IKED was founded in 2001 as a non-profit association. Funding for its establishment phase was received from the Swedish government, Region Skåne and Malmö Municipality. Project funding was received from the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Confederation of Swedish Industry, among others. Since 2005 IKED operates as an independent think-tank on a global platform, based on project funding and partner arrangements.
IKED's headquarters are at the World Trade Centre in Malmö.
The organisation engages an extensive network of partners and associated experts, addressing the emerging issues and opportunities of the knowledge era, placing high emphasis on sound use of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, the social context, sustainability, and planetary health.