use this event to engage young leaders in Budapest to enact change. We have put together all the elements to start in one place, at a lower cost than ‘going it alone’.

ABOUT 2THINKNOW CITY BENCHMARKING DATA: City Benchmarking Data from 2thinknow can provide benchmarks of all international cities that out-perform on over 180 City Indicators from local to high-tech manufacturing, labor force, business approach, company start-up times and all the data innovators, and cities, need.

We are the only company to provide actual performance data, with analysis, evidence and source URLs in Excel and Slide formats. All priced at USD $25 per location per indicator [PLPI] so it’s affordable data, relative to doing it yourself. If you compare 2 cities or 10 cities, we can tell you which cities are best at what you need. More > http://www.citybenchmarkingdata.com

Or contact us at 2thinknow to discuss your needs.

City Benchmarking Data™ is key industry or community data intelligence on any cities worldwide. Only from 2thinknow.

2thinknow produce the largest independent analyst data-set benchmarking city performance worldwide, with up to 162 indicators of data available to purchase for over 1,600 urban centers in 2011-12.

All data is delivered ‘ready-to-go’, licensed for your organizational use in multiple formats including spreadsheets, graphs and slides.

As seen in the Boston Globe or Reuters through the Innovation Cities™ Program and Index, and purchased by R&D departments, management consultants, multi-national corporations, city governments, chambers, trade boards, mayors, think tanks, tech firms and others worldwide.

Customer City Data Uses

Industry Data by Location
2thinknow have created a number of projects since 2006. Our group since 1999 have created scorecards to measure change performance. Our group created Australia’s first environmental scorecard for retailers at LendLease. In 2010, we revised LBG’s data process for benchmarking major Australian corporations for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Government Policy Data
2thinknow have worked on quick end-to-end projects for government based on design of scorecards and metrics. In 2009 we designed communication dashboards for state government ministers and their advisers to measure change.

Community : Social Innovation Metrics
We design scorecards for various community purposes, and our group has done work for the Anglican Retirement, Catholic Education and various NGOs seeking to embrace change in financial and business arrangements.

City Benchmarking Data™ by 2thinknow: Leading metrics to measure cities.

Resource Site > City Benchmarking Data™

Combine data with other innovation services.

Request data benchmarking as part of business, government and community innovation consulting services. Or do a course in innovation metrics, with a custom version of the Innovation Course™. Combine with other tools from the Innovation Toolkit by 2thinknow.

The Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report.

2thinknow publish the the Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report. The first and leading annual report on creating urban innovation economies. Purchased by government, chambers, cities, R&D, corporations, researchers, trade boards, mayors, think tanks, tech firms and others globally.

Part of the Innovation Cities Program, as seen in major media.

More on > dedicated report site.

Custom Innovation Analyst Reports

Creative Company Analyst Reports

Our well-constructed professional analyst reports apply the latest innovation frameworks outlined in the Innovation Course™ to your business problems. Affordable, and including a 3 stage phone consultation, with a wide variety of options.

Industry Analysis Reports

Leveraging our case studies and city benchmarking data, 2thinknow creates unique innovation analysis reports. Our innovation analysts provide solutions and insights to industries facing disruption.

City Planning Reports

This anlyst report is a detailed change plan to change your city or town. Each City Change Planning Report is structured to apply the Innovation Cities™ Framework and benchmarking data to your city or suburban municipality. The city process include detailed in-person and phone consultations.

Community Change Reports

For towns, suburban fringes, regions, communities, NGOs and others; the community change plan can be integrated to follow the Local Innovation Forum™ event, for an affordable start to changing your community.

Global City Markets

Analyst reports service is available globally in most cases. Events, courses and in-person services are available in USA, Canada, Europe, Oceania, Japan and many more locations. For more information > See Service Locations

Understand innovation, with 2thinknow Analyst Reports.

> Request an email Proposal for your Analyst Report.

Supporting Innovation Services

Start with the Innovation Course™ for your team, to identify innovation opportunities or change problems. Organize a  Local Innovation Forum™ event in your city or town, to inspire opportunities.

For more options, see the Innovation Toolkit by 2thinknow.

The event that shows what cities, towns, suburbs & communities can do to create social and economic opportunities for a local innovation economy.

Real answers to economic and social innovation, in each 5-6 hour event held in a local venue provided by the organizers. Attendees will be inspired with new ideas, case studies, benchmarking data, group exercises and follow-up resources.

Part of the Innovation Cities™ Program by 2thinknow, as seen in the Boston Globe and New York Times, and featured in local newspapers worldwide. Be the first to bring the event to your community.

The Local Innovation Forum™ event, is about communities for change.  > Event site.

Local innovation events, globally
Chambers of commerce, city government, community associations, professional event organizers and others can organize an Local Innovation Forum™ event in your local community.

Organizer Resources
We provide specialist resources to promote the event, issue/sell tickets online, organize local sponsors, hosting run sheets and follow-up resources for each event.

Affordable alternative to speakers
With a mix of funding options from direct sponsorship to online ticket sales, each event can be low-cost or organized as a for-profit (or fund-raising) venture (unlike other events).

Organize a Local Innovation Forum™ event in your community.

> More on Local Innovation Forum™ event.
> Availability in your region, for the Local Innovation Forum™ event & all services

Using the 2thinknow Innovation Design Life Cycle™ approach, 2thinknow analysts turns ideas and issues into innovation.

2thinknow innovation consulting uses the Innovation Design Life Cycle™ process. This end-to-end Life Cycle process includes access to 2thinknow analysis, analytical tools, innovation models, metric design, data gathering, and innovation training.

Indicative innovation consulting rates for 2thinknow innovation analysts here. 

Ask us for your custom innovation consulting proposal. Or contact us with your enquiry.