Reflecting on the success of the XIX Triple Helix Conference, the THA Chapters show-cased their progress during one of the conference’s sessions. This panel for the chapters highlighted how the Triple Helix model has been routed in different regional contexts by the Triple Helix Association Chapters in order to foster regional development, boost their innovation ecosystem, drive new topics and win new members. More specifically the following chapters were represented: Greece, Russia, Brazi, SATHA, Germany, Romania and Kazakhstan.
The panel moderated by Dr Christiane Gebhardt covered core questions that drove the discussion such as: Was the triple helix constellation a good model for building the chapters? How did you implement the model? How does your chapter correspond to the innovation ecosystem in your region /country/city? Are you visible? Interconnected? International? Are you a political advisor and give inputs in innovation and science policy? How embedded is the chapter in the local (Entrepreneurial) University? Did you attract new THA members? How? What do you think are the most important topics and current trends? What about young researcher and students? How do you integrate them in the development?
The results of the discussion converged into the following conclusions: the triple helix model is a good approach as long as it is fully localized for the topical culture; the triple helix model operationalization requires considerable policy and industrial support in order to be operationalized; the chapters are visible in their ecosystems and cover a wide range of representative actors from their regions. Attracting members is a challenge and to overcome this, a proven-value model is usually adopted. On top of this, funding as core enabler of implementing triple helix-led projects is a must and chapters must work together to engage in transnational projects that can contribute to their self-development. Ultimately, investing in researchers and young talents is critical to ensure the self-sustaining innovation development mechanisms for each chapter.