A new £11 million Cluster Acceleration Programme (CAP) has been formally launched which offers financial support for groups of SMEs that want to work together to scope and exploit opportunities that could enhance their competitiveness.
The programme, which has been designed by Invest NI, is based on the ‘Super Cluster’ model, which is defined as combining industry, government and academia, capital investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.
These groups come together to collaborate on new products or processes, address challenges such as skills and employment gaps, or increase export capabilities and improve productivity.
The new CAP, which will be administered over a 10-year period, aims to identify and support up to five super clusters (and 50 cluster feasibility studies) in areas where businesses in the north have expertise, including advanced manufacturing, life and health sciences, and ICT, which includes software and cyber.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, economy minister Conor Murphy said: “Businesses that participate in clusters have higher levels of innovation, productivity and resilience.
“The aim of the new programme is to develop priority clusters across the north, and it will provide financial support to groups of SMEs and stakeholders to carry out projects that could not be achieved by individual companies on their own.
“As well as developing clusters in areas where we already have expertise, we must also prepare for future economic growth in new industries, not least green technology.”
He added: “I’m committed to creating economic prosperity that is felt across the region. This announcement provides strategic, tailored support for industry, academia and investors that will create good, highly skilled jobs and increase productivity across the north”.
Steve Harper, executive director of international and skills at Invest NI, said: “Our previous Collaborative Growth Programme operated for six years and supported 70 collaborative projects and over 600 businesses from across Northern Ireland. It helped them to tackle challenges, embrace enabling technologies and exploit new market opportunities.
“The success of this programme clearly demonstrates the value of cluster working and has seen a number of successful cluster groups set up, including Manufacturing Engineering Growth Advancement (MEGA), Generating Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence (GEMX), Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore (NIMO) and Advanced Food Drink Network (AFDN).
“These groups have worked together to share best practice, develop new ways of working, address skill pressures and access new markets.
“This new programme is specifically to fund SMEs that can demonstrate a willingness to work together to scope and exploit opportunities which will enhance both their individual competitiveness and that of the region.”
More information on the new programme, including how to apply, can be found at https://www.investni.com/cluster-acceleration-programme, while businesses interested in forming a cluster will be able to get support and advice at a conference and workshop on October 29 (www.investni.com/cluster-acceleration-conference) at the Dunadry Hotel in Templepatrick.
