CM 1: Innovation Ecosystem Lifecycle

Designed by
Josiah Eyison & Arkeisha Pace

2022
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE 1
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE 2
 Learning Objectives
Key Objective
• The purpose of the module is to introduce innovation hubs to the stages of
development of the larger innovation ecosystem including the objectives,
challenges, necessary linkages, and interventions that characterize each growth
phase
Expected Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze the development phases of an innovation ecosystem
2. Identify the critical role of innovation hubs in the development of the innovation
ecosystem
3. Evaluate avenues for the development of an ecosystem at each phase

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1.1 Introduction to an Innovation Ecosystem
What is an ecosystem and what makes an ecosystem stand out? This module will give you
an understanding of innovation ecosystems.

1.2 Phases of Ecosystem Development

Every ecosystem develops over time. This module is dedicated to helping you understand
the phases that communities go through to become ecosystems.

1.3 Challenges and Interventions in the Development of an Innovation Ecosystem

Sometimes there are challenges in developing an innovation ecosystem. During this
module, you will be able to identify some of the challenges and learn about interventions
that support innovation ecosystem development.
Click to add text

1.4 Learnings from Other Innovation Ecosystems

You will explore other innovation ecosystems and learnings from their development as
innovation ecosystems.

1.5 Case Study

This module is dedicated to reviewing an innovation ecosystem as a case study that can be
used to understand the innovation ecosystem lifecycle.

1.6 Develop a Location-Specific Innovation Ecosystem Life Cycle

In this hands-on module, you will be able to develop an innovation ecosystem life cycle for
a specific location that supports existing infrastructure and resources.

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During this module you will learn what an ecosystem is and what makes an ecosystem
stand out. This module will give you an understanding of innovation ecosystems.

Content
• Introduction to an Innovation Ecosystem
• What is an Innovation Ecosystem
• What Does an Innovation Ecosystem Include
• Critical Thinking Assignment
• Self-Reflection
• Innovation Ecosystem Development

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1.1 Introduction to an Innovation Ecosystem

This section of the module consists of:

• Online learning content in the LMS

• Streamed videos via YouTube
• An assignment that can be downloaded or completed via Google Docs
• A critical thinking assignment to be completed in the LMS

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Introduction to an Innovation Ecosystem

"An innovation ecosystem refers to a loosely interconnected network of

companies and other entities that coevolve capabilities around a shared
set of technologies, knowledge, or skills, and work cooperatively and
competitively to develop new products and services"

- James F. Moore, 1993

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE

Hear from an expert about what
makes up an innovation
ecosystem

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 What Does an Innovation Ecosystem Include?
Stakeholders and Resources

• Entrepreneurs
• Startups
• Businesses
• Innovation hubs and labs
• Government
• Banks
• Universities
Photo source: Millard, M. (2018, November 1). What Is an Innovation Ecosystem and How Are
They Essential for Startups? MassChallenge. https://masschallenge.org/article/startup-innovation-
• Policies ecosystem-explained

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 Self-Reflection
Think about your current understanding of what an innovation ecosystem is and answer the
following questions:

1. How would you define an innovation ecosystem?

2. Please list one innovation ecosystem
3. How does an innovation ecosystem help support entrepreneurs?
4. Who composes innovation ecosystems?
5. What are the benefits of having a defined innovation ecosystem?

Click here to access the module Experience Toolkit

Access the module toolkit at https://bit.ly/AfriLabs_CM1

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Innovation Ecosystem Development

The development of an innovation ecosystem

requires the development of components that
make the system work.

An analysis of the value chain should include the

innovators, financial resources, physical
resources, and the industry/market

Photo Source: Harman, S. (2016, June 30). Building an Innovation Ecosystem. Energy.Gov.
https://www.energy.gov/eere/ampedup/articles/building-innovation-ecosystem

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE 11

Every ecosystem develops over time. This module is dedicated to helping you
understand the phases that communities go through to become ecosystems.

Content
• Build, Measure, Learn
• Critical Thinking Assignment
• Innovation Ecosystem Mapping
• An Overview of Ecosystem Mapping
• An Overview of Building an Ecosystem
• Enhancing an Innovation Ecosystem
• 4 Steps in Mapping an Innovation Ecosystem

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1.2 Phases of Innovation Ecosystem Development

This section of the module consists of:

• Online learning content in the LMS

• Streamed videos via YouTube

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Remember: Phases of Innovation Ecosystem Development is Not Linear

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 Critical Thinking Assignment:
List some of the ways to develop an innovation ecosystem

- Create an Innovation Environment.

