Clusters

What is an innovation cluster?

A geographic concentration of interconnected businesses, suppliers and associated institutions that are supporting local innovation in particular fields.

How do businesses benefit from being part of a cluster?

1. Access specialised resources and participate in knowledge sharing and collaboration

Clusters bring together businesses, suppliers, academic institutions, and support organisations that specialise in a particular industry or field. This concentration of resources can provide easier access to specialised labour, infrastructure, suppliers, and research institutions, which can enhance innovation and efficiency.

2. Economies of scale

Clusters often lead to economies of scale in production, distribution, and marketing. Shared infrastructure, services, and logistical networks can reduce costs for individual businesses within the cluster, making them more competitive in the market.

3. Access a growing talent pool

Clusters attract skilled workers and professionals who are drawn to the concentration of job opportunities and industry-specific expertise. This can make it easier for businesses within the cluster to recruit and retain top talent, driving innovation and growth.

4. Brand and reputation

Clusters can enhance the reputation and visibility of businesses within the industry. Being associated with a recognised cluster can lend credibility to a company’s brand and attract customers, investors, and partners.

Why set up a cluster?

1. Drive regional economic development

Clusters attract investment, create jobs and stimulate economic activity. By fostering the growth of key industries, clusters can contribute to the overall prosperity and competitiveness of the region.

2. Stimulate innovation and competitiveness

Bringing together businesses, research institutions, and support organisations can spark creativity, drive technological advancements, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the cluster members.

3. Promote cluster-specific advantages

Some regions have unique assets that make them well-suited for certain industries or activities. Setting up clusters focused on exploiting these advantages means you can capitalise on local resources, expertise and market opportunities. For example, Norfolk’s 90 miles of coastline means we have a great natural asset to take advantage of with offshore renewables and seaweed production.

4. Address industry challenges and opportunities

Clusters allow you to address common challenges faced by key industries in your region. By bringing together stakeholders with shared interests and objectives, clusters can facilitate collective action to tackle industry-wide issues, such as regulatory compliance, technology adoption, or market expansion.

5. Attract investment and funding to your region

Strong clusters show the business case for investing into a local industry to stimulate regional  economic growth. Clusters are a great way of showcasing the economic activity that takes place in your region and the demand for future investment.

What is a Hethel Innovation Innovation Platform?

Our Innovation Platforms bring together groups of stakeholders from a range of backgrounds (industry, public sector, research institutes, academia) who want to solve a similar challenge. The solutions generated could be to create a new product or service, set up a joint venture or new business, run a feasibility project highlighting industry needs, or create a new cluster network.  Examples of innovation platforms we have set up and run before cover topics such as Algae, Graphene, Smart Villages and Bio-composite materials.

Hethel Innovation have created a number of innovation platforms and clusters over the years spanning a range of sectors including Manufacturing, Engineering, Bio-composites, Off-shore farming &  Food and Drink. If you want to discuss how to set about creating a cluster in your region, get in touch.

Examples of clusters

Hethel Innovation – Algae Innovation Platform

The Algae Innovation Platform was set up in 2021, with the goal to bring together a group of stakeholders interested in the opportunities that the seaweed industry could bring. The group of stakeholders meet regularly to hear about new research in the field, as well as connecting up with key players and collaborators.

Key outcomes:

• Over 120 people involved in the platform
• Several spin out projects and new companies have been facilitated
• Seaweed In East Anglia Project set up by members of Algae Innovation Platform to create a roadmap for the seaweed industry in the East of England. The one-year £100k project was funded by Norolk County Council’s Norfolk Investment Framework.

NAAME (New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering)

NAAME is the recognised sector group for manufacturing and engineering businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Their Manufacturing Groups are a trusted forum for businesses to make contact with one another and to share ideas, challenges and best practice within a culture of mutual support and encouragement

Tastebuds Collective

Tastebuds Collective is a community for food and drink, connecting business with innovation and research, partnering to support growth in the industry. They are a membership trade organisation for the food and drink sector, right across the supply chain.