Regional Clustering to support Start-up businesses : -   A study on social networks in Gnosjöandan and Silicon Valley  -

The report is aimed to stress the support of start-up businesses that exists in the environment of cluster regions. The author will introduce the reader to the conceptions of cluster regions and different shapes of social capital. The empirical study is based on two specific networks operating in two cluster areas – contributing with a broader aspect of the conception of integration. The districts are the region of Gnosjö in southern Sweden and Silicon Valley in southern San Francisco, USA. The author explore relationships between actors within the two networks and highlight two different approaches the networks use dealing with different perspectives as supporting start-up businesses. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing relations in the regional environment, with stand in natural routines and informal meetings. This will be illustrated through examples of intimate interaction in Gnosjöandan and Silicon Valley, through a perspective of regional advantage, facing global markets. The analysis is based on theoretical support with foundation in several themes of conditions for a start-up business to establish on the market. With basis in theoretical frameworks and empirical facts the report has generated an interesting argumentation of critical conditions for establishment of start-up businesses. The discussion is based on different perspectives due to the dissimilar cases used in the study. Consequently, start-up conditions, generated in cluster atmospheres, are highlighted through three interesting aspects