The article provides a basic overview of the development of competence centres in Latvia as well as analyzes their role and position in the national innovation system. There is also given model of evaluation of national innovation system in order to provide proper justification before any innovation activity. The model contains the following elements: education, science, legislation, financing and entrepreneurship. The article investigates the possibility to regard innovation centres as the core of innovation activity, thus fostering the general innovation capacity and economic growth.