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Knowledge-intensive companies

Companies that develop or apply knowledge to create or improve cutting-edge products, services, or processes

The role of companies

Companies of various sizes and specializations are an important part of a district’s DNA. They contribute to a district’s critical mass of activity and people with specialized training and knowledge. We identify knowledge-intensive companies using the following criteria:

1
The company employs disproportionately large numbers of workers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) occupations; spends disproportionately large sums of its cash flow on research and development; or is primarily involved in manufacturing high technology goods.
2
The company primarily sells products and services to customers far from the company's headquarters or production facilities—that is, the company's products or services are intended primarily for non-local markets.
3
If not defined by one of the above criteria, the company provides services to organizations in the district. This includes law firms, consulting firms, accounting firms, marketing and advertising firms, media companies, and other advanced business or professional services firms.

Knowledge-intensive companies benefit from the types of assets, actors, and collaborative ecosystems found in innovation districts. For this reason, companies choose to locate in districts in an effort to strengthen their capacity to innovate and to scale to other markets.

Who advances districts?

 

 

R&D intensive actors

Universities & medical institutions, R&D magnets and companies.

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Ecosystem builders

A diversity of intermediaries, accelerators and incubators, and new kinds of anchors.

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Investors

Governments, real estate developers, philanthropies and capital investors.

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Mission-driven organizations

A set of organizations advancing districts social, economic and physical transformation.

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