Print Interviews

Email interviews, or answers to journalists questions can be done by emailling media@2thinknow.com. Please include your publication, position and deadline.

Embargoed Releases

Contact media@2thinknow.com to pre-register for embargoed releases on future indexes.

Tv & Radio Interviews

Will be available for the 2012 Index in September, or related pre-Index coverage with our Executive Director, Christopher Hire. To schedule an interview — please email media@2thinknow.com

Excel Files

Excel files of rankings are available to journalists, for global indexes also for regions (Americas, Europe, Emerging and Asia). Email media@2thinknow.com

Background: Innovation Cities™ Index

2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Index is the world’s largest classification of cities for Innovation, first released 2007, and left beta in 2010, the current year is 2011, with the next Index due end of September 2012.

The first city rankings from 2thinknow commenced in April 2007.

Photos for reproduction

Please credit these to 2thinknow.

How the Index works:

The 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Index is the leading index of innovation in cities scores all major cities on Innovation.

More critical than livability in economic hard times, innovation is measured to predict which cities will become winners in the next several years. To do this the Index analysts examine 162 indicators and which is trend-weighted, and distilled to a final 3 stage score. The Innovation Cities Index uses detailed analysis to look at forward real-world indicators rather than some rear view economics or statistics (often outdated).

2thinknow’s final 3 stage index score for each city reflects a view of innovation – the ability to generate Ideas, Implement and access to Markets in which to sell those ideas.

Since 2007, independent innovation analysts 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities™ Index.

As a journalist, email media@2thinknow.com or contact 2thinknow here with your enquiries.

Index Methodology

The full methodology of the Innovation Cities™ Framework and Index is published in the semi-annual Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report, for order. Methodology details are available to journalists upon email request, and each year since leaving beta, the Index has a specific FAQ & methodology online.

All city benchmarking data behind the Innovation Cities™ Index can be ordered for any cities from 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data

General Company Resources.

2thinknow is an innovation agency, established 2006, offering a variety of affordable creative services to stimulate urban innovation.

• 2thinknow company Background
• Executive Director – of the research, Christopher Hire
• Flickr Images – Christopher Hire

Other: Press Release Archive:

2011 – 2007 Major Index Releases

> See 2thinknow media room for major releases

Earlier 2009 Wire Release Resources

> 27th October 2009 – “Toronto Beats Vancouver, Canadian Cities Lag Europe in Innovation” – Canadian Newswire, Toronto

> 26th October 2009 – “Boston #1 in Global Innovation Race, as U.S. Cities Trail Europe and Asia” – Reuters

> 27th October 2009 – “Asia-Pacific Cities Beat China, Gain on U.S. in Global Innovation Race” – Asia News Media Release

> 26th October 2009 – “ASIA GAINING INNOVATION ADVANTAGE OVER U.S. CITIES” – AAP Medianet Media Release — Australia /NZ

Other Languages:
> 27th October 2009 – “Les villes françaises championnes de l’innovation ; l’Europe en tête de la course à l’innovation” – PR Newswire, UK
> 27th October 2009 – “Europäische Städte vor USA im Wettlauf um Innovation” – Pressportal.de [Deutsch]

Top 100 world cities for an innovation economy in 2011.

The world’s largest city classification and ranking with 331 benchmark cities classified, and top 125 cities ranked in 2011, of which the top 100 are listed below. Based on 2thinknow analysis of cities in what our analysts term the ‘global innovation economy’. Annual since 2007.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View current Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Key to index.

All cities are graded into award categories based on their index score. In descending order of importance to the innovation economy:

NEXUS: Critical nexus for multiple economic and social innovation segments

HUB: Dominance or influence on key economic and social innovation segments , based on global trends

NODE: Broad performance across many innovation segments, with key imbalances

INFLUENCER: Competitive in some segments, potential or imbalanced

UPSTART: Potential steps towards relative future performance in a few innovation segments

Regions are defined as follows:

AMERICAS: North and South America

EUROPE: The U.N. defined Europe with European union, Western Russia, Israel and major Turkish cities

ASIA: Asia and Oceania (Australia/NZ)

EMERGING: Mid-East, Africa, Turkey and Caucasus states

Full details

Purchase City Benchmarking Data to measure a single city or compare cities.

Read the analyst city report to understand how to build urban innovation economies.

Or place an annual subscription for an affordable full package of analysis.

Methodology in brief:

The Index is the most comprehensive city ranking and scoring. Each city was selected from 1,540 cities based on basic factors of health, wealth, population, geography. The selected 331 cities had data extracted the city benchmarking data program on 162 indicators. Each of the benchmarking data were scored by analysts using best available qualitative analysis and quantitative statistics (see City Benchmarking Data to purchase city data). Where data was unavailable, national or state estimates were used.

