EOCIC: The Smart Guide to entrepreneurship support through clusters

Submitted by Alina Danielescu Chirlomez on 29 August 2019

How can clusters boost entrepreneurship? How can entrepreneurship policy makers make better use of clusters? What can be learned from good practices about supporting start-ups and scale-ups sustainably through clusters? What are the Do’s and Don'ts for cluster and entrepreneurship policy-makers?

The purpose of this Smart Guide is to provide guidance to cluster policy makers and cluster managers in designing and implementing programmes that accelerate the creation of start-ups, spin-offs and scale-ups in emerging industries and in specific value chains. By focusing on innovative entrepreneurship, this guide offers practical help on how clusters can mobilise resources to effectively support entrepreneurship throughout the entire entrepreneurial life cycle. The guide shows that entrepreneurship support through clusters can be a driver of SME competitiveness, industrial modernisation and job creation. It presents 12 examples of good practices of entrepreneurship support programmes delivered through a cluster approach. As there is no" one size fits all" approach, the good practices constitute a mix of support measures and implementation frameworks that can be activated within clusters to establish vibrant and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems. The guide concludes by identifying 7 Do’s and Don'ts to guide cluster and entrepreneurship policy-makers in designing effective entrepreneurship support programmes.