2.8
1. Introduction
This unit’s video provided examples of how the different stakeholders in an ecosystem (corporates, entrepreneurs, universities, risk capital, and government) play different roles in enhancing the I-Cap or E-Cap of a region.
This casebook takes a closer look into the roles that different stakeholders play in the Kendall Square innovation ecosystem. Located just at the edge of MIT, it’s the key innovation ecosystem that MIT participates in, and the primary innovation hotspot of Cambridge and Greater Boston. Through interviews with two representatives from different members of this ecosystem, you will gain an in-depth perspective into the roles that some of its stakeholders play, and how they collaborate to enhance the local ecosystem.
2. Government’s collaboration in the innovation ecosystem
Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has been a strong proponent of building innovation hubs and establishing connections between the many local institutions engaging in innovation. During his tenure as Governor, he often visited MIT to deliver addresses and conduct public forums, so as to strengthen the links between government and academia. In 2015, he joined the MIT Innovation Initiative (MITii) with the goal of connecting academic, industry, and government stakeholders to support the development of a stronger innovation ecosystem (Levenson 2015).
Through his active involvement in multiple innovation efforts, Patrick has also experienced its challenges firsthand. In an interview for MIT News, he explained that “innovation in government can be hard to do because when something goes awry, it’s all over the news” (Deval Patrick, quoted in Dizikes 2015). The following sections will include some of the insights into the challenges faced by the different stakeholders that you will be introduced to in Video 1. He speaks with Dr. Budden about the role that government can play in an innovation ecosystem, and how it has done so in Kendall Square.
Video 1: Challenges and opportunities as a government stakeholder.
To download the video, right-click here and choose "Save link/Target as".
To download the transcript for the video, right-click here and choose "Save link/Target as".
As former Governor Deval Patrick discussed in Video 1, government stakeholders can shape access to convening power. By utilizing this resource, the government can ensure collaboration between various stakeholders that can lead to an effective and successful innovation ecosystem – a key focus of Patrick’s.