Skip to content

Learn / Who advances districts? / Ecosystem builders / New Anchors

A “new-type” of anchor

New types of anchors include local foundations, workforce organizations, and community development corporations

The role of new anchors

Over the past 20 years, economic growth in many countries has become increasingly uneven, driving a wedge of economic disparity between and within cities and metropolitan areas. Innovation districts are often physically adjacent to neighborhoods with low educational attainment, high levels of unemployment, and marginal levels of private investment. Their success—and that of their cities and regions—demands long-term and highly intentional strategies that combine advanced innovative development with inclusive growth.

Active work on-the-ground in innovation districts suggests that to address such disparities, districts demand new types of anchors. These anchors have a dedicated mission to advancing the educational and employment opportunities of local residents. They can own land in the district or be a major investor. Such anchors can also be an important service provider, driving the delivery of services and programs to strengthen education and employment opportunities of regional residents.

Who advances districts?

 

 

R&D intensive actors

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

Learn More

Ecosystem builders

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

Learn More

Investors

Governments, real estate developers, philanthropies and capital investors.

Learn More

Mission-driven organizations

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

Learn More