- Provide Opportunity Through
Personal Autonomy
- Build Cross-Organizational Networks
- Encourage Diversity of Thought
- Focus on Goal-Based Thinking

Source: Tandon, G. (2019, December 19). What You Can Do to Build an

Innovative Ecosystem. CMSWire. https://www.cmswire.com/digital-
workplace/what-you-can-do-to-build-an-innovative-ecosystem/

Source: Viki, T. (2016, June 16). Five Principles for Building Corporate
Innovation Ecosystems. Medium. https://medium.com/the-corporate-
startup/five-principles-for-building-corporate-innovation-ecosystems-
3b421b7d70e5

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Innovation Ecosystem Mapping

Innovation ecosystem mapping involves a deep dive

to understand the established and emerging trends.
This activity helps to uncover key stakeholders in an
ecosystem, and where value is created. It helps in
identifying gaps and developing strategies in
improving and taking advantage of opportunities
within an ecosystem

Source: Kark, K. (2019, August 21). Ecosystems Can Inspire Innovation, Lower Risk. The Wall Street Journal:
CIO Journal. https://deloitte.wsj.com/articles/ecosystems-can-inspire-innovation-lower-risk-01566435727

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE

Hear from an expert about
ecosystem mapping

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Hear from an expert about
building a location-specific
innovation ecosystems

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1. Increase locations
2. Invest in more educational
institutions
3. Increase the capacity of
partnerships
4. Increase the number of
innovation communities (i.e.,
hubs and incubators)

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4 Steps in Mapping an Innovation Ecosystem

1. Research
2. Interviews
3. Database Analysis
4. Publish Report
https://masschallenge.org/

Source: Response Innovation Lab. (2021). Somalia - Ecosystem Map.

https://www.responseinnovationlab.com/somalia-ecosystem-map

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE

Sometimes there are challenges in developing an innovation ecosystem. During this
module, you will be able to identify some of the challenges and learn about
interventions that support innovation ecosystem development.

Content
• Innovation Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Gaps and Pain Points
• Critical Thinking Assignment
• Quiz

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1.3 Challenges and Interventions in the Development of an Innovation Ecosystem

This section of the module consists of:

• Online learning content in the LMS

• An assignment that can be downloaded or completed via Google Docs
• A quiz that can be completed in the LMS

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 Innovation Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa
“In many African countries, innovation ecosystems are nascent, with innovators
limited by fundamental challenges in financing (e.g., for research and development);
governance and regulatory structures (e.g., intellectual property, digitization, standards); and
access to inputs, business support, mentorship, skills, and infrastructure (e.g., manufacturing
1
and prototyping) . Not surprising, Africa lags drastically behind the rest of the world in global
research and development investments. African countries account for just 0.9%, compared to
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Asia (44%), North America (27%) and Europe (21%) . And South Africa alone contributed
0.88%—nearly all of Africa’s share.
Despite these challenges, African economies have seen a rise in the development of
innovative startups and an increase in tech hubs in the past few years3. A 2019 report by the
Afrilabs Network and BriterBridges identified at least 643 hubs, a 104% increase from the 314
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hubs identified in 2016 . Countries including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Rwanda,
Tunisia, Morocco and Ghana, among others, are seeking to develop pipelines of innovative
companies with support of new legislation like Startup Acts, digital innovation policies and
programs, and capital from private investors and international development partners.”
Source: Yawson, F. (2021). Challenges and Opportunities in the Innovation Ecosystem. African Center for Economic Transformation.
https://acetforafrica.org/acet/wp-content/uploads/publications/2021/03/ACET-ODI-%E2%80%93-Challenges-and-Opportunities-in-the-
Innovation-Ecosystem.pdf

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 Gaps and Pain Points
A gap is a missing element in an
innovation ecosystem. For example,
removing a critical infrastructure that is
available.
A pain point is an area that causes
limitations or a challenge for
stakeholders in an innovation ecosystem.
For example, if human capital is a pain
point, then it is difficult for the ecosystem
to scale.
When these exist, it is difficult for the
innovation ecosystem to achieve its
location-specific purpose.
Photo source: Hoffecker, E., & Rubenstein, M. W. (2019, June). Understanding Innovation Ecosystems: A Framework for Joint Analysis and Action. Massachusetts Institute
of Technology D-Lab. https://d-lab.mit.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Understanding_Innovation_Ecosystems_FINAL_JULY2019.pdf
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 Critical Thinking Assignment

Answer the following questions

1. What happens when gaps and pain points are addressed in an innovation
ecosystem?
2. What are the gaps and pain points in your innovation ecosystem?
a. Identify which area of the innovation ecosystem is affected by the gaps and pain
points you listed.

