Insights from global innovation hubs

IASP’s global nature is a key asset when it comes to following all the important trends around the world. Join us for three days of knowledge sharing at IASP Virtual to hear from practitioners, experts and leaders working in innovation ecosystems as they share their unique perspectives, giving you a truly global overview as well as regional and sector-specific insights.

Connecting to...

Our CEO Ebba Lund will be talking to two well known figures in the world of science parks and areas of innovation. She'll be connecting to past IASP president Marco Baccanti in Adelaide, Australia (with an echo from Dubai and Italy), and to Torben Orla Nielsen in Boston  (with an echo from South Korea and Denmark) connecting to an industry they were once part of while they are now in new roles in other international settings. 

Talented people

In a conference focusing on “The Human Factor”, we will naturally be considering talent, and how science parks and areas of innovation can develop, attract and retain talented individuals.

In order to thrive, innovation ecosystems need the right people, and STPs and AOIs have a key role to play in identifying, developing and attracting them, as well as helping their cities and regions become places where talented individuals want to be. Find out how they are supporting their companies to find the best possible workforce by working with local schools and universities, and creating quality jobs for their local communities with perspectives from the UAE, Sweden, the USA and Poland, and focus the importance of placemaking and the built environment with insights from the UK, South Africa, Italy and Canada.

We’ll also be talking to five members of our Women in IASP subnetwork as they explore female talent in innovation ecosystems, and initiatives around the world to increase women’s involvement in STPs/AOIs, STEM subjects and in entrepreneurship.

Supporting entrepreneurs and a startup culture

Supporting entrepreneurs through incubation, and fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem is right at the heart of what our industry does: join us to explore global perspectives from Estonia to Brazil to Hong Kong to Sweden, find out what’s new in the world of business incubation and hear reflections on what the future might hold.

Collaboration within innovation ecosystems

Big corporates and tiny startups can both benefit hugely from working together: we’ll explore how innovation ecosystem managers can bring the right partners together and make sure they both gain from the collaboration, as well analysing how collaborative working and partnerships drive innovation across sectors, communities and cities.

Life science & sustainability

Life sciences and sustainability are hot topics worldwide and both are in the spotlight at IASP Virtual. Hear about the latest trends in life science and the impact of Covid 19 as well as expert settings to support local communities in difficult times with our panel of experts linked to science parks and innovation hubs in Sweden, Germany, Italy and Canada. And explore the role of innovation ecosystems when it comes to sustainability, be it environmental or human, with speakers from across Europe.

Global context and regional focus

As well as bringing you the big picture of what's happening around the world, IASP Virtual will also take a deeper dive into key issues in particular regions, highlighting the key themes for regional innovation ecosystems for our global audience. Travel around the world with panels from Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, North America and WANA!

Innovation communities & living labs

We'll also focus in on some of the world's most emblematic urban innovation hubs in London (Here East), Medellín (Ruta N) and Toronto (MaRS), with a focus their highly effective innovation communities a session moderated by IASP Chairman Paul Krutko (Ann Arbor SPARK, USA). Living Labs and city engagement are on the agenda too, comparing different regional approaches to urban experimentation and innovation worldwide. 

Explore the full programme and join us there from 1-3 December - and remember, delegates have on demand access to all the content for 2 months after the conference!