The Smartest Places on Earth: Why Rustbelts Are the Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation by Antoine van Agtmael & Fred Bakker Summary
Overview
Forgotten rustbelts are becoming "brainbelts" - innovation hubs where industrial skills meet academic research. From Akron to Eindhoven, this book reveals how collaborative ecosystems are revitalizing economies worldwide, challenging the notion that manufacturing regions are destined for decline.
- Rustbelts transform into innovation hubs through shared knowledge and smart manufacturing.
- Brainbelts thrive on collaborative ecosystems merging academia with industrial expertise.
- Solving global problems becomes competitive advantage for revitalized industrial regions.
- Universities drive economic revival by bridging research with practical manufacturing needs.
- Agile public-private partnerships outperform traditional top-down industrial policy models.
- Knowledge-driven “brainpower” replaces cheap labor as key production differentiator.
- Trust-based networks enable faster innovation cycles than isolated corporate R&D.
- Former factory workers become critical partners in tech-driven manufacturing evolution.
- Regional revitalization requires combining legacy skills with cutting-edge research capabilities.
- Sustainable competitiveness emerges from solving climate and health challenges locally.
- Brainbelts demonstrate how industrial decline creates unexpected innovation opportunities.
- Antoine van Agtmael redefines economic development through collaborative knowledge ecosystems.
About the Author
Antoine van Agtmael and Fred Bakker, authors of The Smartest Places on Earth: Why Rustbelts Are the Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation, combine decades of expertise in global economics and financial journalism to explore regional revitalization.
Van Agtmael, who coined the term “emerging markets,” is a seasoned economic strategist with leadership roles at the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and Brookings Institution. His prior work, The Emerging Markets Century, established him as a visionary in global market trends.
Bakker, an award-winning financial journalist and former CEO of Het Financieele Dagblad, brings sharp analysis of monetary systems and innovation ecosystems. Their book reframes post-industrial cities like Akron and Eindhoven as “brainbelts” thriving through collaborative “brainsharing” between academia, industry, and government.
Van Agtmael’s advisory roles with the Council on Foreign Relations and NPR Foundation, alongside Bakker’s media influence, underscore their authority on economic transitions. Featured on platforms like the Diane Rehm Show, their research has shaped conversations at institutions like Yale and the Brookings Institution, where the book was celebrated as a blueprint for 21st-century competitiveness.
FAQs About This Book
What is The Smartest Places on Earth by Antoine van Agtmael about?
The Smartest Places on Earth explores how former industrial hubs like Akron and Dresden have transformed into innovation hotspots called "brainbelts." These regions combine academic research, technical expertise, and collaborative networks to solve global challenges through smart manufacturing and advanced technologies, shifting the competitive edge from cheap labor to intellectual capital.
Who should read The Smartest Places on Earth?
This book is ideal for business leaders, policymakers, and tech enthusiasts interested in economic revitalization. It offers insights for those exploring regional innovation strategies, collaborative business models, or the future of advanced manufacturing in Western economies.
What are "brainbelts" in The Smartest Places on Earth?
Brainbelts are revitalized industrial regions that leverage partnerships between universities, startups, and corporations to drive cutting-edge innovation. Examples include Albany’s nanotechnology cluster and Eindhoven’s tech ecosystem, which focus on smart materials, AI, and sustainable solutions.
How does The Smartest Places on Earth use Akron as an example?
Akron, once a declining rubber industry hub, rebounded by specializing in polymer research through collaborations with the University of Akron and companies like Goodyear. It exemplifies how traditional manufacturing cities can pivot to high-value innovation.
What role does collaboration play in the book’s thesis?
Van Agtmael emphasizes "brainsharing"—collaborative networks where academia, industry, and government co-develop solutions. This model contrasts with siloed R&D, enabling faster commercialization of ideas like Dresden’s semiconductor advancements.
What criticism does The Smartest Places on Earth face?
Critics argue the authors oversimplify the viability of brainbelts in smaller cities and underaddress challenges like funding gaps or corporate monopolies. However, the book’s case studies provide actionable blueprints for economic renewal.
How does The Smartest Places on Earth compare to other economic revival books?
Unlike The Rise of the Creative Class (focused on urban talent), this book highlights industrial reinvention through applied research. It aligns with The Second Machine Age but emphasizes regional collaboration over broad tech trends.
Why is The Smartest Places on Earth relevant in 2025?
With AI and automation reshaping industries, the book’s framework for combining technical expertise with academic innovation offers a roadmap for cities adapting to post-pandemic supply chain shifts and green technology demands.
What key quote defines the book’s message?
“The global competitive advantage is shifting from cheap to smart.” This underscores the transition from cost-driven manufacturing to brainbelt-led innovation in aging industrial regions.
How can businesses apply concepts from The Smartest Places on Earth?
- Partner with universities: Access research talent for prototyping.
- Focus on niche markets: Develop high-margin, tech-driven products.
- Build regional networks: Share infrastructure and data to reduce costs.
What industries are highlighted as brainbelt success stories?
- Healthcare: Wearable medical devices in Eindhoven.
- Energy: Solar panel tech in Dresden.
- Materials: Polymer innovations in Akron.
Who co-authored The Smartest Places on Earth with Antoine van Agtmael?
Fred Bakker, a former editor-in-chief of Het Financieele Dagblad (Dutch Financial Times), contributed his expertise in financial journalism and European economic trends to the book.
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Key Themes in The Smartest Places on Earth
Quotes from The Smartest Places on Earth
After decades of obsession with making things cheap, the future would focus on making things smart.
Effective brainpower sharing requires the right balance of focus and openness.
Brainbelts create distinctive environments that magnetize talent and businesses.
The awakening typically occurs when frustration reaches a tipping point or a new player arrives.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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