How can science park & city form an innovation ecosystem together? Louvain-la-Neuve success story

The creation of Louvain-la-Neuve Science Park (Belgium - 1971) is based on a lifelong relationship between city, university and science park. Over the years, the existing dynamics gave birth to an innovative and integrated ecosystem led from within the Catholic University of Louvains third mission (society service) : Louvain Innovation Network. This new structure federates local actors involved in entrepreneurship and innovation, addressing the entire innovation chain from fundamental academic research to stimulating, financing and supporting technological projects through spin-off creation and providing the accurate facilities to welcome each sort of company. Today, as innovation is put higher up in politicians agendas, LLN has become a regional knowledge driver for economic development, a smart city with a vibrant center. Key success factors in this achievement can be resumed in one sentence: LLNs approach to innovation dismantles all barriers between technology actors in a quality environment where we cultivate interaction, cooperation and entrepreneurship.