Support of startup innovation towards development of new industries

Many regions have been dominated by industry in the past. Due to the changes driven by digital transformation, former industry-driven regions need new ideas, products and services in order to keep the local economy stable or even to expand it. Addressing both economic and societal challenges can be supported by strengthening local innovation. Startups are important engines for innovation. But they only can grow if embedded in a perfect functioning startup ecosystems. This study aims at demonstrating how local startup-support programs can help increase innovation in former industry-driven regions and how new economies can emerge out of it.