Data was then trend balanced against 21 global trends, by analysts.For the final index had a zeitgeist (analyst confidence) factor added, and score reduced to a 3 factor score for Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. For city Classification, these scores were competitively graded into 5 bands (Nexus, Hub, Node, Influencer, Upstart)

The top 33% of Nexus and Hub ( and selected Node cities of future interest)  final graded scores were ranked by analysts based on trends over 2-5 years. From this global Index, 4 regional indexes for Americas, Europe, Asia and Emerging are also produced.

Please note the full list above is classified (Node, Influencer, Upstart) not ranked except wher a rank is noted. Rankings are just for general information. A node ranking is considered globally competitive. More discussion and questions answered in this FAQ.

For more details on methodology, please see the FAQ or order the Innovation Cities Analysis Report.

Reproduction of this list:

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. The easy correct way to do this is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

About 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program:

Based in Melbourne Australia, 2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. Established 2006 we have  designed original  models to measure and deliver innovation to cities, business seeking new markets and growth, and NGO/government clients.

2thinknow Innovation Cities Program to provide powerful tools for creating an innovation economy. This includes the city benchmarking data details on cities by segment globally, recently launched local innovation forum events, analyst reports such as the flagship Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report

In 2011, in the Innovation Course, we are teaching our clients new innovation methods and practices. 2thinknow work with other clients through innovation consulting, analyst reports, projects  and innovation services, as well as a number of online resources and groups.

Since 2009, 2thinknow as world’s first innovation agency have classified cities for broad-based innovation. 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities Indexes city rankings free online since 2007, when they started with a very small 22 cities.

This is now 331 cities in the 2011 year, and is the world’s largest and most diverse city ranking.

Contact 2thinknow here: http://www.2thinknow.com/feedback/ or via twitter @2thinknow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

“Which cities are innovation economy winners? 2thinknow Annual Innovation Cities Index released today.”

RELEASED MONDAY 6:01 PM EDT (New York) / TUESDAY 12:01 AM CET (Paris) / TUESDAY 9:01 AM AEST (Melbourne)

2THINKNOW // MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Boston came first again in a field of 331 cities in the Innovation Cities Global Index. This year’s top cities were rounded out by San Francisco Bay Area, Paris, New York and Vienna, as the 5th annual index was released today by analysts from innovation agency 2thinknow. 2thinknow is based in Melbourne, Australia.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data identified innovation as the key driver of economic recovery from previous recessions and downturns for nations, and 2thinknow’s annual index extends this to cities.

According to 2thinknow Executive Director, Christopher Hire, “2thinknow identify key city innovation in amidst moribund national economies. 2thinknow analysts specialise in city-level data measuring city-centric economic activity. Our Innovation Cities Framework model assumes specific cities will perform out of pattern with nations, as nations enter or exit economic malaise, or multi-speed economies.”

Benchmarked cities are scored and classified by 2thinknow annually based on their ability to generate product, process, service and other innovation types across an urban economy.

“City innovation turns into economic good news in 2 to 5 years for many industries.”

The analysts first named Boston as the second-top global innovation destination in 2007. In 2011, the analysts stated that Boston’s dominant institutions Harvard and MIT, business, and strengthening start-up and arts network kept the city number one overall globally. In Canada, Nexus city Toronto moved up two places to 10th globally. Montreal joined Seattle and Los Angeles as North American Nexus cities for the first time.

In Asia, Hong Kong climbed to 15th globally and first Nexus in Asia, ahead of Australia’s city economies represented by Melbourne and Sydney, at 17th and 20th respectively. A weakened Tokyo moved temporarily down to 22nd place ahead of a steady Shanghai (24) among a record 24% Asian Nexus cities, also including Seoul. China’s economic performance to date was reflected by more Chinese cities than ever in the global Index, and the entry of cities like Wuhan and Chengdu for the first time.

In 2011 the Index foresees stronger U.S. innovation performance over 2 to 5 years, based on mid-size city businesses seeking innovation opportunities in global cities. 2thinknow noted that across the USA, most major U.S. cities were likely to be globally competitive Node or above, by meeting mid-level benchmarks for innovation. The analysts identified Human Infrastructure and Cultural Asset investment as key to stronger U.S. innovation performance.

European cities continued to place well, often indicating a separation between city and national performance. Germany’s Munich continued climbing up to 7th place from 15th. Amid struggling UK cities London improved to 11th from 14th, as Manchester (32nd) rose to Nexus status for the first time.

