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www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 27well as most of the key players in the Norwegian offshore and subsea sec- tors. Statoil, Aker Solutions, FMC, Coast Centre Base and the research organization SINTEF Petroleum Research are all included on the board, which is led by Chair Mr. Tove Ormevik, OIM at Skarv FPSO for BP. The cluster benefits from the presence of the many large oil and gas companies in the Bergen area. Companies like Aker Solutions, FMC, Statoil and DNV have a major presence here, alongside local compa- nies with international reach such as Framo Engineering and DOF Subsea. Many of these companies are today expanding their presence and facili- ties in and around Bergen. The financial infusion that comeswith being named an NCE has alsohelped the cluster to develop: the cluster organization receives 5 million NOK per year ($900,000 US) from the Norwegian government, for 12 years. NCE Subsea also benefits from project funding to supplement its operating budget.Thanks to this support from the Norwegian government and addi- tional contributions by members, the cluster organization itself is not prof- it-driven. But it is very clearly busi- ness-driven, and focussed on creating economic opportunities for members and partners. Cluster General Manager Trond Olsen says that when considering a new activity, the cluster executives ask themselves a key question: ?can some- body make money on this activity, in the short or long term?? Only proj- ects with clear business outcomes forcluster members are approved. The most popular of these have included networking events in a fast- paced ?speed dating? style which introduces cluster members to one another. Small companies are able to connect to key contacts in largerenterprises, and large enterprises are introduced to companies and tech- nology concepts that they otherwise might never have discovered. Group stands at major international trade shows and conferences allow smaller companies to access opportu- nities that would otherwise be closed to them. The cluster also has a man- date to support the creation of new businesses. Cluster staff can assiststart-up companies with business plan development and help them access R&D funding. PURPOSE BUILT CABLES FOR DEMANDING APPLICATIONS ?Owned and operated by the same management since 1957, SOUTH BAY CABLEhas designed and manufactured over 60,000 specialty cables. We look forward to your next challenge! Idyllwild, CA 92549 USA ? Ph: (951) 659-2183 ? Fax: (951) 659-3958 [email protected] ? http://www.southbaycable.com MTR#1 (18-33):MTR Layouts 1/3/2012 10:18 AM Page 27