What is a cluster?

Clusters are networks of companies predominantly composed of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and micro-enterprises, deeply rooted in their local areas, often operating within the same production niche or industry sector. In a globalized economy, clusters enable these businesses to pool their resources and access markets that would otherwise be out of reach for individual companies.

In a broader sense, the term “cluster” also refers to the organization responsible for coordinating the network’s activities.

The essential element of a cluster is the focus on innovation.

Initiated by the French government in 2004, the “competitiveness cluster” policy aimed to mobilize key factors of competitiveness, with innovation capacity at the forefront, to drive growth and employment in promising markets.

A cluster gathers, in a well-defined geographical area and around a targeted theme, small and large companies, research laboratories, and educational institutions. For CARA, we operate in the field of mobility across two regions: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Centre-Val de Loire.

National and regional authorities are closely involved in this dynamic. The strengths within a cluster are diverse and all contribute to the development of dynamic ecosystems that generate wealth.

A competitiveness cluster aims to support innovation. It fosters the development of highly innovative collaborative research and development (R&D) projects. It also supports the growth and development of its member companies by valorizing and bringing to market new products, services, or processes resulting from research projects. By enabling participating companies to establish leading positions in their markets in France, Europe, and internationally, competitiveness clusters are drivers of growth and employment.

Competitiveness clusters rely on strong territorial roots while leveraging existing structures such as industrial networks, campuses, and collective infrastructures.