The French Health and Nutrition cluster, Vitagora is once again hosting its annual conference aimed at companies, R&D organizations and  other stakeholders in the food, health and nutrition segment. The conference finds place in Dijon, France – the home of Vitagora Cluster March 23 and 24th.

Vitagora is rapidly building a reputation as one of the leading food and nutrition clusters in world. Over the past year, the cluster management has hosted and organized several international in and outbound missions to help its members create collaborative opportunities and partnerships.

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.

As a part of this process, a consortium of French governmental organizations committed to fund the development of 66 clusters with 1.5 billion Euros over 3 years.

The clusters selected to receive funding was selected based on 105 proposal submitted by regional economic and industrial development organizations.

The selection was based on the following criteria:

• The clusters must be anchored into a regional dynamic economy, able to compete internationally. The fit with local industry and strengths was perhaps the most critical criteria.
• The clusters must be built around leading and world-class technology, being able to provide credibility and take a leadership role in its sector worldwide.
• The cluster must incorporate R&D partnership among academia, R&D centers, industry etc.
• The cluster must demonstrate a governance policy / model.
• The overall goal of the cluster is to help bring R&D and innovation to market, and further grow the knowledge based economy in France – improving the country’s competitiveness and create jobs.

Since the initial launch in ’04/’05, an additional 5 clusters have been launched.

Following the Cluster Initiative model, each cluster has a governance model, membership structure, central management and marketing activities.

Since the inception, more than 2,000 R&D projects have been launched within the clusters, and  more than 5 billion euros have been committed (half funded by the French government).

In all, there are 10,000 researchers working on these projects with 5,000 businesses, including SMEs. The French government has committed to maintain the funding until 2011,  with 1.5 billion euros over three years.

Local and regional authorities are funding projects launched by their respective clusters.

As of today, 500 foreign businesses are involved in the clusters and their projects.

Backed by a significant public funding, it seems that the French government continue to believe in the Cluster Initiatives as a central pillar in the country’s innovation and economic development policy.