ABSTRACT
The region is undergoing a fundamental transformation from a geographical, political, and cultural entity to a triple helix of fi rms, universities, and government agencies that generate new initiatives for regional innovation. The conditions for high-tech economic growth are not spontaneous creations; they can be identifi ed and put in place by explicit measures.1 The process of change may appear strange: it is neither solely market-nor policy-driven. In the initiation phase, science-based development typically arises from universities and other research institutions, acting together with either businesses or governments, or with both, around a specifi c focus. As the process takes off, new topics may be added to provide a broader base for regional development.