Most Barcelona (19), Milan (16), Madrid (52) and Torino (80) ranked counter to poor national trends for Italian and Spanish cities. Other top tier European Nexus cities listed included Amsterdam (6), Lyon (8), Copenhagen (9), Frankfurt (12), Hamburg (13) and Berlin (14).

According to 2thinknow, Executive Director, Christopher Hire, the “Innovation Cities Global Index measures cities as innovation economies. This goes beyond technology or patents alone. 2thinknow analysts also collect data on assess transport, universities, arts, design, sustainability, economics, start-up facilities, labor as well as other factors to measure the opportunities cities offer their citizens. We aim to measure cities economic opportunity not nations.”

The top 10% of 331 cities were classified as Nexus cities by the analysts. Nexus cities were the analysts best general destinations for innovation, followed by the next 73 Hub cities named as challengers in many sectors of the city economy.

Global Hub cities rising in the analyst rankings this year included Bordeaux, Vancouver, Budapest, Tel Aviv, Orlando and Shenzhen. Well-known cities the analysts discounted significantly this year included St Petersburg, Moscow and Buenos Aires (replaced in South America by São Paulo). Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod technology city and Rostov-na-Donu entered the Index for the first time, as Mumbai became India’s first Hub city. Cape Town this year became the first African Hub city. Adelaide in Australia also became an Asian Hub based on new investment activity.

The balance of cities were classified as Node cities or in two lower performance bands. According to the analyst’s classification, Node cities are globally competitive for innovation. The lower two bands of Upstart and Influencer were names as strong classifications for developing cities.

In 2011 there were 331 cities benchmarked for innovation, up from 289 cities in 2010 and compared with 256 cities in 2009. The top 125 cities were ranked by the analysts based on 21 current global trends, listed in the accompanying Innovation Cities Analysis report. The indicators framework, models and global analysis of trend impact were also outlined in the report. 2thinknow launched the index in 2007 and expanded the index in 2009 to 289 cities.

Each year, the global index and top rankings are released with four regional indexes, that classify and rank the top cities for North & South America, Europe, Asia and Emerging regions. In 2007 the analysts predicted the Global Financial Crisis as a “September (2008) shock event”, and Indexes predicted London’s fall and foresaw counter-cyclical strong performance of German and French cities overall.

Cities move in the Index rankings over 2 or 3 year periods. According to the analysts innovation potential realised in 2011 translates into economic benefits in 2013 to 2016, and social benefits after this period.

The analysts noted that city performance can be faster to turn around than overall national performance.

— ENDS—

SPOKESPERSON

Christopher Hire
Executive Director
2thinknow ICP

+61 409 787 960 (Mobile)
+61 3 9935 2927

TIME: Melbourne, Australia (AEST)

Rapid email: media@2thinknow.com

About 2thinknow.

2thinknow is the world’s first innovation agency established in Melbourne in 2006. The Innovation Cities Program by 2thinknow commenced in 2007 from 2005 research. 2thinknow develops innovative data collection and analysis techniques based on sector innovation by city location.

2thinknow delivers City Benchmarking Data, analyst reports, the Innovation Course and other innovation services to city, business and government clients. See http://www.2thinknow.com

INDEXES TEXT LINKS

AMERICAS: http://www.innovation-cities.com/2011-Innovation-Cities-Index-City-Rankings-USA-Canada-South-America/

EUROPE: http://www.innovation-cities.com/2011-Innovation-Cities-Index-City-Rankings-EU-Germany-France-UK-Spain-Europe/

ASIA: http://www.innovation-cities.com/2011-Innovation-Cities-Index-City-Rankings-Asia-Australia-China-NZ-Korea-Japan/

EMERGING: http://www.innovation-cities.com/2011-Innovation-Cities-Index-City-Rankings-Mid-East-UAE-Africa-Emerging/

GLOBAL: http://www.innovation-cities.com/2011-Innovation-Cities-Index-World-City-Rankings/

CITY RESOURCES:

Report: http://report.innovation-cities.com

Data: http://www.citybenchmarkingdata.com

Notes for Editors

Updated index

2thinknow’s city benchmarking data set contains 1,540 cities. In 2011, the number of cities appearing in the yearly published scores and rankings was 331, up from 289 cities in 2010. The new inclusions reflected previously omitted destinations in the Emerging, Asian and Americas regions. There is a base level of development, population and services required to appear in the Index.

The Innovation Cities™ Index purpose is to measure the development of innovation economies globally. The index measures the 3 factor preconditions for innovation — Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets.

