atlantic cluster

What atlantic cluster does

Atlantic Cluster (legal entity: CLUSTER NAUTIQUE NAVAL NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE, SIREN 834 503 781) is a non-profit industry association (association loi 1901) founded in 2018 to serve the nautical and naval sector across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. Headquartered at 1 rue de la Trinquette in La Rochelle, the cluster organizes boat builders, equipment manufacturers, sailmakers, shipyards, services firms, ports, and maritime training institutions into a shared platform for networking, innovation, R&D facilitation, export support (Club Export), HR development (Club RH), and environmental transition. Its operating model revolves around annual membership adhesion (fees not publicly disclosed) supplemented by co-funding from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region under the "Feuille de route des industries nautiques et navales 2023-2028," with formal representation on the Région's Comité de Pilotage.

The cluster runs a portfolio of recurring programs: afterworks, workshops, general assemblies, working groups covering refit, composites, hydrogen, and digitalization, an annual convention (launched in September 2026 at Le Pallice), and the co-organized Trophées Innovation Nautisme with Groupe Sud-Ouest and the Région. It maintains a visible presence at Cannes Yachting Festival, Grand Pavois La Rochelle, Paris Nautic Show, METSTRADE Amsterdam, Boot Düsseldorf, and SNIM Puglia, and brokers trade missions for members via its Export Club. Strategic alliances span institutional partners (Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, ADEME, CCI Charentes Maritimes, Aunis Atlantique, COBAS, Rochefort Ocean), industry peers (GICAN, EuroSIMA), energy (EDF on decarbonation), and education (EIGSI, ESTIA, La Rochelle Université, Lycée Maritime et Aquacole).

Commercially, Atlantic Cluster is not a product or technology vendor. It does not build proprietary software or core technology; its "stack" is a coordination platform — website, newsletter, LinkedIn/Facebook channels, member directory, and member-only portal. Revenue mechanics are membership fees plus public institutional support, no venture or equity funding is recorded, and ownership is governed by a Board of Directors with day-to-day management handled by a single Cluster Manager (Gaëlle Pallu de la Barrière). At five employees, the operation is small and admin-heavy, with the cluster's strategic value residing in convening power, institutional legitimacy, and network breadth rather than direct revenue capture.

Name

atlantic cluster

Legal name

CLUSTER NAUTIQUE NAVAL NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE

Website

https://atlantic-cluster.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Atlantic Cluster is a non-profit industry association founded in 2018 that convenes nautical and naval companies, ports, and training institutions across Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, delivering networking, R&D, export, HR, and environmental-transition services funded by member fees and regional government support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Cluster Services for the Maritime Sector

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Partner, Channel & Alliance Summits (THAHAMAC)

Keywords

• Industry cluster association
• Nautical industry network
• Naval industry cluster
• Maritime professional association
• Regional industry network

Headquarters

HQ city

La Rochelle

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Atlantic Cluster generates revenue through annual membership fees (adhésion) from companies in the nautical and naval industry. The cluster also receives support from regional public institutions including the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Atlantic Cluster is a non-profit regional industry association that delivers membership-based services to companies in the nautical and naval sector of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. Its core services include facilitating industry networking, organizing working groups (Club RH, Club Export, refit, composite, hydrogen, digital), running training and HR initiatives, coordinating export missions, hosting innovation competitions (Trophées Innovation Nautisme), and representing members at major trade shows and regional industry roadmap committees alongside the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region.

