Stockholm to host inaugural conference on ‘innovation districts’

On 26 September, Stockholm will host a new international conference on economic development: Navigating the future of innovation districts.

Policymakers, industry leaders, academics, investors and real estate developers from the United States and Europe will meet at Stockholm City Hall to explore how to create the right environment for innovation and growth.

Speakers include Beth O’Neill Maloney (CEO of Kendall Square Association), Travis McCready (Director of Life Sciences at Americas Markets, JLL), Peter Wallenberg Jr (President of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation), and the Presidents of Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University.

The World Economic Forum, the World Bank and the influential US think tank Brookings have all described innovation districts as places where large “anchor” institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups and accelerators. Ideally, they offer physical proximity, reliable transport options and a mix of housing, offices, retail and public spaces.

“The City of Stockholm strongly believes in the central role that innovation districts play in fostering and sustaining innovation,” said Ylva Williams., CEO of the event organiser, Stockholm Science City: “The conference will be held in Hagastaden, a great example of a successful innovation district that has helped Sweden become a leader in innovation.”

“Looking ahead, we hope the conference will stimulate debate and influence policymaking to consider innovation districts as an important driver of sustainable economic growth,” Williams concluded.