Nov
16
2009
Cluster strategy central to future economic development in Portland, Oregon (U.S.)
Last month, the City of Portland presented its five year economic development strategy with the ambitious goal of creating 10,000 new jobs in the city in the next five years. This aggressive objective has been gaining some questions in the local media, but is probably a welcomed addition to an economy that has been hit hard, losing more than 44,000 jobs over the past 12 months according to the strategy document.
The cluster strategy will be implemented by The Portland Development Commission (PDC), and the plan outlines four industries that will serve as the city’s target clusters:
Although some of he local media has questioned the absence of life science as the fifth cluster, the PDC has in our opinion a very sound reasoning, basing the selection of the four cluster focus industries based on what industries are already thriving and have a critical mass in the region. Granted the analysis behind this is correct, the PDC is probably facing a favorable situation as they are building their clusters upon the existing strengths and momentum of the local industry. Although life science is attractive and trendy, we are glad to see that the PDC is taking a activation rather creation approach to its cluster development strategy.
A quick read through the development strategy document shows that PDC may still have some work to do with regards to funding of the effort. Also, although the document briefly touches upon a strategy for how these cluster will be developed, there is a far step from an economic development plan based on labour and financial data to a successful and realistic cluster development plan. We will stay tuned.
No Comments • Categories: Uncategorized
Oct
28
2009
Cluster Ambassador Program
Clusters are increasingly acknowledging the importance of alliances with other clusters and regions to help fuel innovation and growth. The Scandinavian life science cluster Medicon Valley has taken a unique approach by establishing a Cluster Ambassador program.
The program was launched in 2008, with the objective to improve collaboration and information exchange with leading life science clusters in the world.
The Life Science Ambassador Program is based on the idea of exchanging representatives (Ambassadors) between Medicon Valley and other leading life science clusters around the world.
Midicon Valley will send an Ambassador to a participating cluster, and that cluster will in return send one to Medicon Valley. The exchange will last for a period of 2-3 years and the Ambassador will be integrated into the day-to-day operations at the clusters.
The Ambassadors will work together to develop new relations by scouting for science and business opportunities and by promoting networking between the participating clusters.
When the program is fully implemented, Medicon Valley expects to be home to representatives from 12 of the world’s leading life science clusters. The Ambassadors will work daily in the same environment to form productive win-win alliances between cluster organizations and clusters stakeholders.
The concept in short:
- Build a strategic network of contacts and active collaborations with 10 of the leading and emerging life science clusters in the world.
- Representatives from the these leading and emerging regional clusters will call Medicon Valley “home” for a period of 2-3 years
- Foreign Ambassadors will be embedded into day to day operations at Medicon Valley Alliance
- Medicon Valley’s representatives will be embedded into the host organizations abroad.
- Creation of a global life science “Hub” in Medicon Valley where ”The world meets for life science.”
The program strives to achieve the following goals:
- Increased business-to-business interactions
- University/hospital collaborations with the purpose of defining and executing complementary research programs
- Cross-sector initiatives combining the skills and competences of the private life science sector, the universities and health care sectors
- Cross-exploitation of accumulated knowledge between the regional organizations of the bio clusters
- Actively promote opportunities for private Venture Capital investments in either regions.
Three Ambassador Programs/exchanges have been signed as of today. These are with Kobe-Kansai cluster in Japan, Life Science British Columbia, Seoul Life Science Cluster in Korea.
No Comments • Categories: Uncategorized
Oct
24
2009
Clusterpreneur.com founders publish article on cluster alliances
Increasingly clusters are forming alliances, domestically as well as internationally. This is often done as a strategic effort to better meet the goals of the cluster and its stakeholders. There are different approaches for developing such alliances. Some clusters have a very structured and deliberate approach, other reach out in a less structured and even a serendipitous manner.
Despite the approach, establishing alliances is increasingly critical to the successful growth of the cluster, and depending on the maturity stage of the cluster, can become a major driver for economic development and the cluster’s growth.
