Rural innovation ecosystems: thriving through diverse collaboration

Innovation within a place-based ecosystem has come very much from urban settings. Within this milieu, the value of a network of businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, research organizations and government bodies has been well studied as a vehicle to facilitate economic development. In this chapter, we reflect on how useful the concept is within rural contexts, whether there are innate differences and what are they. The importance and role of anchor institutions are discussed, reviewing both positive and negative aspects. We reflect on diversity, of organizations and of individuals, and how this affects collaboration, vibrancy and values.