On Superclusters and Ecosystems
Innovation Superclusters and innovative ecosystems are both crucial engines of growth. In our research, we have looked into future trends and how governments can actively build Innovation Superclusters around the industries of the future.
SUPERCLUSTERS VS. ECOSYSTEMS
Globally, there are around 7000 formal Innovation Superclusters. Of these, around 15–25 may be recognized as genuine Innovation Superclusters. On the other hand, most startup ecosystem ranking will often rank the top 150–200, with Silicon Valley, Beijing, Boston, Shanghai, New York, and Tel Aviv topping the list. One ecosystem, let’s say Beijing, may count 30–100 clusters. While one cluster, possibly the Norwegian seafood cluster in Finmark, could be a single cluster, it does not have much of an ecosystem to lean on. While both these systems of innovation are important, they are also fundamentally different.
SUPERCLUSTERS ARE ACTIVELY BUILT
Innovation Superclusters are the result of both active government programs, long-term industry leadership, and hands-on organizational development.
A cluster will always have an operating organization, a (small) management team, a board or steering commit, an operating budget, members and reporting. No matter what size, from early “baby clusters”, to Growth Clusters and Superclusters, these traits are always in place.
Two examples are the two ocean-centric clusters, NCE Seafood Innovation Cluster, located in Bergen, Norway and Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, based in St. John, Newfoundland. Both are led by a CEO, co-funded by Government and industry alike and working to solve industry-level challenges to unlock sustainable economic growth in the ocean space.
ECOSYSTEMS ARE PASSIVELY NURTURED
Ecosystems, on the other hand, are far more passively nurtured. Granted, governments will invest heavily in various elements of ecosystem development, including Singapore’s recent announcement of a $500M investment into building Singapore into one of the world’s leading AI ecosystems.
This will likely propel Singapore forward and put it even more firmly on the world map of most innovative tech hubs.
But you are unlikely to find a CEO, a single member-based operating unit, a cluster-based strategy document and the close collaboration found in the best clusters around the world.
CB Insights, an analysis firm, recently published an overview of the world’s leading tech hubs, or ecosystems. Much along the methodology lines of Startup Genome, CB Insights maps out the best tech hubs, based on a number of key variables.
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking ahead, our research shows Innovation Superclusters are on the rise. At the same time, regions and nations are competing more than ever to attract, build and scale the best tech firms. Whether in life sciences, AI, smart mobility, clean energy or platform-based business models; expect to see both Superclusters and ecosystems become an even higher focus for governments, policymakers and nation builders in decades to come.
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About the author
Christian Rangen is a strategy & transformation advisor to companies, innovation clusters, and governments around the world. He is the developer of 50+ new Strategy Tools and four strategy simulations.
He is the founder, CEO of Engage // Innovate — strategy & innovation consulting company and Strategy Tools — the Modern Strategist’s Platform.