To make it easy to read the indexes 2thinknow publish a global top 100, global full, and 4 regional indexes: Americas, Asia, Europe and Emerging. 2thinknow also will publish again this year national innovation economy statistics based on how many cities are represented and their relative influence on the innovation economy at a national and regional level. These are only in beta stage, as we will need to add more information regarding excluded cities for a comprehensive national picture.

Quick facts about the Index.

• The worldwide rankings are produced annually by analysts at innovation consulting analysts, 2thinknow.
• The index is not a survey, but is independently researched by 2thinknow analysts.
• The index was first produced in 2007 with 22 cities from 95 profiled.
• City benchmarking data, contains all global cities benchmarked on 162 city indicators.
• Data is updated between April and September, with more than 50% of indicators being refreshed in this period.
• Explanation of the 162 city indicators, and how cities can become innovation economies are contained in the Innovation Cities Analysis Report, from 2thinknow. http://report.innovation-cities.com
• All cities scores are weighted against 21 current change trends (detailed and available in the report).

Reproducing the Index

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. Print journalists can attribute in the standard fashion, or the other easy way to do this online is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

City Benchmarking Data.

City benchmarking data can be used to create your own indexes or rankings. This can ordered by contacting 2thinknow for single city data-sets, or comparisons between any cities on 1 segment or all segments of the economy. There are 31 industry and community segments.

Further information is available from 2thinknow ICP Team, by contacting us here or calling Melbourne +61 3 9935 2927. Or, you can visit the City Benchmarking Data site here for full details.

City ranking Tables / Lists for reproduction.

Links to the cities indexes & national statistics

INDEXES >  TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

Source: 2THINKNOW
Attribute to: “INNOVATION CITIES INDEX(ES) 2011”
URL: www.innovation-cities.com

Innovation Cities™ Top 100 Index (Top 33 Nexus cities listed).

Nexus cites are the top 10% of cities worldwide listed in the annual index for 2011.

GLOBAL      CITY                    STATE COUNTRY     REGION    CLASSIFIED   BAND SCORE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1     Boston                  MA    United States     AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     29
2     San Francisco Bay Area  CA    United States     AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     29
3     Paris                         France            EUROPE      1 NEXUS     29
4     New York                NY    United States     AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     29
5     Vienna                        Austria           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     28
6     Amsterdam                     Netherlands       EUROPE      1 NEXUS     28
7     Munich                        Germany           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     28
8     Lyon                          France            EUROPE      1 NEXUS     27
9     Copenhagen                    Denmark           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     27
10    Toronto                       Canada            AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     27
11    London                        United Kingdom    EUROPE      1 NEXUS     27
12    Frankfurt                     Germany           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     27
13    Hamburg                       Germany           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     27
14    Berlin                        Germany           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     26
15    Hong Kong                     Hong Kong         ASIA        1 NEXUS     26
16    Milan                         Italy             EUROPE      1 NEXUS     26
17    Melbourne               VIC   Australia         ASIA        1 NEXUS     26
18    Stuttgart                     Germany           EUROPE      1 NEXUS     26
19    Barcelona                     Spain             EUROPE      1 NEXUS     25
20    Sydney                  NSW   Australia         ASIA        1 NEXUS     25
21    Stockholm                     Sweden            EUROPE      1 NEXUS     25
22    Tokyo                         Japan             ASIA        1 NEXUS     25
23    Rome                          Italy             EUROPE      1 NEXUS     25
24    Shanghai                      Shanghai          China ASIA  1 NEXUS     25
25    Seattle                 WA    United States     AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     25
26    Singapore                     Singapore         ASIA        1 NEXUS     25
27    Strasbourg                    France            EUROPE      1 NEXUS     25
28    Seoul                         Korea, South      ASIA        1 NEXUS     25
29    Los Angeles             CA    United States     AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     25
30    Kyoto                         Japan             ASIA        1 NEXUS     25
31    Montréal                      Canada            AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     25
32    Manchester                    United Kingdom    EUROPE      1 NEXUS     25
33    Philadelphia            PA    United States     AMERICAS    1 NEXUS     25

Innovation Cities™ Index: Top 33 Nexus cities 3 factor

These are 3 factor scores for the top 33 Nexus cities.

3 Factors:

You should know (Disclaimer)

The Innovation Cities Indexes (the “Indexes”) are for information purposes only and are intended for as a general purpose ranking measuring the relative importance of cities to the innovation economy. Practise in this area is continually changing and emerging, so the methodologies and processes change from year to year, and the availability of data changes from city to city.

