Edinburgh Napier University

  What are the ecosystems and partnerships required to enable data-driven innovation to be taken up in the creative industries? This chapter discusses how ecosystems enable different forms of innovation through partnership networks in the creative industries. Case studies from Edinburgh and the southeast Scotland region, and Wales, demonstrate how online and in-person ecosystems can be enabled and how strategic partnerships can support innovation in the creative industries. The chapter analyses what impact small industry–focused research and development grants can have on ecosystems and what barriers are observed. It reflects on the effect of strategic decision and policymaking in relation to grassroots development and conversely how emerging R&D can inform policy.