With more than 30 years of experience in cluster policy, in Catalonia, 27 clusters are home to 3,000 firms and other entities with a combined turnover of over €80,000M.
Both Catalonia’s administration and its dynamic business community rapidly saw the value of forming one of the major cluster programs in Europe.
With more than 30 years of experience in cluster policy, 27 clusters are home to 3,000 members, generate over €80,000 million, and represent 36% of the industrial turnover and 36% of the industrial jobs.
For over 30 years, Catalonia has been a pioneer in cluster-based economic policy in Europe, attracting major international players, such as the TCI Network, the global cluster practitioner’s network, and the European Foundation for Cluster Excellence, along with other renowned knowledge institutions.
The success of Catalonia’s cluster policy has been acknowledged by the Harvard Business School in a published business case, making it a global benchmark for cluster-based economic development. According to the Harvard publication, companies within cluster programs in Catalonia show higher levels of investment activity, increased research and development efforts, and superior performance in job creation and internationalization.
Thanks to its extensive experience in business clusters, Catalonia has become an attractive destination for foreign companies aiming to establish a new business in Europe.
Cluster policy here responds to the Catalan government's diverse, pro-business economic policy to promote Catalonia internationally.
Our clusters, major sources of sectorial knowledge, create the ideal ecosystem to connect businesses in similar fields, research institutions, universities, and other key stakeholders with similar strategic challenges.
By allowing companies to connect locally and globally, Catalan clusters are the ideal tool to help them generate and run collaborative projects with sufficient critical mass to compete globally.
Furthermore, as they concentrate on key industries in Europe and Spain, international companies and investors can easily access the resources of a dynamic network of specialized partners and industry-related suppliers, providers, and associations.
“Thanks to clusters, Catalonia is much more attractive to foreign companies because they immediately get into an ecosystem of partners, rather than just a greensite to invest in”
Christian Ketels, Faculty member and Researcher at Harvard Business School and EU Commission Special Advisor
27 clusters
Catalonia is home to 27 cluster associations
3,000 members
The clusters group together 3,000 companies and entities
€80,000M+ in Turnover
Clusters in Catalonia generate a turnover of over €80,000 million, contributing 36% of the industrial turnover.
18 Dec 2024
Catalonia: A Global Example of Cluster Excellence
17 Oct 2024
A group of 20 Catalan clusters travel to China to explore innovation opportunities and build alliances
30 Sep 2024
Cluster participation in Catalonia rises 30%, hitting a record of 3,000 companies
22 May 2024
Success Case: Dow’s experience in Catalonia, Southern Europe’s main chemical cluster
