One-liner: joining a sector cluster (AEI — Agrupación Empresarial Innovadora) plugs a startup into its industry's network, open innovation, joint R&D, market access and internationalisation — the activities financed by the IVACE+i Cluster Program 2026. The value of the cluster layer, unlocked by membership.
What you get
- Industry network & matchmaking — corporates, suppliers, research partners and peers in your vertical.
- Open innovation & joint projects — access to collaborative R&D, consortia (for grants like PIDI/AEI), and shared services.
- Market access & internationalisation — trade missions, sector events, positioning, and standards/regulatory intelligence.
- Access to cluster-run programs (accelerators, investor days, training) funded via the IVACE+i Cluster Program 2026.
The main Valencian clusters (pick your sector)
- AVIA (automotive/mobility) · AVAESEN (energy/cleantech) · Bioval (biotech/health) · Cosmetics Cluster CV · Cluster Ceramico (ceramics) · Cluster Energia CV · Cluster Defensa CV · Valencia Silicon Cluster (semiconductors) · plus textile (ATEVAL), toys (Valle del Juguete), furniture/habitat and others — see GVA Clusters (registry) for the full list.
Who it's for
- Any startup/SME with a clear sector that wants industry connections, consortium partners and market access — especially deeptech/industrial.
How to engage
- Identify your cluster in GVA Clusters (registry) and apply for membership on that cluster's site (annual fee; often reduced for startups).
- Join working groups, open-innovation calls and internationalisation missions; use the cluster as a consortium partner for grants.
Key facts
- Paid annual membership → industry network + open innovation + market access. Financed via the IVACE+i cluster grants; the cluster does the heavy lifting.
Relations
- Part of: GVA Clusters (registry)
- Funded by: IVACE+i Cluster Program 2026
- See also: AVIA
- See also: AVAESEN
- See also: Bioval
- See also: CleanConnect VLC