Starting with 2026 Cluj IT begins a new strategic collaboration with a world-class competitiveness cluster dedicated to deeptech technologies: AKTANTIS. Established in 2005 in the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and the Occitania region in the South of France, the cluster brings together an ecosystem of more than 300 industrial players, large multi-national groups, SMEs and startups, research laboratories and leading universities in their fields. They are working together to develop and market products and innovative services to generate growth and jobs in high growth markets
Since 2005, AKTANTIS has held the prestigious French Government label “World Class Cluster” and, since 2013, the European Gold Cluster Label, reflecting its excellence and long-term impact. Today, it stands as a key European ecosystem across five strategic technology domains: Microelectronics, Cyber & Digital Security, IoT, AI & Data Analytics, and Photonics & Imaging.
AKTANTIS’ mission is threefold: to stimulate collaborative R&D innovation, accelerate the growth of SMEs and mid-sized companies, and position its deeptech ecosystem as a major European and international player. Since 2005, the cluster has mobilized €1.64 billion in R&D investments, secured €666 million in public funding, and supported 60 innovation projects with €11.7 million in aid, involving over 500 SMEs and mid-caps in collaborative R&D initiatives.
Deeply embedded in a European network of clusters, AKTANTIS actively develops bilateral partnerships and joint EU projects with peer organizations, among them, Cluj IT.
A major milestone in this collaboration will be reached in 2026, when AKTANTIS and Cluj IT will become mutual members of each other’s communities, following a formalization process concluded in Q4 2025. This reciprocal adhesion marks a foundational step toward deeper cooperation between the two ecosystems.
By connecting their communities, AKTANTIS and Cluj IT aim to unlock new collaboration opportunities for their members, particularly in high-impact areas such as cyber & digital security and AI & data analytics. Together, they are laying the groundwork for stronger cross-border innovation, shared expertise, and expanded access to European markets—creating clear, mutual benefits for both ecosystems and their members.
Alignment and Collaboration
These two ecosystems, AI & Data Analytics and Cyber & Digital Security, present significant alignment with Cluj IT’s priority areas and the specialized services offered by DIH4Society. The primary goal of this collaboration is for Cluj IT to bring its clients and experts closer to this European Deeptech Ecosystem of business organizations and companies working together within the European market for the European market.
Key areas of alignment include:
- AI and Data Analytics: The ecosystem’s advanced technologies, including deep learning, natural language processing, vision, and pattern recognition, align directly with Cluj IT and DIH4Society’s focus on digital transformation. This collaboration offers an opportunity to connect local clients and experts to a European ecosystem with proven expertise in developing hardware and software architectures for managing massive data in the cloud.
- Cyber & Digital Security: The Cyber ecosystem’s expertise in secure IP blocks, cryptography, countermeasures, and secure platforms is critical for securing the digital transition, which is a core service area for DIH4Society. This connection provides access to advanced services, such as tailored systems and key management, benefiting businesses looking to mitigate complex cyber threats.
- Deeptech Ecosystem and SME Growth: As a “European Deeptech Ecosystem”, AKTANTIS focuses on fostering collaborative R&D innovation and accelerating the growth of small businesses. This strongly supports Cluj IT’s mission to strengthen the competitiveness of its members. Both ecosystems show a high concentration of Start-ups and SMEs (70% for AI and 60% for Cyber), creating a robust foundation for connecting smaller, innovative Romanian companies within the broader European Deeptech market.
- Collaborative R&D and Funding: Substantial R&D investments (e.g., 125 million euros in AI and 326 million euros in Cyber) and public subsidies demonstrate successful collaborative project development. This provides Cluj IT and DIH4Society members with a resource pool for potential partnerships, increasing the chance of obtaining funding thanks to labelling for new R&D projects. AKTANTIS also leads European projects, such as DREAM, which specifically offers cascade funding for SMEs (e.g., 1.05 million euros of funding for SMEs), demonstrating an active role in pan-European collaboration and funding opportunities. And both AKTANTIS and Cluj IT are currently partners in the CITADEL project, which will also propose cascade funding to SMEs in the domain of security.
