Most current research and development projects deployed at university level are fully embedded within a historical grown academic culture. Core and fundamental research, free from any ‘outside’ influences and driven by inspired and ambitious researchers or research programs is well-known and methods of conduct, analysis of results and the results themselves are solidly engrained in peer-reviews, financial systems and academic award systems.

However, we see a growing need for innovation within the built environment industry. Traditionally a craftsmanship world with seemingly many obstacles for this industry to radical developments due to relatively limited budgets (almost non-existent innovation dedicated budgets), project driven in combination with severe competition regulations and a generally short term financial outlook. Simultaneously the industry needs radical changes: energy transition, climate change and raw material demands are just a few of the global challenges that need to be addressed. And especially these issues are currently addressed within various academic research contexts.

There is a need for a better, more efficient and effective collaboration between industry and academia. In terms of content this is evident. Just as clear are the cultural gaps; different economies, time schedules, hierarchies and management models, even though ambitions and tasks are aligned. There is a need for ‘moderating’; how to bridge academic knowledge and industry expertise, how to facilitate building industry in the transition from craftsmanship to high-tech, how to produce effective ‘deliverables’ by academic researchers, and even how to describe and structure research assignments and processes, too name just the obvious ones.

Were in other disciplines like ‘IT’ and ‘energy’ a completely different culture of innovation, finance of research and facilitating start-ups and ‘good ideas’ exists, in the built environment industry and the related university world innovations and research seems fully dependent on government driven financial programs and formats. One can state that ‘other disciplines’ can truly operate globally supported by global multinational industries and interests and the built environment while developing ‘global knowledge’ is per definition local and depending on regional industries and economies. However, it seems clear that one can learn from other experiences and formats. Not to ‘copy – paste’ directly, but to borrow elements, adapt and implement those that can improve an ‘eco-system’ for developing and applying built environment innovations. Ranging form crowd-funding to venture capitalist funding formats, including the associated ‘business-side’ and from improving a facilitating role for culture change in industry to optimizing and expanding the academic world of research characteristics: fundamental and applied.