A tech ecosystem with an abstraction layer for manufacturing and prototyping can drive an explosion of innovation.
Current examples of such ecosystems include:
- Boston and biotech (Kendall Square)
- Shenzhen’s high tech manufacturing ecosystem
- Korea’s cosmetics (“K-beauty”) ecosystem
These ecosystems typically begin when a city develops a high concentration of companies within a particular industry. As the ecosystem expands, the demand for abstraction-layer services, such as manufacturing and prototyping, grows. This, in turn, attracts more talent (including those who have ideas but not manufacturing chops), solidifying the city’s status as the leading hub for that industry.
Hopefully, we’ll see more of these ecosystems emerge, especially in fields tackling humanity’s hardest challenges — like deep tech. Cities should also consider what kind of abstraction-layer ecosystem they can foster. Even in this digital world, physical density and proximity still play a crucial role in forming innovation ecosystems.