This event, which was themed ‘internationalization’, included presentations by several experts as well as a matchmaking session to find potential project partners, brainstorm and fine-tune ideas.
50 representatives of 30 (Cluster)organizations attended the meeting.
50 representatives of 30 (cluster)organizations visited Brussels for a stakeholder meeting on June 22nd. This event, hosted by Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship, also served as a stakeholder meeting for the Interreg project ClusterIX2.0. A perfect match for a theme like ‘internationalization’. The aim of this meeting was to present the Cluster representatives with information to improve their business on an international level as well as to strengthen their network and increase the opportunities for future collaboration with other clusters.
Mrs. Annie Renders presents ClusterIX2.0 and the peer review by ESCA.
For this meeting, several experts were invited to talk about topics related to internationalization. Guests included experts from Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the European Fund for Regional Development, the Enterprise Europe Network, Flanders Investment & Trade, Eurotop (European Cluster Collaboration Platform) and a Belgian expert of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (qualified auditor for ESCA Cluster-labelling). Together they presented an overview of support mechanisms for clusters to promote and expand their business on an international level. Also, an update was given about the ClusterIX2.0 project, including a presentation of the results of the ESCA policy review study. Mr. Jacques Viseur, introducing the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, highlighted that although many clusters have formed in Flanders, only few use the platform. Since the platform is used by approximately 650 clusters throughout the world, it could help them address challenges, find missing links in their value chain, extend their markets and build capacity. Local governments can play a role in this, by raising awareness and looking at similar clusters in other countries. Mr. Peter Simkens (DSP Valley) at his turn, mentioned that all support mechanisms and services presented during this meeting have supported his own cluster during internationalization. After the inspiring presentations, the received information could be put into practice in a so-called matchmaking session. During these sessions, clusters presented their cases to potential partners in order to discuss and fine-tune their project ideas, research questions and desired collaboration to create an added value to their work. This matchmaking session aimed to stimulate interaction between clusters to results in new innovation projects. More specifically: shared projects for the launch of a new project call focused on cross cluster collaboration projects. Accompanied by some food and drinks, 15 project ideas were launched, resulting in 20 potential matches and 17 mini-dates to discuss project ideas. There was space for spontaneous meetings as well, which was not wasted by attendees that brainstormed until right before the venue closed.
Mrs. Corien Struijk discusses with one a stakeholder from Catalisti in front of the ClusterIX2.0 poster.
For more information about the Flemish clusters, please visit our website. The presentations (in Dutch) can be found here.