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You will explore other innovation ecosystems and learnings from their development
as innovation ecosystems.

Content
• Explore Other Innovation Ecosystems

Total points (10%)

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

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1.4 Learnings from Other Innovation Ecosystems

This section of the module consists of:

• Reading assignments from online sources

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There are innovation ecosystems in different locations that are developed based on the
attributes of the location. Here are some examples:

• Israel Agriculture technology – innovations in agricultural methods and technology

• Nairobi, Kenya Social technology – innovations in social impact
• Nigeria FinTech – innovations in finance and payment systems

Optional: Review a five-country comparative analysis

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This module is dedicated to reviewing an innovation ecosystem as a case study that
can be used to understand the innovation ecosystem lifecycle.

Content
• Reading: Innovation Ecosystem Development

Total points (10%)

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

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1.5 Case Study

This section of the module consists of:

• Reading assignments from online sources

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 Innovation Ecosystem Development
Case Studies

The links below contain case studies of work conducted in various cities to develop
location-specific innovation ecosystems. Each case study was developed from activities
that included multiple types of stakeholders and focused on their specific location.

1. Laayoune Works to Build Connections

2. Kampala Discovers Identity and Collaboration

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In this hands-on module, you will be able to develop an innovation ecosystem life
cycle for a specific location that supports existing infrastructure and resources.

Content
• Exercise: Innovation Ecosystem
• Part I: Draft Your Innovation Ecosystem
• Part II: Identify Innovation Hub Contributions
• Part III: Consider Improvements

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1.6 Develop a Location-Specific Innovation Ecosystem Lifecycle

This section of the module consists of:

• An assignment that can be completed online

• An assignment that can be downloaded or completed via Google Docs

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 Exercise: Innovation Ecosystem
Part I: Draft Your Innovation Ecosystem

Click the text below

for files

Access PDF Here

Access JPG Here

Source: Strategy Tools. (n.d.). Strategy Tools -

Ecosystem Canvas.
https://www.strategytools.io/strategy-
tools/ecosystem-canvas/

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE 34

 Exercise: Innovation Ecosystem
Part 2: Identify Innovation Hub Contributions

Critical Thinking Assignment

Consider how innovation hubs contribute to each area of your innovation ecosystem. In
your Experience Log, write your answer.

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 Exercise: Innovation Ecosystem
Part 3: Consider Improvements

Explain how your innovation ecosystem can

improve in the following areas:
1. Enabling environment
2. Resources

Photo source: Hoffecker, E., & Rubenstein, M. W. (2019, June). Understanding Innovation Ecosystems: A Framework for Joint Analysis and Action. Massachusetts Institute of
Technology D-Lab. https://d-lab.mit.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Understanding_Innovation_Ecosystems_FINAL_JULY2019.pdf

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Your Grade in the Module

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Module Summary & Next Steps
• An innovation ecosystem’s lifecycle and development should be considered in tandem to
ensure all stakeholders and resources are included and leveraged.
• Innovation requires vested stakeholders working together.
• Every ecosystem is unique but what they have in common is the need to support
entrepreneurs.
• Mapping is a strategy of gaining an understanding of the ecosystem.

NEXT STEPS
You can use your final assignment to support your local ecosystem’s development and identify
a community of other ecosystem developers to build your skills and knowledge.

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• An innovation ecosystem’s lifecycle and development should be considered in
tandem to ensure all stakeholders and resources are included and leveraged.
• Innovation requires vested stakeholders working together.
• Every ecosystem is unique but what they have in common is the need to support
entrepreneurs.
• Mapping is a strategy of gaining an understanding of the ecosystem.

You can use your final assignment to support your local ecosystem’s development
and identify a community of other ecosystem developers to build your skills and
knowledge.

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM LIFECYCLE 39

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