Business Events

Join us to hear from global cluster experts and internationally renowned cluster practitioners, Christian Ketels, Christian Rangen and Tor Arne Johnsen on the transformative effects of successful collaboration and clustering.

Business leaders will share global best practice and provide practical tips and guidance on how to build effective collaboration.

You will also learn about our new Cluster Acceleration Programme, including details on the support available and how to apply. The programme is open to Northern Ireland SMEs and provides support for groups to work together to scope and exploit opportunities that could enhance their competitiveness.

Attendees will;

Obtain a global perspective and understanding of cluster development and innovation
Get cutting edge insights on how work is advancing cluster strategies, developing innovative eco systems and helping businesses confront environmental and social challenges
Learn about global best practice and how cluster-based initiatives can help businesses to respond to economic crises
Have an opportunity to engage with leading minds and potential collaborators from different regions
Explore how clustering can help add value through knowledge exchange, establishment of international partnerships, sharing best practice and aid development of innovative solutions across borders
The afternoon session will feature an interactive workshop, facilitated by Victor Haze & Christian Range, Engage Innovate, internationally recognised cluster practitioners, and academic researchers involved in cluster development.

Who should attend?

The event is of value to those business leaders, entrepreneurs, academic partners, support agencies, stakeholders and government departments who are wishing to collaborate, already collaborating, or interested in being part of future priority cluster ecosystems.

Agenda

08:30 - 09:00: Registration & networking

09:00 - 09:10: Introduction by Kieran Donoghue, CEO, Invest NI

09:10 - 10:10: Christian Ketels, Clustering to aid transformative change

A global perspective on making it work for NI
How might it aid productivity & help address environmental and social challenges
What value will it bring if we get it right
10:10 - 10:50: Panel Discussion: Value of cluster membership to maximise impact

Tor Arne Johnsen, NOW Offshore/Maritime Cluster, Norway
Xabier Ortueta, AFM Advanced Manufacturing Cluster, Basque
10:50 - 11:20: Networking, tea & coffee

11:20 - 12:00: Panel Discussion: Fish to finance: The importance of entrepreneurship

Alexandra Leeper PhD, Iceland Ocean Cluster /Life Science
Nicola Anderson, Fintech Cluster, Scotland
12:00 - 12:40: Panel Discussion: Leveraging public and private sector collaboration

David Fernandez, SPRI and Basque
Werner Pamminger, Business Upper Austria, Med Tech/Clean Tech
12:40 - 13:40: Lunch & networking

13:40 - 16:40: Building successful clusters & how can the Cluster Innovation Business Model help

Facilitated by Christian Rangen & Victor Haze, Global Experts from Super Cluster Business Model Innovation, including Agri Tech Case Study from Sebastiaan Berendse, Director of Corporate Value Creation (CVC) at Wageningen University & Research.

16:40 - 17:00: Linda Jamison, Head of Collaboration & Clusters, Invest NI

The Cluster Acceleration Programme: How to apply and practical next steps
Closing remarks