Is the World Flat? Exploring Regional Innovation Ecosystems

Silicon Valley, Kendall Square, Seoul, Bengaluru, London, and Munich—locations are pivotal to innovation and inclusive growth. Economists call them ecosystems: places where entrepreneurial actors, culture, infrastructure, and capital intersect to drive breakthroughs. Globally, these hotspots bridge gaps between business, academia, and civil society. In Germany, ecosystems shape research, policy, and economic strategies, yet their driving forces and regulatory needs remain underexplored. This session, based on insights of the MIT Regional Entrepeneurship Acceleration Program (REAP), explores how modern ecosystems accelerate innovation, distinguish themselves from traditional systems, and foster thriving, multi-stakeholder networks.