Starting Ecosystems: Turning Connections into Momentum

In this session, Roland Harwood will explore the role and journey of the people who start ecosystems: those unusual individuals who connect founders, investors, institutions, corporates and communities early enough, and often persistently enough, to turn fragmented activity into shared momentum. Drawing on his work across innovation, systems design and community building, Roland brings a practical perspective on what it really takes to catalyse an ecosystem and help it grow with purpose. He is currently Community Lead at Milestone Systems, where his work sits at the intersection of technology, trust and collaboration. He has also helped build and activate the Climate Tech SuperCluster, a cross-border effort to connect talent, technology and investment around climate innovation, and he connects the Net Zero Living network of 59 towns and cities working towards Net Zero.
The talk will reflect on the people behind ecosystems: not only entrepreneurs, but also conveners, translators, brokers and champions who create the conditions for others to succeed. It will consider how these ecosystem starters spot patterns, assemble unlikely alliances and sustain energy over time, especially in complex fields where innovation depends on coordination as much as invention. This promises to be a thoughtful discussion about leadership beyond hierarchy, and about how ecosystems begin, evolve and endure because certain people choose to make connection, trust and collective progress their life’s work.

Dr Roland Harwood is a compulsive connector of people and ideas, working at the intersection of smart cities, climate-tech, and ethical AI. He is the Community Lead at Milestone Systems (part of the Canon Group), where he helps build a global network of startups and cities focused on generative AI and ethical insights based on video data through Project Hafnia, and the CEO of Liminal (a certified B Corp) and the co-founder of the Climate Tech Supercluster, which collaborates across five countries and four sectors, and convenes the Net Zero Living community of 59 towns and cities.

In addition, he is a visiting lecturer at several Universities, a Trustee of the Participatory Cities Foundation, a Design Council Expert, an Advisory Board Member of the Harvard Business Review, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a podcaster ('On The Edge') and a writer. He has previously co-founded and led an award-winning open innovation agency, and holds a PhD in Physics. Latstly but most importantly, he is a proud and exhausted father of three.

This event is open to all and free to attend - please book your place.

This event is organised in collaboration between Wolfson College Research Networks and the Innovation Ecosystems Network.

This event will take place in the Lee Hall which has step-free access and an accessible toilet.

If you have any questions, please contact our events team - [email protected]

The Wolfson College Research Networks are the College’s central hub for research activity, fostering excellence in learning, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Organising and curating a diverse programme of academic events, the Research Networks support the College’s research hubs and initiatives, and facilitates knowledge exchange by connecting scholars across disciplines within Wolfson, the wider University, and industry.

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The Innovation Ecosystems Network convenes expertise and research on strategies, policies, and practices for successful innovation and entrepreneurship outcomes in cities, regions, and nations.

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