Creative Economy as a new cluster to professionalize the industry itself and strengthen Technology Parks

Technology Parks, according to IASP definition, are habitats that have as objective to increase the richness of the environment by promoting a culture of innovation and competitiveness. For this purpose, it ensures the flow of knowledge and technology in the most different market sectors. In this context, Porto Digital views the IT industry as a tool to serve other productive chains and in 2010 expanded its scope and opened a second cluster in the park, the Creative Economy. Thus, Porto Digital became a park with more opportunities, sustainability and competitiveness. At the same time, by promoting this cross-fertilization among sectors, the park contributes to a greater professionalization of Creative Economy. This paper shows the history and motivations that stimulate Porto Digital to expand its scope, how it adapted itself to enlarge its scope and how it is contributing to the professionalization and development of this new industry.