While the Indexes have been prepared based upon the best available information, they are provided on an “as-is” basis, and 2thinknow accepts no responsibility/liability for the validity/accuracy (or otherwise) of the resources/data used to compile the Indexes. In no event will 2thinknow be liable to for any decision made or action taken in reliance of the results obtained through the use of, or the information and/or data contained in or provided by, the Indexes.

2thinknow and its representatives make no representations or warranties with respect to the Indexes, and disclaim all express, implied and statutory warranties of any kind, including, but not limited to, representations and implied warranties of quality, accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.

Note: Those seeking more detailed data of comparative city performance should purchase City Benchmarking Data from 2thinknow, and create indexes tailored to their specific circumstances.

World’s largest city classification and global ranking with 331 benchmark cities classified, and top 125 cities analyst ranked in 2011. Based on 2thinknow analysis of cities on 162 city indicators from 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data program. Since 2007.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View current Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Key to index.

All cities are graded into award categories based on their band score. In descending order of importance to the innovation economy:

NEXUS: Critical nexus for multiple economic and social innovation segments

HUB: Dominance or influence on key economic and social innovation segments , based on global rends

NODE: Broad performance across many innovation segments, with key imbalances

INFLUENCER: Competitive in some segments, potential or imbalanced

UPSTART: Potential steps towards relative future performance in a few innovation segments

Regions are defined as follows:

AMERICAS: North and South America

EUROPE: The U.N. defined Europe with European union, Western Russia, Israel and major Turkish cities

ASIA: Asia and Oceania (Australia/NZ)

EMERGING: Mid-East, Africa, Turkey and Caucasus states

Full details

Purchase City Benchmarking Data to measure a single city or compare cities.

Read the analyst city report to understand how to build urban innovation economies.

Or place an annual subscription for an affordable full package of analysis.

Methodology in brief:

The Index is the most comprehensive city ranking and scoring. Each city was selected from 1,540 cities based on basic factors of health, wealth, population, geography. The selected 331 cities had data extracted the city benchmarking data program on 162 indicators. Each of the benchmarking data were scored by analysts using best available qualitative analysis and quantitative statistics (see City Benchmarking Data to purchase city data). Where data was unavailable, national or state estimates were used.

Data was then trend balanced against 21 global trends, by analysts.For the final index had a zeitgeist (analyst confidence) factor added, and score reduced to a 3 factor score for Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. For city Classification, these scores were competitively graded into 5 bands (Nexus, Hub, Node, Influencer, Upstart)

The top 33% of Nexus and Hub ( and selected Node cities of future interest)  final graded scores were ranked by analysts based on trends over 2-5 years. From this global Index, 4 regional indexes for Americas, Europe, Asia and Emerging are also produced.

Please note the full list above is classified (Node, Influencer, Upstart) not ranked except wher a rank is noted. Rankings are just for general information. A node ranking is considered globally competitive. More discussion and questions answered in this FAQ.

For more details on methodology, please see the FAQ or order the Innovation Cities Analysis Report.

Reproduction of this list:

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. The easy correct way to do this is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

About 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program:

Based in Melbourne Australia, 2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. Established 2006 we have  designed original  models to measure and deliver innovation to cities, business seeking new markets and growth, and NGO/government clients.

2thinknow Innovation Cities Program to provide powerful tools for creating an innovation economy. This includes the city benchmarking data details on cities by segment globally, recently launched local innovation forum events, analyst reports such as the flagship Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report

In 2011, in the Innovation Course, we are teaching our clients new innovation methods and practices. 2thinknow work with other clients through innovation consulting, analyst reports, projects  and innovation services, as well as a number of online resources and groups.

Since 2009, 2thinknow as world’s first innovation agency have classified cities for broad-based innovation. 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities Indexes city rankings free online since 2007, when they started with a very small 22 cities.

This is now 331 cities in the 2011 year, and is the world’s largest and most diverse city ranking.

Contact 2thinknow here: http://www.2thinknow.com/feedback/ or via twitter @2thinknow

Asian city innovation classifications and rankings 2011 for China,

World’s largest city classification and global ranking with 66 Asian cities from 331 benchmark cities classified, and top cities ranked in 2011. Based on 2thinknow analysis of cities on 162 city indicators, in what our analysts term the ‘global innovation economy’. Annual city scores and ranking since 2007. City indicators data from 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data program.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View current Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Key to index.

