technological development of companies, technology intermediaries are created to help firms to take advantage of their knowledge. The intermediaries are specialized in different R&D activities and R&D related activities and are able to support firms in building absorptive capacity. Impact From an economic perspective, innovation intermediaries create multi-sided markets by delivering value to several agents on a matching market, create the market and manage the matching process. In the age of the internet, there are increasing numbers of online services and platform that explicitly try to play the role of innovation intermediary, including technology matchmaking services, crowdfunding and crowdsourcing services, meetup sites etc. Despite the trend of online platforms, a managerial role for effective tie building in networks or efficient technology matchmaking is necessary. History Innovation intermediaries have always played a key role in innovation; for example, the agricultural middlemen in 16th, 17th and 18th century Britain who not only bought and sold wool, but facilitated the transfer of knowledge of new techniques. With the recent fashion for 'Open Innovation' involving complex networks of firms and users, organisations such as consultants, service incubators, conference organisers, online platforms, trade organisations, government innovation agencies etc. are now recognised as playing a central role in facilitating and coordinating innovation. See also Innovation management Open innovation Open innovation intermediaries Disintermediation References Further reading Alberdi, X., Gibaja, J. J. and Parrilli, M. D. (2014): "Intermediaries and Regional Innovation Systemic behavior". Lund University. CIRCLE Working Papers (WP20/2014). Bessant, J and H Rush (1995). "Building bridges for innovation: the role of consultants in technology transfer". Research Policy, 24, pp. 97–114 Burt, R (2004). "Structural holes and good ideas". American Journal of Sociology, 110, pp. 349–399. Hargadon, A. B. (1998) "Firms as knowledge brokers: lessons in pursuing continuous innovation". California Management Review, 40, 3, pp. 209–227. Holzmann, T., K. Sailer, B. Katzy (2014) "Matchmaking as multi-sided market for open innovation", Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, Vol 26, Issue 6, pp. 601–615 Holzmann, T., K. Sailer, B. Galbraith, B. Katzy (2014) "Matchmaking for open innovation - theoretical perspectives based on interaction, rather than transaction", Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, Vol 26, Issue 6, pp. 595–599 Howells, J. (2006) "Intermediation and the role of intermediaries in innovation", Research Policy, 35, pp. 715–728. Katzy, B., E. Turgut, T. Holzmann, K. Sailer (2013) "Innovation intermediaries: a process view on open innovation coordination", Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, Vol 25, Issue 3, pp.