When you say cluster, many people automatically imagine something complex, formal, and distant from everyday business. The truth, however, is much simpler. A cluster is cooperation in practice – a place where businesses, universities, research organizations, cities, startups, and experts meet. Not to talk about cooperation, but to actually do it.
So, what are clusters?
Technically speaking, clusters are organized networks of entities, operating in related or complementary areas, united by a common goal: to innovate, grow, and be more competitive. They don’t necessarily have to be from a single industry.
There are sector-oriented clusters, but also multi-sectoral clusters, which are united by innovation itself – new technologies, new approaches, and new solutions to problems.,
As the Executive Director of INOVATO CLUSTER Anna Čaplovičová says, this is still a weak point for clusters in Slovakia: “First, there needs to be awareness of what cluster organizations are and what they can bring to businesses, the entire ecosystem, and public administration. This benefit is still not sufficiently understood.”
And precisely this misunderstanding of the value of clusters also has consequences for how their systemic support (fails to) function.
Why it pays off for companies to be part of clusters
Companies in clusters don’t just gain “membership.” They gain:
- faster access to innovations and technologies,
- easier partner search both domestically and internationally,
- involvement in joint projects and funding,
- sharing of experience, talent, and know-how,
- and the opportunity to avoid mistakes that someone else has already solved before them.
Clusters thus save time, money, and energy, and significantly increase the chance that a good idea won’t just remain on paper.
Clusters in Europe and the World
International experience shows that clusters act as magnets for innovation and investment. For example, Medicon Valley on the border of Denmark and Sweden connects companies, universities, and hospitals into a single ecosystem, enabling the realization of projects that an individual could neither finance nor organize.
Eyde Cluster in Norway connects companies from the energy and raw material processing sectors in a way that benefits everyone – industry, research, and the state. And the Austrian Silicon Alps Cluster shows that even smaller companies can conduct research and innovation that would otherwise cost them millions.
According to Anna Čaplovičová, there is more than enough inspiration from abroad: “There are many examples from abroad. There’s plenty to be inspired by. You just need to start and find conscious partners who are willing.”
A strong European theme is also the circular economy, where clusters connected through platforms like the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform play an important role.
Slovak Clusters and Their Significance
In Slovakia, the first clusters began to form around 2004. Today, more than 40 of them are operating and cover a wide range of areas – from IT, automotive, and energy to bioeconomy and circular solutions.
Among the best-known clusters are Košice IT Valley, which connects IT companies, universities, and startups and holds a gold ESCA certificate. The Slovak Plastics Cluster connects industrial companies and research organizations. The Bioeconomy Cluster focuses on sustainable solutions and the bioeconomy and holds a bronze ESCA label.
And INOVATO CLUSTER, our cluster, connects companies, universities, experts, and startups, creating space for joint projects, knowledge exchange, and building an innovation ecosystem. In addition to these, there are many others. You can find their full list here.
State Support for Clusters
Although clusters play an important role in innovation and economic growth, Slovakia still lacks long-term and systematic support. As Anna Čaplovičová points out, state agencies should also play a significant role:
“There is a big role here for agencies responsible for cluster policy – in this case, SIEA – to ensure this topic is not just formal. To truly communicate with clusters, map what they do, what can be utilized, and what can be scaled.”
Without a clear strategy and cooperation, clusters often remain dependent primarily on membership fees and their own resources.
Why Cluster Evaluation is Important
Not every cluster operates the same way. That’s why there is ESCA – European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis, an independent European organization that evaluates clusters based on facts, processes, services, and real results.
Based on this, it awards three levels of certification:
- Bronze Label – basic operation,
- Silver Label – systematic improvement,
- Gold Label – professionally managed clusters with a clear impact.
In Slovakia, only Košice IT Valley holds the Gold Label, while the Slovak Plastics Cluster and INOVATO CLUSTER hold the Silver Label.
How does our Executive Director Anna Čaplovičová perceive receiving the Silver Label? “I am not a collector of certificates, but more than the label itself, I value the recognition of the work we have been doing long-term from our own resources and in small steps. It is a confirmation that we are on the right track and that we are a partner of a high standard.”
“It is a confirmation that we are on the right track,” says Anna Čaplovičová after receiving the silver ESCA certificate.
What moved INOVATO from Bronze to Silver
INOVATO underwent the certification process for the first time in 2021. Since then, the cluster has made significant progress.
“During the re-certification, I was able to compare where we were in 2021 and where we are today. Back then, we had 20 founding members; today, we have grown in both numbers and activities,” explains Čaplovičová.
Key changes included strengthening the team, a clear communication strategy, increased visibility, and especially work on strategy:
“The strategy is no longer a document forgotten in a drawer. We involved members, mapped their needs, and participatively set activities. Nevertheless, it remains a living document that adapts to the market and the reality of companies, so that our services bring real benefit.”
ESCA certification is not just about a label, but primarily about improving processes.
“It is a process evaluation of internal quality systems. It showed me that rules, metrics, and clear management settings help, even when we have limited capacities,” says Čaplovičová.
Where INOVATO CLUSTER is Heading
INOVATO is increasingly involved in international projects aimed at supporting innovation and regional development. One of them is Bridge & Shift, which focuses on the transformation of supply chains in the automotive sector. This is a 24-month European project funded by the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) program.
It connects regions from Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. It responds to the challenges brought by electromobility, digitalization, and the pressure for changes in the automotive industry. Special attention is paid to regions in Central and Eastern Europe heavily dependent on the automotive sector.
The project is built on the principle of mutual learning and exchange of experience between regions. The results are expected to be ecosystem analyses, strategic action plans, and new support tools for companies.
“International cooperation is key for regions to manage the transformation of the automotive industry in a sustainable way,” says Anna Čaplovičová. INOVATO represents the Nitra region in the project and plays an important role in financing and forming international consortia.
At the same time, we want to continue systematically developing our membership base, supporting networking, organizing workshops, and creating space for knowledge sharing. This year, we are also strengthening our international visibility, including participation in trade fairs such as EUROBIKE, where we will present ourselves together with some of our members. The 7th edition of the INOFEST innovation festival remains our flagship activity.
A well-managed cluster is one of the most powerful tools for the development of regions, innovation, and the economy. It’s not about formal structures, but about people, trust, and long-term cooperation.
Clusters are not a trend. They are living communities that – when functioning well – can change the economy from within.
TEXT: Natália Stašíková, Anna Čaplovičová
PHOTO: INOVATO