All cities are graded into award categories based on their index score. In descending order of importance to the innovation economy:

NEXUS: Critical nexus for multiple economic and social innovation segments

HUB: Dominance or influence on key economic and social innovation segments , based on global trends

NODE: Broad performance across many innovation segments, with key imbalances

INFLUENCER: Competitive in some segments, potential or imbalanced

UPSTART: Potential steps towards relative future performance in a few innovation segments

Regions are defined as follows:

AMERICAS: North and South America

EUROPE: The U.N. defined Europe with European union, Western Russia, Israel and major Turkish cities

ASIA: Asia and Oceania (Australia/NZ)

EMERGING: Mid-East, Africa, Turkey and Caucasus states

Full details

Purchase City Benchmarking Data to measure a single city or compare cities.

Read the analyst city report to understand how to build urban innovation economies.

Or place an annual subscription for an affordable full package of analysis.

Methodology in brief:

The Index is the most comprehensive city ranking and scoring. Each city was selected from 1,540 cities based on basic factors of health, wealth, population, geography. The selected 331 cities had data extracted the city benchmarking data program on 162 indicators. Each of the benchmarking data were scored by analysts using best available qualitative analysis and quantitative statistics (see City Benchmarking Data to purchase city data). Where data was unavailable, national or state estimates were used.

Data was then trend balanced against 21 global trends, by analysts.For the final index had a zeitgeist (analyst confidence) factor added, and score reduced to a 3 factor score for Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. For city Classification, these scores were competitively graded into 5 bands (Nexus, Hub, Node, Influencer, Upstart)

The top 33% of Nexus and Hub ( and selected Node cities of future interest)  final graded scores were ranked by analysts based on trends over 2-5 years. From this global Index, 4 regional indexes for Americas, Europe, Asia and Emerging are also produced.

Please note the full list above is classified (Node, Influencer, Upstart) not ranked except wher a rank is noted. Rankings are just for general information. A node ranking is considered globally competitive. More discussion and questions answered in this FAQ.

For more details on methodology, please see the FAQ or order the Innovation Cities Analysis Report.

Reproduction of this list:

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. The easy correct way to do this is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

About 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program:

Based in Melbourne Australia, 2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. Established 2006 we have  designed original  models to measure and deliver innovation to cities, business seeking new markets and growth, and NGO/government clients.

2thinknow Innovation Cities Program to provide powerful tools for creating an innovation economy. This includes the city benchmarking data details on cities by segment globally, recently launched local innovation forum events, analyst reports such as the flagship Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report

In 2011, in the Innovation Course, we are teaching our clients new innovation methods and practices. 2thinknow work with other clients through innovation consulting, analyst reports, projects  and innovation services, as well as a number of online resources and groups.

Since 2009, 2thinknow as world’s first innovation agency have classified cities for broad-based innovation. 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities Indexes city rankings free online since 2007, when they started with a very small 22 cities.

This is now 331 cities in the 2011 year, and is the world’s largest and most diverse city ranking.

Contact 2thinknow here: http://www.2thinknow.com/feedback/ or via twitter @2thinknow

City innovation classifications and rankings 2011 for USA, Canada and South America

World’s largest city classification and global ranking with 117 Americas cities (86 USA, 14 Canada, 17 South America)  from 331 benchmark cities classified, and with top cities ranked in 2011. Based on 2thinknow analysis of cities on 162 city indicators from 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data program. Established 2007.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View current Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Key to index.

All cities are graded into award categories based on their index score. In descending order of importance to the innovation economy:

NEXUS: Critical nexus for multiple economic and social innovation segments

HUB: Dominance or influence on key economic and social innovation segments , based on global rends

NODE: Broad performance across many innovation segments, with key imbalances

INFLUENCER: Competitive in some segments, potential or imbalanced

UPSTART: Potential steps towards relative future performance in a few innovation segments

Regions are defined as follows:

AMERICAS: North and South America

EUROPE: The U.N. defined Europe with European union, Western Russia, Israel and major Turkish cities

ASIA: Asia and Oceania (Australia/NZ)

EMERGING: Mid-East, Africa, Turkey and Caucasus states

Full details

Purchase City Benchmarking Data to measure a single city or compare cities.

Read the analyst city report to understand how to build urban innovation economies.

Or place an annual subscription for an affordable full package of analysis.

Methodology in brief:

The Index is the most comprehensive city ranking and scoring. Each city was selected from 1,540 cities based on basic factors of health, wealth, population, geography. The selected 331 cities had data extracted the city benchmarking data program on 162 indicators. Each of the benchmarking data were scored by analysts using best available qualitative analysis and quantitative statistics (see City Benchmarking Data to purchase city data). Where data was unavailable, national or state estimates were used.

