Kirsten Bound

Kirsten joined NESTA in September 2009 as Lead Policy Advisor on Innovation Systems. Her work explores new approaches to supporting innovation alongside the development of Nesta's international agenda. Current projects she oversees include an analysis of the distinctive strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the Indian innovation system. Her recent work has included an evaluation of the Technology Strategy Board's Small Business Research Initiative, and analysis of new approaches to incubating and accelerating technology startups.

Prior to Nesta, Kirsten worked for Tony Blair's Africa Governance Initiative in Rwanda, capacity building and advising the Rwandan Prime Minister on a new Policy Delivery Unit. She also worked as a consultant on Investment Climate Reform for the World Bank's International Finance Corporation.

Kirsten spent five years as a Researcher then Senior Researcher for Demos, a leading public policy think tank. Her work focused on democracy and participation; and science and innovation in emerging economies. Her publications include Brazil: the Natural Knowledge Economy and India: the uneven innovator, part of The Atlas of Ideas; and The Startup Factories: the rise of accelerator programmes to support new technology ventures.