Secpho is one of the best managed clusters in the European Union, according to the Gold Label, which currently has only 99 clusters in Europe. The clusters that the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) considers Gold Label must show their commitment to continuous improvement and meet certain indicators relating to the structure of the cluster, governance, funding, strategy, services and recognition. The ESCA auditors valued as strengths of secpho the ability to connect different sectors of the industry and their teamwork.
Since its foundation in 2009, secpho has connected photonics technologies with more than 25 sectors to enhance the digitisation of the industry, resulting in more than 100 specific project initiatives. “The Gold Label is a recognition of secpho’s formula which consists of promoting innovation workshops to provide solutions to technological challenges formulated by entities both at a state and international level”, explains Sergio Sáez, secpho’s cluster manager. The entity, which began by focusing on the field of photonic technologies, has extended its sphere of influence to other Deep Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Robotics and Blockchain in order to provide solutions to the complex challenges of 21st century society in a collaborative manner among its more than 150 associates.
In the innovative ecosystem of secpho we can find representatives of the 5 pillars of innovation: innovative SMEs, startups, research centres, investors and big corporations.
Deep Tech can contribute to a more sustainable, healthy and efficient society. However, the difficulty in identifying specific technological challenges, their transversal application and the large amount of capital required to implement Deep Tech makes their integration in the rest of the sectors complex. This is where secpho comes into play, as it facilitates intersectorial collaboration between all the agents involved in the process to promote innovation in the field of Deep Tech and accelerate its implementation in our society in an effective manner.