Credit: Joshua Rawson-Harris
The University of Edinburgh (UE) and Heriot-Watt (HW) University, in collaboration with six other regional colleges and universities, at least five municipal government agencies, and the Scottish government, have initiated a long-term goal to create a “data capital of Europe.” They will do this by leveraging the educational and research-based resources of regional academic institutions, along with the long-term support of municipal, regional, and national agencies and the private sector.
The program’s technological focus is on providing services based on high-speed data analytics and involves such things as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud and blockchain. Both the UE and HW have made major educational and research commitments to this technology. Both UE and HW have strong, international reputations for excellence in science, engineering and technology, as well as business and entrepreneurship.
There are several important “take-aways” from the Edinburgh initiative, which may be obvious after careful reflection, but are frequently overlooked in the rush of excitement and enthusiasm to establish these innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The following “take-aways,” are based on a discussion with Mr. Gordon Douglas, COO, and Dr. John Lonsdale, Head of Enterprise Services of Edinburgh Innovations.
There must be a technology focus. It must be sufficiently broad to attract the interest of multiple, potential supporting organizations, yet sufficiently focused to make its commercial and economic payoff compelling and easily understood in the long term. This technology should focus on attracting investors for commercialization, as well as support from legislators and other elected officials.
Creating a regional innovation ecosystem requires a committed long-term public/private partnership. Such an initiative is simply too large with too many moving parts and competing goals for any single government agency, firm, or academic institution to achieve by itself.
Creating a regional innov ..
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