The article is available in the Life Science Clusters journal.
No Comments • Categories: Uncategorized
16 2009
Cluster strategy central to future economic development in Portland, Oregon (U.S.)
Last month, the City of Portland presented its five year economic development strategy with the ambitious goal of creating 10,000 new jobs in the city in the next five years. This aggressive objective has been gaining some questions in the local media, but is probably a welcomed addition to an economy that has been hit hard, losing more than 44,000 jobs over the past 12 months according to the strategy document.
The cluster strategy will be implemented by The Portland Development Commission (PDC), and the plan outlines four industries that will serve as the city’s target clusters:
Although some of he local media has questioned the absence of life science as the fifth cluster, the PDC has in our opinion a very sound reasoning, basing the selection of the four cluster focus industries based on what industries are already thriving and have a critical mass in the region. Granted the analysis behind this is correct, the PDC is probably facing a favorable situation as they are building their clusters upon the existing strengths and momentum of the local industry. Although life science is attractive and trendy, we are glad to see that the PDC is taking a activation rather creation approach to its cluster development strategy.
A quick read through the development strategy document shows that PDC may still have some work to do with regards to funding of the effort. Also, although the document briefly touches upon a strategy for how these cluster will be developed, there is a far step from an economic development plan based on labour and financial data to a successful and realistic cluster development plan. We will stay tuned.
28 2009
Cluster Ambassador Program
Clusters are increasingly acknowledging the importance of alliances with other clusters and regions to help fuel innovation and growth. The Scandinavian life science cluster Medicon Valley has taken a unique approach by establishing a Cluster Ambassador program.
The program was launched in 2008, with the objective to improve collaboration and information exchange with leading life science clusters in the world.
The Life Science Ambassador Program is based on the idea of exchanging representatives (Ambassadors) between Medicon Valley and other leading life science clusters around the world.
Midicon Valley will send an Ambassador to a participating cluster, and that cluster will in return send one to Medicon Valley. The exchange will last for a period of 2-3 years and the Ambassador will be integrated into the day-to-day operations at the clusters.
The Ambassadors will work together to develop new relations by scouting for science and business opportunities and by promoting networking between the participating clusters.
When the program is fully implemented, Medicon Valley expects to be home to representatives from 12 of the world’s leading life science clusters. The Ambassadors will work daily in the same environment to form productive win-win alliances between cluster organizations and clusters stakeholders.
The concept in short:
- Build a strategic network of contacts and active collaborations with 10 of the leading and emerging life science clusters in the world.
- Representatives from the these leading and emerging regional clusters will call Medicon Valley “home” for a period of 2-3 years
- Foreign Ambassadors will be embedded into day to day operations at Medicon Valley Alliance
- Medicon Valley’s representatives will be embedded into the host organizations abroad.
- Creation of a global life science “Hub” in Medicon Valley where ”The world meets for life science.”
The program strives to achieve the following goals:
- Increased business-to-business interactions
- University/hospital collaborations with the purpose of defining and executing complementary research programs
- Cross-sector initiatives combining the skills and competences of the private life science sector, the universities and health care sectors
- Cross-exploitation of accumulated knowledge between the regional organizations of the bio clusters
- Actively promote opportunities for private Venture Capital investments in either regions.
Three Ambassador Programs/exchanges have been signed as of today. These are with Kobe-Kansai cluster in Japan, Life Science British Columbia, Seoul Life Science Cluster in Korea.
24 2009
Clusterpreneur.com founders publish article on cluster alliances
Increasingly clusters are forming alliances, domestically as well as internationally. This is often done as a strategic effort to better meet the goals of the cluster and its stakeholders. There are different approaches for developing such alliances. Some clusters have a very structured and deliberate approach, other reach out in a less structured and even a serendipitous manner.
Despite the approach, establishing alliances is increasingly critical to the successful growth of the cluster, and depending on the maturity stage of the cluster, can become a major driver for economic development and the cluster’s growth.
The article is available in the Life Science Clusters journal.
