The concept of innovation communities has emerged in recent years. It has connections to the older concepts of knowledge management and communities of practice. The aim of this paper is to explore the conceptual links between the three concepts and from there on the possible roles and tools of innovation intermediaries in developing the operational links between knowledge, practice and innovation. The paper presents a literature review on knowledge management, communities of practice, innovation communities and innovation intermediaries. Connecting to this review it uses systemic theory to explore the links between the four concepts, with a particular emphasis on how intermediaries can boost innovation communities through better knowledge management and through better connections to communities of practice Systemic theory and systemic meetings have proven useful for the development of intermediary cluster roles and tools. Systemic meetings have provided practical insights of the functioning of the community, insights that can be reflected against using systemic theory as an umbrella theory for the explored conceptual theories. Innovation intermediaries of different sorts have an increasing role in the strengthening of innovation and entrepreneurship in clusters and regions. Systemic theory can be used to clarify the roles of intermediaries and systemic meetings can be used as tools for intermediary and community development.