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The WAINOVA Atlas of Innovation gives a global picture of the innovation world, its nodes and sub-networks. The Atlas presents the first panoramic vision of science and technology parks (in its broadest meaning, including research parks, technopoles and similar concepts) and business incubators from all over the world.
According to Luis Sanz, WAINOVA Coordinator, “such a rich phenomenon as “innovation’ has a multitude of agents and players. Those grouped within WAINOVA (parks and incubators) are just two of many but have a special importance for their character as meeting points and linkages for other elements. Indeed, science and technology parks are the pivotal point in which companies, universities and public policies all come together, thus becoming propellers of innovation and growth, whereas, business incubators channel the innovation culture and the entrepreneurs’ energy for the creation of companies and jobs.
Sanz explains that “the global knowledge economy creates new work conditions and more competition, multiplies the importance of talent and skills, demands a fluid communication and collaboration between universities and companies, reinforces the role of entrepreneurs, and converts networks and networking into a cornerstone of our times’. He adds that “science, technology and research parks, together with innovation based business incubators, are projects that were conceived especially to work in this new environment, of which they are an essential part.’
The online visualization map is based on data originating from WAINOVA, the World Alliance for Innovation, which brings together major science parks and business incubator associations throughout the world. The relational networks layered on top of the world map illustrate a comprehensive, panoramic vision of “the knowledge and comprehension of innovation and its hugh importance for growth and and wealth creation”.
The Atlas references over 700 innovation nodes (technological and scientific parcs, business incubators and other scientific institutions) from around the world.
Sources
- WAINOVA Atlas of Innovation
- Atlas of Innovation E-book: Flash version, PDF version