Community is the invisible force behind success
In an Innovation Cluster, community is not built solely by key actors or strategic agreements: it is strengthened through shared behaviors that generate trust, collaboration, and agility.
There are common behaviors in the most successful innovation ecosystems. At Goo Ventures, we have integrated these principles into our way of working to enhance our Venture Studio in Health, Sports, and Wellbeing.
Key COI behaviors and their application at Goo Ventures
1. Open and high-frequency interaction
In a successful COI, actors communicate constantly, both formally and informally.
- Our approach: we combine strategic meetings with informal encounters, both in-person and virtual, to keep our finger on the pulse of each project and enable fast connections between investors, corporates, and startups.
2. Trust and reciprocity
Collaboration is based on mutual trust and the certainty that creating value brings value in return.
- Our approach: we share metrics and learnings among startups and partners, and foster agreements where all stakeholders benefit clearly.
3. Collaboration even among competitors (coopetition)
In a COI, even competing companies can collaborate when a common goal exists.
- Our approach: we promote joint validations between startups with complementary technologies and create spaces where rival corporations can take part in non-exclusive pilots.
4. Continuous flow of talent and knowledge
People and ideas move in and out of the cluster, bringing new perspectives.
- Our approach: through programs like Break The Gap 2025 or our Board of Advisors, where experts from different countries advise and temporarily participate in projects.
5. Results orientation and speed
The strongest COIs move fast to seize opportunities.
- Our approach: we apply lean and agile methodologies in every startup, with short test-and-learn cycles that allow pivots in weeks, not months.
How we measure the health of our community
At Goo Ventures, we evaluate our ecosystem with key indicators such as:
- Frequency of member interactions.
- Number of cross-collaborations between startups.
- Average time from initial connection to execution of a joint project.
- Level of perceived trust in internal surveys.
- Total value generated through collaborations.
Real examples of community in action
- AI & mHealth Challenge 2024: several participants continued collaborating after the challenge, creating synergies beyond the official program and growing their projects.
- Break The Gap 2025: not only were startups funded, but agreements and resources were secured to accelerate their pilots.
Conclusion: Networks and behaviors that multiply cluster value
Beyond infrastructure and capital, Innovation Clusters are sustained by shared behaviors.
At Goo Ventures, we cultivate these dynamics so that our community is not just a networking space, but a true engine of real and sustainable innovation.