Data was then trend balanced against 21 global trends, by analysts.For the final index had a zeitgeist (analyst confidence) factor added, and score reduced to a 3 factor score for Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. For city Classification, these scores were competitively graded into 5 bands (Nexus, Hub, Node, Influencer, Upstart)

The top 33% of Nexus and Hub ( and selected Node cities of future interest)  final graded scores were ranked by analysts based on trends over 2-5 years. From this global Index, 4 regional indexes for Americas, Europe, Asia and Emerging are also produced.

Please note the full list above is classified (Node, Influencer, Upstart) not ranked except wher a rank is noted. Rankings are just for general information. A node ranking is considered globally competitive. More discussion and questions answered in this FAQ.

For more details on methodology, please see the FAQ or order the Innovation Cities Analysis Report.

Reproduction of this list:

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. The easy correct way to do this is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

About 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program:

Based in Melbourne Australia, 2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. Established 2006 we have  designed original  models to measure and deliver innovation to cities, business seeking new markets and growth, and NGO/government clients.

2thinknow Innovation Cities Program to provide powerful tools for creating an innovation economy. This includes the city benchmarking data details on cities by segment globally, recently launched local innovation forum events, analyst reports such as the flagship Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report

In 2011, in the Innovation Course, we are teaching our clients new innovation methods and practices. 2thinknow work with other clients through innovation consulting, analyst reports, projects  and innovation services, as well as a number of online resources and groups.

Since 2009, 2thinknow as world’s first innovation agency have classified cities for broad-based innovation. 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities Indexes city rankings free online since 2007, when they started with a very small 22 cities.

This is now 331 cities in the 2011 year, and is the world’s largest and most diverse city ranking.

Contact 2thinknow here: http://www.2thinknow.com/feedback/ or via twitter @2thinknow

City innovation classifications and rankings 2011 for Europe.

World’s largest city classification and global ranking with 120 European cities from 331 benchmark cities classified, and top 60 European cities ranked in 2011. Based on 2thinknow analysis of cities on 162 city indicators, in what our analysts term the ‘global innovation economy’. Annual city scores and ranking since 2007. City indicators data from 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data program.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View current Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Key to index.

All cities are graded into award categories based on their index score. In descending order of importance to the innovation economy:

NEXUS: Critical nexus for multiple economic and social innovation segments

HUB: Dominance or influence on key economic and social innovation segments , based on global rends

NODE: Broad performance across many innovation segments, with key imbalances

INFLUENCER: Competitive in some segments, potential or imbalanced

UPSTART: Potential steps towards relative future performance in a few innovation segments

Regions are defined as follows:

AMERICAS: North and South America

EUROPE: The U.N. defined Europe with European union, Western Russia, Israel and major Turkish cities

ASIA: Asia and Oceania (Australia/NZ)

EMERGING: Mid-East, Africa, Turkey and Caucasus states

Full details

Purchase City Benchmarking Data to measure a single city or compare cities.

Read the analyst city report to understand how to build urban innovation economies.

Or place an annual subscription for an affordable full package of analysis.

Methodology in brief:

The Index is the most comprehensive city ranking and scoring. Each city was selected from 1,540 cities based on basic factors of health, wealth, population, geography. The selected 331 cities had data extracted the city benchmarking data program on 162 indicators. Each of the benchmarking data were scored by analysts using best available qualitative analysis and quantitative statistics (see City Benchmarking Data to purchase city data). Where data was unavailable, national or state estimates were used.

Data was then trend balanced against 21 global trends, by analysts.For the final index had a zeitgeist (analyst confidence) factor added, and score reduced to a 3 factor score for Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. For city Classification, these scores were competitively graded into 5 bands (Nexus, Hub, Node, Influencer, Upstart)

The top 33% of Nexus and Hub ( and selected Node cities of future interest)  final graded scores were ranked by analysts based on trends over 2-5 years. From this global Index, 4 regional indexes for Americas, Europe, Asia and Emerging are also produced.

Please note the full list above is classified (Node, Influencer, Upstart) not ranked except wher a rank is noted. Rankings are just for general information. A node ranking is considered globally competitive. More discussion and questions answered in this FAQ.

For more details on methodology, please see the FAQ or order the Innovation Cities Analysis Report.

Reproduction of this list:

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. The easy correct way to do this is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

About 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program:

Based in Melbourne Australia, 2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. Established 2006 we have  designed original  models to measure and deliver innovation to cities, business seeking new markets and growth, and NGO/government clients.

2thinknow Innovation Cities Program to provide powerful tools for creating an innovation economy. This includes the city benchmarking data details on cities by segment globally, recently launched local innovation forum events, analyst reports such as the flagship Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report

In 2011, in the Innovation Course, we are teaching our clients new innovation methods and practices. 2thinknow work with other clients through innovation consulting, analyst reports, projects  and innovation services, as well as a number of online resources and groups.

