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The Global Institute on Innovation Districts

Advance / How we support districts / PP DRAFT – On-the-ground support

Strategic support at every stage

Rigorous, tailored support across strategy, governance, R&D, and beyond — turning global insights and local analysis into real momentum

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Each year, GIID works with a select number of districts, engaging with leading organizations to craft comprehensive, integrated strategies built around their unique assets and vulnerabilities — across one or multiple areas of focus. What sets us apart: districts don’t just get a deliverable, they connect to a global community and a dynamic knowledge base — both shaping and drawing from GIID’s Global District Intelligence.

Focused on-the-ground support

Identify exceptional R&D capabilities within an anchor institution & across the district

Spot key partnerships to elevate collaborative research and new synergies

Help districts advance their governance and how to organize for success

Strategic advice & tailored guidance

Districts sometimes need timely support to address challenges or act on emerging opportunities. As a nonprofit, GIID’s strategic advisory services are designed to reflect our mission — enabling districts to access high-value guidance when it matters most.

Deep engagement:

Strategic on-the-ground support

Tailored side-by-side support to assess, strengthen, and advance innovation district strategy.

Designed for districts seeking in-depth strategic support on:

  • understanding R&D strengths and competitive advantages
  • developing a compelling value proposition
  • creating an evidence-based strategic framework
  • engaging and aligning stakeholders
  • strengthening governance and organizational strategy
  • assessing place and infrastructure to support innovation and growth

 

Support ranges from focused five-month projects to comprehensive multi-phase engagements. Because every district faces different opportunities and challenges, the scope and approach are informed by each district’s local context and priorities. Fees are based on the scope of work and can be discussed with the GIID team.

Light touch engagements:

We support multiple stakeholders

Our focus is on emerging geographies that possess unique R&D assets and are considering growing a district

  • Early-stage innovation districts
  • Individual anchor institutions
  • Large landowners
  • Multiple landowners
  • Governments
  • Developers
  • Development corporations

Who we’ve supported

Oak Ridge National Lab, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

The largest US government energy lab in the United States learned there were many locations in the region to develop an innovation district given their outsized innovation strengths.  GIID identified which R&D capabilities would be the most “sticky” to industry, identifying the optimal location, key researchers to lead the project, and how to transform aspects of the physical landscape to facilitate collaborative innovation.

New South Wales Government, Sydney, Australia

NSW Government needed to determine how best to govern one of its strongest innovation districts in the state. GIID undertook a deep and highly detailed global scan of the strongest governance models around the world. Building on this analysis, combined with dozens of interviews with local stakeholders, GIID developed options for a new governance structure including strategies for generating revenue.

Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Ohio, United States

Cleveland Clinic successfully secured state funding to advance an innovation district. With the support of GIID, the Clinic received an external audit of its unique R&D capabilities deemed particularly magnetic for industry collaboration and co-location. Through strategic engagements with Clinic leadership, a range of applied research niches were identified to elevate as part of their district. Further, GIID identified the first set of place-based investments to advance an innovation district that extends beyond the walls of the clinic.

Benefits of GIID’s on-the-ground support

Clarity
Your unique value proposition and what differentiates you from others in the market
Honest assessment
What it will take to move from existing capabilities to thriving in today’s competitive environment
Precise roadmap
How to proceed, including who is key to your team
Empirically-grounded
Evidence to demonstrate unique strengths and capabilities
Clearly defined
Outputs that will help strengthen your districts’ competitive advantage
Long-term engagement in a global community 
While our strategic work may end, you will be invited to continue to engage with other emerging and established districts

Accelerate your innovation ecosystem with confidence

Tell us more about your organization or district and how GIID can help you.

Get in touch