New Strategic Role of Science Parks in Cities: Regional Innovation Ecosystem Management Coordinator, and the case of Isfahan Science & Technology Town (ISTT) in Isfahan Region

In this paper, we examine the case of one Science Park and how it has faced with further transformation, from local knowledge-based economy development and entrepreneurship facilitation center to an innovation hub and regional innovation ecosystem coordinator in its region. One of the hallmarks of an innovation ecosystem coordinator is that it accesses to all main elements in the ecosystem. A sustainable regional innovation ecosystem must include four main factors: talents, local technologies, global networks, top-runners and attractive players. The case of Isfahan Science and Technology Town (ISTT) illustrates how one science park has benefited from its circumstances as an innovation development structure among other ecosystem players (entrepreneurs’ community, finance, academia, private and public sector) and implementing innovation national economy road development programs.