Shaping a Vision for Emerging Industry Clusters

Industry clusters are groups of firms that gain a competitive advantage by co-locating in a geographic region and sharing assets, networks, knowledge, workforce training, etc. The Office of Economic Development partners with allies to help support existing and emerging regional industry clusters by leveraging University research, faculty expertise, facilities, education programs, and more. A few examples of regional clusters are listed below (not a comprehensive list):

• Advanced Manufacturing - UVA has a several industry collaborations that address advanced manufacturing challenges. Ongoing support for the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) unites students, researchers, government, and private companies to improve manufacturing technologies and processes and further develop a workforce that drives innovation in Virginia. As an applied research center, CCAM brings together academia, government, and industry to create the ideal environment for members to conduct meaningful, collaborative research. UVA assisted in securing collaborations, sponsorship across higher education and industry, physical space, and funding to build and support the Center.
• Biotechnology - Central Virginia is home to more than 75 life sciences organizations engaged in developing therapeutics, diagnostics, devices, and other products and services to improve human health. A large portion of the University's research funding is related to biotechnology, making us a natural player in accelerating and sustaining industry growth. Together with private companies, the University can advance the biotechnology industry to create more high-quality jobs and sustain an economic engine for our community. The University partnered with the CvilleBioHub and the City of Charlottesville on a GO Virginia-funded initiative that accelerated the biotechnology cluster in the region.
• National Defense and Intelligence - Central Virginia is home to a strong presence of federal and contract agencies that support national defense and intelligence, including those located at Rivanna Station. North Fork hosts a cluster of companies that support Rivanna Station and is also home to the Defense Affairs Committee (DAC), a partnership with the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Collaboration between industry, government, and academia continues to build the defense cluster in Central Virginia, creating jobs and solving challenges of national importance.