Innovation Norway – Norwegian Innovation Clusters
Norwegian Innovation Clusters is a government supported cluster program. The program aims to trigger and enhance collaborative development activities in clusters. The goal is to increase the cluster dynamics and attractiveness, the individual company’s innovativeness and competitiveness.
The program is organized by Innovation Norway, and supported by Siva (The Industrial Development Corporation of Norway) and the Norwegian Research Council.
Norwegian Innovation Clusters supports cluster on three levels:
Arena: Immature clusters: Clusters that are in an early phase of organized cluster collaboration. They can be clusters with different preconditions and potential: they can be small or large, and the participants can be in a regional, national or international position.
Norwegian Centres of Expertise (NCE): Mature clusters with a national position: Clusters that have established a systematic collaboration and that have developed dynamic relations with high interaction and a broad strategic action area. The participants in the clusters have considerable potential for growth in national and international markets.
Within their respective sectors or technology areas, the clusters have a strong national position and the participants normally have clear and strong international ambitions.
Global Centres of Expertise(GCE): Mature clusters with a global position: Clusters that have already established systematic collaboration and that have developed dynamic relations with high interaction and a broad strategic action area. The clusters have considerable potential for growth in national and international markets.
They form part of a strong innovation system, based on both publicly funded R&D and the participants’ privately-funded R&D. Educational programs of a high international caliber are available that have clear professional relevance to the cluster, and the cluster comprises global market and technology leaders that are integrated in and have a strong position in global knowledge networks.
For more information about Norwegian Innovation Clusters and how to get involved, please click here.