Innovation and creativity labs in Berlin

Abstract

We define innovation and creativity labs as physical spaces for testing innovative ideas, alternative business models, new economic practices or flexible cooperation structures. As such, they are fields of experimentation and crystallization points for temporary practices that generate product, process, and organizational innovations. In these places, processes of interdisciplinary collaboration, and open innovation embrace and combine knowledge from multiple fields of expertise, most prominently from the creative and technology intensive sectors. This paper discusses the results of a research project that compiled an inventory of the dynamic spatial and organization development of innovation and creativity labs in Berlin. The empirical evidence highlights the variety of temporary spatial configurations ranging from grassroots labs, different forms of coworking, design and research and development (R & D)-oriented studios, to incubation and acceleration models. This diversity epitomizes distinct temporary social settings in an economic environment characterized by diverse modes of democratization, flexibility, commercialization and decentralization of innovation processes.