Dallas-Fort Worth is among the best in the world for innovation.  The region grabbed the No. 6 spot on the list of world’s most innovative cities that’s published by 2thinknow, a firm that does research and analysis globally. That’s up seven spots from 2019.  Tokyo led the list as the local region outranked big players such as Seattle, San Francisco-San Jose and Atlanta. The only U.S. cities that were ahead of North Texas were Boston and New York City.  Houston, which jumped nine places since 2019, came in at No. 8 as Texas cities were helped by economic inflows, the statement said. Austin was No. 21.

“Dallas-Fort Worth has steadily risen over time, largely due this year to local factors such as economic policy, plus also net migration, growth, input costs, trade, remaining open, etc.,” Chris Hire, director of data, at the firm, said in an email.  Overall, the U.S. did well. For the first time in 14 years, more than half of the top hundred cities were from this country. It included cities such as Little Rock, Ark., and Omaha, Neb., the statement said.  California was a net loser this year, Hire said.   “The way to retain DFW leadership is to continue to encourage entrepreneurship and growth and trade for local growth business, thus enabling innovation,” Hire said.  “There are other important levers, but entrepreneurial zeal is key.”

• Dallas Business Journal, July 8, 2021