Sectoral clusters: how to boost the success of innovation
Sectoral innovation clusters have become a crucial engine for regional, national and European economic development. They focus their activity on boosting innovation and the internationalization of the companies that make them up and, therefore, there are innumerable advantages for them in being part of these structures.
In today’s changing economic landscape, where competition is increasingly high and companies are constantly seeking to strengthen their positioning and competitiveness, sectoral clusters have emerged as a vital tool for the EU and its policy of stimulating innovation, and thus contribute to improving the competitiveness of our countries supported by business growth and momentum.
An Innovation Cluster or Innovative Business Grouping (AEI) is defined as a grouping, in a geographical area or productive sector, of companies and research and training centers, public or private, involved in a process of collaborative exchange aimed at obtaining advantages derived from the execution of joint projects of an innovative nature (R&D&I).
Clusters are organized around a scientific or technological sector and must have a critical mass to ensure the competitiveness and international visibility of their companies, especially SMEs. These sectoral groupings, which have become a crucial driving force for regional, national and EU economic development, thus focus their activity on promoting innovation and the internationalization of their companies.
From artica+i, we offer our experience in the management of this type of business groupings, both clusters and technology platforms.
What are the advantages of belonging to an innovation cluster?
Clusters offer a number of significant advantages for companies that decide to join them. First, they provide an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation. By being in close contact with other companies and institutions in the same sector, organizations have the opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and R&D&I results. This collaboration can lead to the generation of new ideas and innovative solutions, in an open and collaborative ecosystem, thus boosting growth and competitiveness.
In addition, belonging to a cluster provides access to an extensive network of contacts and resources. Companies can establish strong business relationships with suppliers, customers and potential partners within the cluster, allowing them to expand their customer base and increase their business opportunities.
In addition, the educational and training institutions and research centers that are part of the cluster can offer access to specialized talent and opportunities for the development of advanced products and technologies.
Another important advantage of cluster membership is the support it provides in terms of promotion and advocacy. Clusters often work closely with local and regional governments to promote economic development and improve the business environment. In addition, they act as advocates for the sector’s interests before government institutions, which can result in more favorable policies and regulations for cluster companies.
Finally, they are an excellent tool for accessing projects of common interest at the national, European and international levels. The working environment of the clusters also makes it possible to identify market trends and needs and to seek solutions to common challenges through innovation and technological development of its companies.
54M€ for industrial cluster projects in 2023
Support for the strengthening and activity of innovation clusters is part of the European strategy to improve competitiveness through innovation.
In this line, last November 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism published the final resolution of the Program to Support Innovative Business Clusters through which a total of 281 projects have been subsidized for a value of 54 M€.
With an average amount of more than €190,000 per project, the most benefited sectors in the 2023 call were the ICT sector with 68 projects, and Environment/Energy with another 52, followed by the agri-food sector with 46 projects.
As regards the distribution of these grants by Autonomous Communities, it can be seen that there are communities in which the number of approved applications exceeds by far the rest: Andalusia (28), Aragon (59) and Catalonia (93).
The program provides financial support, in the form of subsidies, for different actions related to innovation, depending on the type of cluster (called “incipient” with between 1 and 4 years of life and “excellence” when they are older than that):
- The implementation and development of coordination and management structures for newly created clusters.
- Technical feasibility studies, including those of a preparatory nature for R&D&I projects, which allow access to current community, state and regional programs.
- Innovative activities in products (goods and services), processes (significant changes in the means of production and distribution), organizational innovations or innovations in marketing.
- Product and/or process innovation activities in cooperation between several members belonging to one or several entities registered in the Register of Innovative Business Groups.
Our experience and success stories
Our advice starts with the eligibility study of the new structure to be created, depending on the fulfillment of the requirements for the creation of a cluster or AEI, whether national or regional, sectorial or not. This initial phase is key to guaranteeing the viability of the project and the real impact of the sector or technology on the generation of wealth in a given geographical area in terms of its GDP is of key importance in its analysis.
Once the eligibility of the project has been verified, it is necessary to prepare the so-called Strategic Plans, a basic tool to access the cluster registry of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, which is the first step for the possible participation of the new clusters in the aforementioned annual calls for aid, both to consolidate their organizational structure and to promote the dynamization of their innovation plans for the direct benefit of all their associates.
Finally, we provide our proven experience, both for the procedures to be followed in the process of setting up the clusters under the chosen legal personality, and to actively participate in their technical, economic-administrative and financial management, as well as in the design of their organizational structures and in the promotion of their institutional relations. Finally, it should be noted that this management may include activities to promote the visibility and positioning of the cluster, through the design and execution of specific communication plans. Therefore, a portfolio of services that allow the cluster promoter to fully outsource its management and optimize its results with a view to improving the competitiveness sought for all associates.
