Bavaria's Clusters
Allianz Bayern Innovativ: Bavaria’s Cluster Campaign
The cluster campaign is a new feature of the modernization strategy designed to enhance Bavaria's role as a top location for business and science, which systematically follows on from the Bavarian High-Tech Initiative. Its aim is to build state-wide networks interlinking business and scientific potential in 19 defined industry and competence clusters and thus to activate innovation and productivity potential in these clusters. The campaign is flanked by a second pillar of the "Allianz Bayern Innovativ" aimed at boosting cross-sectoral regional networks.
A basis for global competence: Bavaria’s clusters
High-tech clusters
Biotechnology
Aerospace
Satellite navigation
Information and
communications technology
Environmental technology
Medical technology
Production-oriented clusters
Automotive engineering
Chemicals
Sensorics and
power electronics
Nutrition
Forest and wood
Financial services
Media
Energy technology
Railway technology
Logistics
Cross-sectoral technologies
Nanotechnology
Mechatronics / Robotics /
Efficient production systems
New materials
An opportunity for companies: Bavarian cluster competence
The 19 clusters already provide a substantial degree of competence in terms of:
- universal value-creation chains
- an evironment consisting of major user sectors
- efficiency and application-orientation in research
- availability of highly qualified staff
The activities of the Bavarian cluster initiative take up these capabilities and promote the formation of networks among participating companies as well as between companies and research establishments: as a basis for developing new products and production processes as well as for positioning companies in growth markets. For each Bavarian cluster, platforms are created that bring together companies, research establishments and universities, permit intensive cooperation and hence release innovative potential.
Controlled synergy: cluster management
The main tasks of the cooperation platforms are to establish and maintain a contact network of companies, research establishments, associations, investors, support institutions, consultants and other players in the cluster in question. In order to ensure that the cooperation platforms can function successfully, the cluster spokesmen and the cluster management specifically build structures for contact and communication between industry and science as the motors driving the cluster process and encourage innovative projects.
The relevant cluster management is the contact partner throughout Bavaria for the existing cluster networks. It assists with the organization of events, promotes the creation of thematic profiles and development of potential and highlights new fields of application and projects, the implementation of which is then left to the discretion and responsibility of the cluster companies.
With Bavaria at the spearhead: innovation policy combined with corporate zeal
Since the 1960s, the Bavarian State Government has consistently developed its research infrastructure. With 112 universities, 17 Universities of Applied Sciences, 11 Max Planck Institutes, nine institutes of the Fraunhofer Society and the three major research establishments, Bavaria now has an excellent research landscape to offer. Over the last decade, the State Government has substantially improved the innovative strength of major sectors and forward-looking fields of technology with its "Offensive Zukunft Bayern" programme designed to make Bavaria fit for the future and its High-Tech Initiative. In conjunction with a comprehensive range of support instruments for research and development projects, Bavaria is now one of the most attractive and efficient technology locations in Europe:
- With an investment share of approx. 15 percent of the state budget, Bavaria invests more than any of the other non-city states in the former Federal Republic.
- Close on three percent of the gross domestic product is invested in research and technology in Bavaria. This places Bavaria well above the German average and gives it a top ranking within Europe.
- More than a quarter (about 28 percent) of all patents applied for in Germany came from Bavaria in 2003 - more than from any other state in Germany. With 115 patent applications per 100,000 inhabitants, Bavaria by far surpasses the German value (64).
The cluster campaign consistently pursues Bavarian innovation policy, thus enabling the State Government to boost the competitiveness of industry in Bavaria. This will secure and create jobs in all parts of the State. Further information can be obtained under
www.bayern-innovativ.de/cluster2006.
Reference:
©Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology
http://www.invest-in-bavaria.de
