The Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation has granted accreditation as agents of the Andalusian knowledge system to nine business associations in the innovation cluster category. This distinction will be valid for four years, after which it must be renewed, and allows these entities to participate in the processes of research, technological development, and innovation that take place in the community. Moreover, being included in the public registry of knowledge agents is a prerequisite to access the incentives provided by the regional government in research and innovation.
The following entities have already been recognized as innovation clusters in the community: Andalucía Aerospace, Railway Innovation Hub, Digital, Sustainable, and Innovative Industries Cluster (onTech Innovation), Smart City Cluster, Landaluz, Cádiz Maritime Naval Cluster, Inóleo, Plastic Cluster of Andalucía, and Innovacal. These associations carry out initiatives in key sectors that promote regional economic growth and competitiveness such as aerospace, railway transportation, agri-food, olive oil production, maritime naval industry, and plastics industry.
The registry of knowledge agents categorizes innovation clusters under structures and networks, considering them as private structures that bring together a set of companies, research centers, and training institutions, both public and private, within a geographical area or productive sector. It also stipulates that their activities should revolve around a scientific or technological field or market, and they must have a critical mass to ensure the competitiveness and international visibility of the business fabric they represent.
Out of these nine entities, seven were already registered in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism’s Registry of Innovative Business Associations. Therefore, their recognition in Andalusia as innovation clusters was automatic once these business associations submitted their applications at the end of last year. The Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation believes that the national distinction already proves that all of them have the necessary business and economic strength to drive innovation. All clusters are in this situation except Innovacal and the Plastic Cluster of Andalucía, which only have recognition at the regional level.
Requirements to be an innovation cluster in Andalusia
In 2024, the Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation approved the necessary requirements that innovation clusters must meet in the community, including the obligation to concentrate 25% of the revenue or 10% of the companies in their reference sector within their operational geographic area. It also states that clusters must represent a scientific or technological field, or an industrial or service sector, with revenue amounting to at least 0.75% of the region’s GDP and be unique in the economic segment they represent.
Special attention is given to the representation level that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must have within these associations, setting a requirement of over 35% among their partners or members. Additionally, it is required that the number of affiliated firms exceeds 30 and that among their members, there should be a public university in Andalusia, a public research organization, an R&D institute or foundation, or a technological center. The conditions also include that at least 50% of the partners must have their headquarters or a workplace in Andalusia.
The Ministry of University distinguishes between two types of innovation clusters based on their maturity level. On one hand, there are the innovation clusters that fully meet all the requirements, and on the other hand, there are the consolidatable innovation clusters, which are those that do not yet meet all the requirements to achieve a satisfactory compliance level and have some exceptions, especially regarding their contribution to the regional GDP, which has been adjusted to 0.5% for these cases.
First cluster policy in Andalusia
The inclusion of these entities as knowledge agents and the development of specific regulations form the basis of the first comprehensive policy to promote business clusters in Andalusia, driven by the regional government’s commitment to fostering regional economic development based on innovation and technological advancement. This policy also includes providing assistance and incentives to support their activities and project development. The Ministry of University has already approved the guidelines that will govern the first grant program worth ten million euros from the Andalusia FEDER 2021-2027 Program.
Clusters are a key factor in business competitiveness and growth, capable of attracting talent, driving innovation, and attracting investments in their sectors. They also offer SMEs the opportunity to collaborate and participate in this dynamic environment and sectorial strategies. Therefore, they are essential elements in promoting business cooperation and innovation diffusion to enhance the competitiveness of the various productive sectors of the Andalusian economy.
