Health Innovation Funding: Spearhead Clusters Lead the Way in Flanders
BioVox spoke with Sara Van Overmeire and Annie Renders of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) about the origin and role of spearhead clusters. VLAIO is the Flemish government’s point of contact for all entrepreneurs in Flanders. It relies on Biovia and other spearhead clusters to bring companies together and support them in setting up innovative projects.
While Biovia has put in place many strategic initiatives, one of its key activities is its role as a spearhead cluster, focusing on innovation at the intersection of medical biotech, medtech and digital health. This year Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) is working with its spearhead clusters (SPCs) — the seven organizations that represent key sectors for the Flemish region — to roll out the new Flemish cluster policy.
One of the new priorities is that SPCs should provide more support for startups and SMEs, including helping them secure financing, such as venture capital. The good news for Biovia? It was already doing that.