Product overview

Atlantic Cluster is a regional industry cluster (association) supporting the nautical and naval sector in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, rather than a product company itself. It connects member companies through networking, events, training, export support, innovation initiatives, and working groups (e.g., ship repair/refit, environmental management, HR, R&D). It does not offer a proprietary product line but facilitates collaboration, promotion, and development of the regional nautical and naval industry through clubs (Export, RH), innovation competitions, and participation in trade shows (Cannes Yachting Festival, Grand Pavois La Rochelle, Nautic de Paris, METSTRADE, Boot Düsseldorf, SNIM Puglia). The cluster also publishes industry news, facilitates job postings, training offers, and project calls (Appels à Projets) for its members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Atlantic Cluster Membership Program Annual adhesion program for nautical and naval companies in Nouvelle-Aquitaine providing access to networking events, working groups, training offers, export support, innovation competitions, trade-show representation, and member-directory visibility via the Espace Membre on atlantic-cluster.com.
• Club RH (HR Working Group) Recurring working group for member-company HR managers addressing workforce development, training, apprenticeship recruitment, and skills planning in the nautical and naval industries.
• Club Export Working group dedicated to helping member companies develop export activities, share international market intelligence, and participate in international trade missions and matchmaking events.
• Refit Working Group (Groupe de travail Réparation navale/refit) Thematic working group focused on naval repair and refit activities, bringing together member shipyards, service companies, and port authorities to coordinate refit operations.
• Trophées Innovation Nautisme Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Innovation Competition) Annual innovation competition recognizing member companies and partners developing innovative products, services, and processes in the regional nautical industry.
• Cluster Events Program (Afterworks, Workshops, Convention Annuelle) Calendar of in-person member events including afterworks at trade shows (Cannes Yachting Festival, Grand Pavois La Rochelle, Paris Nautic Show, METSTRADE), themed workshops, working-group meetings, and the Convention Annuelle.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizes multiple annual events including innovation competitions, afterworks, workshops, and an annual convention
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreOthersThe Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region is the primary institutional partner supporting Atlantic Cluster. The Region has established a 'Feuille de route des industries nautiques et navales 2023-2028' and organizes regular steering committee meetings (Comité de Pilotage). The Region also co-organizes the Trophées Innovation Nautisme and supports various cluster initiatives including training programs and innovation competitions.
• EIGSIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIGSI (École d'Ingénieurs Génie Systèmes) is an engineering school based in La Rochelle that collaborates with Atlantic Cluster on HR initiatives, hosting Club RH meetings and other joint events. The partnership supports workforce development and training for the nautical industry.
• Solutions CompétencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolutions Compétences collaborates with Atlantic Cluster on HR and training initiatives, co-organizing workshops and training programs for members, particularly related to skills development and workforce planning.
• Grand Pavois OrganisationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGrand Pavois Organisation organizes the Grand Pavois La Rochelle boat show, one of Europe's largest sailing boat shows. Atlantic Cluster actively participates with a dedicated stand and organizes tables rondes (roundtables) during the event. EDF also partners with Grand Pavois on decarbonation tables rondes.
• EDFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEDF has partnered with Grand Pavois Organisation and Atlantic Cluster to organize tables rondes focused on maritime decarbonation. EDF also participates in other cluster events and supports the sustainable transition of the maritime sector.
• La Rochelle UniversitéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Rochelle Université collaborates with Atlantic Cluster on research projects and innovation initiatives. The university participates in cluster events and supports the development of the nautical and naval industry through academic partnerships.
• Aunis AtlantiqueminorOthersAunis Atlantique (Communauté d'Agglomération) has partnered with Atlantic Cluster, particularly in the context of regional development and economic promotion of the territory.
• GICAN (Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGICAN is the French naval industry association. Atlantic Cluster works with GICAN on industry representation, standardization (ISO), and defense-related initiatives including the Trinôme Économique de Charente-Maritime.
• ESTIA EntreprendreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESTIA (École Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées) partners with Atlantic Cluster for innovation projects, hosting Mastère Spécialisé programs and collaborative initiatives in the nautical sector.
• EuroSIMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuroSIMA is the European surf and water sports industry association based in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Atlantic Cluster collaborates with EuroSIMA on skills development, organizing joint events like the Forum des Métiers de la Glisse.
• ADEME Nouvelle-AquitainecoreOthersADEME (Agence de la Transition Écologique) partners with Atlantic Cluster on environmental initiatives including boat recycling programs, carbon footprint analysis for the nautical industry, and funding for sustainable innovation projects.
• CCI Charentes MaritimesminorOthersChambre de Commerce et d'Industrie des Charentes Maritimes collaborates with Atlantic Cluster on business development initiatives and supports shared resource programs for member companies.
• COBAS (Communauté d'Agglomération du Bassin Sud)minorOthersCOBAS collaborates with Atlantic Cluster on innovation calls for projects (Appel à Projets Start-up Innovantes) and regional development initiatives.
• Rochefort Ocean AgglomerationminorOthersCommunauté d'Agglomération Rochefort Ocean collaborates with Atlantic Cluster through the Technopôle de l'Arsenal and supports cluster activities in the Rochefort area.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cluster Maritime Français: French national maritime cluster federating the broader maritime economy. Comparable as a cluster organization providing networking, advocacy, and member services across the French maritime sector, of which Atlantic Cluster is a regional node.
• Fédération des Industries Nautiques (FIN): The national French federation representing the pleasure boating and nautical industry. Direct peer as the apex trade body for nautical industry members in France, performing advocacy, trade show, and member services similar to Atlantic Cluster but at national level.
• Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique: French maritime competitiveness cluster based in western France covering naval, naval defense, maritime safety, and nautical sectors. Direct peer as a regional cluster organization driving R&D collaboration, innovation funding, and industry networking in overlapping geographies.
• GICAN (Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales): French national trade association for the naval construction and activities industry. Directly comparable as a membership-based industry association for the naval sector, with which Atlantic Cluster collaborates on standardization and defense initiatives.
• EuroSIMA: European surf and water sports industry association based in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Direct peer as a sector-specific industry association organizing events, jobs forums, and networking for action-sports companies, and a declared partner of Atlantic Cluster.

Broad incumbents

• ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations): International umbrella organization for marine industry associations worldwide. Comparable as the highest-order trade association in the recreational marine sector, providing a global counterpart to Atlantic Cluster's national/regional association role.
• Grand Pavois Organisation: Organizer of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle boat show, one of Europe's largest in-water boat shows. Comparable as the major trade show platform for the nautical industry in Atlantic Cluster's home region, with which Atlantic Cluster partners for member visibility and roundtables.

Regional players

• Bretagne Cluster Naval: Regional naval industry cluster in Brittany, France. Comparable as a sister regional cluster organization supporting naval construction and services companies in an adjacent French region, providing a direct regional peer with overlapping member profiles.

Emerging players

• Nauti Pro: B2B trade show organizer dedicated to the French nautical industry, held annually in Bordeaux. Comparable as an event-driven platform that aggregates nautical industry players for B2B matchmaking and visibility, overlapping with Atlantic Cluster's trade show engagement model.
• Assises de l'Économie de la Mer: Annual flagship French maritime economy forum organized by Le Marin and Ouest-France. Comparable as a convening event/ecosystem platform that aggregates the French maritime community, cited by Atlantic Cluster as a sectoral touchpoint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/clusternautiquenavalnouvelleaquitaine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atlantic-cluster

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about atlantic cluster