Por Ismael Buendia 
The Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation has granted accreditation as agents of the Andalusian knowledge system to nine business groupings in the category of innovation clusters. This distinction will be valid for four years, renewable thereafter, allowing these entities to participate in the processes of research, technological development, and innovation in the community. Inclusion in the public registry of knowledge agents is a prerequisite for accessing the incentives provided by the regional government for research and innovation.
The following entities have been recognized as innovation clusters in the community: Andalucía Aerospace, Railway Innovation Hub, Clúster de Empresas Digitales, Sostenibles e Industrias Innovadoras (onTech Innovation), Smart City Clúster, Landaluz, Clúster Marítimo Naval de Cádiz, Inóleo, Clúster del Plástico de Andalucía, and Innovacal. These groupings focus on key sectors that drive regional economic growth and competitiveness, such as aerospace, railway transportation, agri-food, olive oil production, naval maritime sector, and plastics industry.
The registry of knowledge agents classifies innovation clusters as private structures that bring together a set of companies, research centers, and training institutions, both public and private, within a geographic area or productive sector. It emphasizes that their activities should revolve around a scientific or technological field or market, with a critical mass to ensure the competitiveness and international visibility of the represented business fabric.
Of these entities, seven were previously registered in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism’s Registry of Innovative Business Groupings, which led to their automatic recognition as innovation clusters in Andalusia upon submitting their application at the end of last year. The national recognition signifies that they have the necessary business and economic strength to drive innovation, with the exception of Innovacal and the Clúster del Plástico de Andalucía, which are recognized only at the regional level.
Conditions to be an innovation cluster in Andalusia
In 2024, the Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation approved the requirements for innovation clusters in the community, including the obligation to concentrate 25% of the turnover or 10% of the companies in their reference sector within the geographical scope of operation. Additionally, clusters must represent a scientific or technological field, or an industrial or service sector, with a turnover of at least 0.75% of the regional GDP and be unique in the economic segment they represent.
Special attention is given to the level of representation that SMEs must have within these groupings, with a requirement of over 35% among their partners or members. It is also required that the number of associated firms exceeds 30 and that they have among their members a public university in Andalusia, a public research organization, an R&D institute or foundation, or a technological center. The conditions also stipulate that at least 50% of partners must have their headquarters or a workplace in Andalusia.
The Ministry of University distinguishes between two types of innovation clusters based on maturity level. Innovation clusters meet all the criteria, while consolidable innovation clusters are those that do not yet meet all the requirements for satisfactory compliance and have some exceptions, especially regarding their weight in relation to the regional GDP, which has been relaxed to 0.5% in 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 for promoting business clusters in Andalusia, driven by the regional government’s commitment to fostering regional economic development through innovation and technological advancement. This policy also includes providing aid and incentives to support their activities and project development. The Ministry of University has already approved the guidelines that will regulate the first subsidy program worth ten million euros, from the Andalucía FEDER 2021-2027 Program.
Clusters are key drivers of business competitiveness and growth, capable of attracting talent, fostering innovation, and attracting investments in their sectors. They provide SMEs with the opportunity to collaborate and engage in the dynamism and sectorial strategies they advocate. Thus, they are essential components to promote business cooperation and innovation diffusion to enhance the competitiveness of various productive sectors in the Andalusian economy.