Anchor institutions: universities and medical institutions
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Advance / Who we work with / Investors
Investors
work with us to connect with innovators and fund initiatives with sustainable returns
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A diverse set of investors engage with us to advance districts in crucial but distinct ways
Districts rely on a diverse set of investors to capitalize the range of investments districts need to both grow and sustain. In addition to seeking a return on their investment, investors often have other impact-oriented goals. Considering the range of assets found in districts, district investors often include:
Real estate: developers and REITs
Institutional investors: Pension funds and insurance
Private equity and venture capital
Philanthropy and impact investors
Companies
Two types of investors we work with:
As a real estate developer, you might be seeking strategic support in one more or these areas:
Understanding — What is the innovation district model and how does this model differ from other types of real estate develoments and investments? What are the kinds of Returns on Investment that would make us value districts as a model? How are districts de-risking themselves, becoming a valuable unified asset-class?
Relationships — What are the best avenues for fostering connections with stakeholders in public, private and not for profit sectors? What are the ways to become a trusted partner to innovation district leadership and the anchor institutions that play an outsized role?
Market-fit — Where can I find well organized districts match our ambitions as a real estate developer? How can our approach in our engagement with districts be validated? What are proven avenues to secure the right projects that will advance the R&D capabilities, drive industry attraction, and physical transform a districts?
Scale & globalization — Can we replicate our local success with districts around the world? How can we systematize the way we provide services across multiple districts? How can we secure economies of scale and international business growth?
As philanthropy, you might be seeking strategic support in one more or these areas:
Understanding — What is the innovation district model and why does it have the capacity to address socio-economic, racial and ethnic inequities? How are districts evolving in this work, driving new place-based practice to upskill, solve community health challenges, create accessible places for a diversity of people?
Impact — Who are the right partners that can increase the impact of our funding? What are the right kinds of investments that can be scaled and underwritten by other partners? How can my role change to increase the level of impact within districts?
Know-how — What are examples of district leadership and programs to demonstrate that districts can advance your goals? What are best practices I need to learn about to inform how and where I support districts? What are potential risks we might face?
How we work with investors
Practice-oriented research
Undertake a regional, state or national R&D analysis to identify areas of outsized strength and potential.
For a specific district, identify their competitive advantages and their most pressing gaps and vulnerabilities.
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Global Network
Sharpen and strengthen the model of innovation districts with a peer-learning and educational program.
Join a collective of 46 worldwide districts where leaders come together to support one another.
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Strategic support
Work closely with us to design a tailored strategy that leverages your vision and specific ambitions to support place-based innovation.
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Global Summit
Actively participate in the face-to-face events to learn and discuss the evolving model of innovation districts given changes in macro forces that affect cities, regions and nation states.
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