As we begin a new year, we’d like to wish all our followers a happy and innovative new year in 2013.  The past year, 2012, involved some major activities in the evolution of The Next Silicon Valley, and our visibility seems to have aligned with an equally growing interest in the innovation agenda globally. Many countries have been involved in some way in innovation-related conferences, events or activities – whether they have been governmental, not-for-profit, or for-profit organizations.