F2C Innovation: French agri-food “super cluster”

A French partnership among three agri-food clusters is an interesting model for how to further utilize the synergies and dynamics created within a cluster. First announced  during IFT earlier this year, Vitagora,  Valorial and AgriMip have joined forces under the brand F2C: Field to Consumer.

By doing so, the three clusters will allow its collective members of 370 companies, 130 public and private R&D organizations and 35 academic institutes collaborate, share information and build intra-cluster partnerships.

This is yet another example of how clusters realize the opportunity of creating brands to further advance its position and recognition globally. Branding of clusters is a practice that seems to have gotten most traction in Europe (we are aware of 11 branded food related clusters in Europe alone – but I am sure there are more). There are certain regions in North America as well that have either established a brand (e.g. Montréal InVivo), or in the process of doing so. Our organization is currently working with two North America metropolitan regions, in two different industry sectors that are in the process of developing a “branded” Cluster Initiative similar to those mentioned above.