The aim of the SHOKs w'as to reinforce global market relevance of publicly funded R&D and innovation by enhancing the joint involvement of industry (or public R&D institutions). They w'ere considered as being used mostly by large firms (incumbents) with limited participation by other firms (SMEs and new firms), and functioning under a rather closed regime and with a bias tow'ards existing technologies and products. There are, however, interesting cases of practice still under operation (such as DIMECC Ltd and CLIC Innovation Ltd), whose features and evolution should be examined and better understood. Active and promising innovation networks could be further mobilised and better utilised to address innovation challenges in high-priority areas such as bioeconomy/cleantech, the circular economy and digitalisation.