@article {937, title = {Orchestrators of Innovation-Driven Regional Development: Experiences from the INNOFOKUS Project and Change2020 Programme}, journal = {Technology Innovation Management Review}, volume = {5}, year = {2015}, month = {10/2015}, pages = {52-62}, publisher = {Talent First Network}, address = {Ottawa}, abstract = {The article takes a practical view of regional innovation ecosystems and presents ways to advance more efficient uses of public funding instruments by regional developers. Documenting the views of Finnish regional developers into two workbooks and a toolbox, the results of the INNOFOKUS project and its Change2020 development programme identified that promoting a high-impact project culture and smart specialization in Finland requires a continuous learning and participation process. Key individuals who can make this happen are innovation orchestrators who facilitate activities and compose the big picture. This article aims to bring forth an overview of the building blocks of an enriching and energizing environment and high-impact projects, and it presents an overview of how to enable the work of innovation orchestrators, who play a critical role in facilitating innovation ecosystems.}, keywords = {agile project development, experimentation-driven development, high-impact projects, orchestrator, regional development, regional innovation ecosystem, smart specialisation, smart specialization}, issn = {1927-0321}, doi = {http://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/937}, url = {http://timreview.ca/article/937}, author = {Mervi Rajahonka and Toni Pienonen and Riikka Kuusisto and Jari Handelberg} }