Innovation ecosystems can be defined as “a loosely interconnected network of companies and other entities that coevolve capabilities around a shared set of technologies, knowledge, or skills, and work cooperatively and competitively to develop new products and services” (James F. Moore “Predators and prey: a new ecology of competition”, 1993) 

Leading cities that have shown openness to innovation, stimulated and encouraged it, record success in dealing with local challenges and enjoy urban resilience and social, economic and environmental well-being. Whether it is products, technologies or services - innovative solutions improve the functioning of the city in various fields, including transportation, energy, water, food, waste management, ecology, urban nature, climate and more.

To find solutions for these and other areas, a very useful first step would be to see how the different components and areas of the city are related to each other and interact with each other. This is where nature can come to our aid - a look at complex ecosystems reveals what we call an "ecosystem" - an efficient and wonderful network of interdependence and interactions between the system's components. If we are able to learn from an ecological ecosystem, identify and adopt similar features, we can build an urban ecosystem of innovation on a different scale and contribute to the city's prosperity and making it sustainable.

What makes an ecological ecosystem successful?

Despite the great complexity of ecosystems, they all have a small number of powerful principles that make them successful over time:

Diversity and reciprocity  

Ecosystems are more resilient when they contain a diversity of species. Accordingly, a diverse combination of ideas, technologies and approaches can strengthen the connections and reciprocity between the parts of the ecosystem, thus improving the resilience and creativity of and allowing it to thrive in the face of various challenges.

Flexibility and adaptability 

The power of the components of an ecosystem to adapt to changing conditions, makes it more immune to the changes taking place. In the case before us, this is true for every player and especially for the local authority that enables and promotes the ecosystem.

Connectivity 

The ecosystem consists of a network of connections, ties, nodes and anchors that differ in size and centrality. The more the scope of the relationships and connections between the parts of the system increases, the stronger and more diverse it is.

Regeneration

Nature has the ability to grow and develop by using renewable local resources - this is how the system nourishes itself and its environment. 

Thanks to these principles, ecosystems have proven to be efficient, flexible and sustainable over the ages. If we know how to use them in the process of planning and building our ecosystem of innovation, we can ensure its growth and prosperity over time - similar to the resilient ecosystems of nature.

Now that we understand what an innovation ecosystem is and how it can be established according to ecosystem principles, let's dive into the steps in the toolbox

Learn More: Resilient Ecosystems - the Complex Fabric of a Thriving City