Since 2009, 2thinknow as world’s first innovation agency have classified cities for broad-based innovation. 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities Indexes city rankings free online since 2007, when they started with a very small 22 cities.

This is now 331 cities in the 2011 year, and is the world’s largest and most diverse city ranking.

Contact 2thinknow here: http://www.2thinknow.com/feedback/ or via twitter @2thinknow

Mid-East, Africa and Emerging city innovation classifications and rankings, 2011.

World’s largest city classification and global ranking with 33 Emerging cities from 331 benchmark cities classified, and top cities ranked in 2011. Based on 2thinknow analysis of cities on 162 city indicators, in what our analysts term the ‘global innovation economy’. Annual city scores and ranking since 2007. City indicators data from 2thinknow City Benchmarking Data program.

INDEXES > TOP 100 | AMERICAS | EUROPE | ASIA | EMERGING | GLOBAL

View current Media Release + Read the 2011 FAQ

Key to index.

All cities are graded into award categories based on their index score. In descending order of importance to the innovation economy:

NEXUS: Critical nexus for multiple economic and social innovation segments

HUB: Dominance or influence on key economic and social innovation segments , based on global trends

NODE: Broad performance across many innovation segments, with key imbalances

INFLUENCER: Competitive in some segments, potential or imbalanced

UPSTART: Potential steps towards relative future performance in a few innovation segments

Regions are defined as follows:

AMERICAS: North and South America

EUROPE: The U.N. defined Europe with European union, Western Russia, Israel and major Turkish cities

ASIA: Asia and Oceania (Australia/NZ)

EMERGING: Mid-East, Africa, Turkey and Caucasus states

Full details

Purchase City Benchmarking Data to measure a single city or compare cities.

Read the analyst city report to understand how to build urban innovation economies.

Or place an annual subscription for an affordable full package of analysis.

Methodology in brief:

The Index is the most comprehensive city ranking and scoring. Each city was selected from 1,540 cities based on basic factors of health, wealth, population, geography. The selected 331 cities had data extracted the city benchmarking data program on 162 indicators. Each of the benchmarking data were scored by analysts using best available qualitative analysis and quantitative statistics (see City Benchmarking Data to purchase city data). Where data was unavailable, national or state estimates were used.

Data was then trend balanced against 21 global trends, by analysts.For the final index had a zeitgeist (analyst confidence) factor added, and score reduced to a 3 factor score for Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. For city Classification, these scores were competitively graded into 5 bands (Nexus, Hub, Node, Influencer, Upstart)

The top 33% of Nexus and Hub ( and selected Node cities of future interest)  final graded scores were ranked by analysts based on trends over 2-5 years. From this global Index, 4 regional indexes for Americas, Europe, Asia and Emerging are also produced.

Please note the full list above is classified (Node, Influencer, Upstart) not ranked except wher a rank is noted. Rankings are just for general information. A node ranking is considered globally competitive. More discussion and questions answered in this FAQ.

For more details on methodology, please see the FAQ or order the Innovation Cities Analysis Report.

Reproduction of this list:

The indexes and supporting materials are copyright and used under license by 2thinknow. You may reproduce the statistics and indexes in any reasonable form, graphics, or data mash-up as long as you attribute it to 2thinknow and do not modify the numbers or otherwise mislead. The easy correct way to do this is as follows:

Source: 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program: www.innovation-cities.com [or the link of the page you are referencing]

2thinknow do reserve all rights, including the right to ask content to be removed.

About 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program:

Based in Melbourne Australia, 2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. Established 2006 we have  designed original  models to measure and deliver innovation to cities, business seeking new markets and growth, and NGO/government clients.

2thinknow Innovation Cities Program to provide powerful tools for creating an innovation economy. This includes the city benchmarking data details on cities by segment globally, recently launched local innovation forum events, analyst reports such as the flagship Innovation Cities™ Analysis Report

In 2011, in the Innovation Course, we are teaching our clients new innovation methods and practices. 2thinknow work with other clients through innovation consulting, analyst reports, projects  and innovation services, as well as a number of online resources and groups.

Since 2009, 2thinknow as world’s first innovation agency have classified cities for broad-based innovation. 2thinknow have published the Innovation Cities Indexes city rankings free online since 2007, when they started with a very small 22 cities.

This is now 331 cities in the 2011 year, and is the world’s largest and most diverse city ranking.

Contact 2thinknow here: http://www.2thinknow.com/feedback/ or via twitter @2thinknow