107Building Local Innovation Support Systems: Theory and Practice

The very concept of innovation connotes complexity and dynamism. Innovation is by definition something new, not a previously existing artifact. The process of starting a business with the aim of producing an innovation is indeed an elusive phenomenon. And public innovation policies with an aim of intervening in order to enhance this innovative startup process are indeed elusive as well.

Every innovative business concept and every entrepreneurial startup process has its own specific qualities, every regional and local development environment has its own unique conditions, and every incubator has its own strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, a program theory framework of the kind suggested above could be seen as a road map for policymakers in the process of developing specific innovation policy measures—in local and regional contexts—that addresses all these aspects of innovative developments simultaneously. In some “thin” regional markets in northern Sweden, direct support may be of greater importance than in other more “thick markets” elsewhere (see Amezcua et al., 2013). Creative arenas or meeting places are always an important intervention, not least as a way to change attitudes toward starting businesses. In some economic ecosystems, there could be a lack of business role models and difficulties finding experienced board members. Here, sounding board coaching may be especially important. All kinds of activities are also involved in the crucial information and nudging task: The aim of fostering increased interest and ability to pursue the utilization of ideas.