This document discusses the role of international cluster cooperation in increasing regional prosperity. It begins with the speaker providing their background managing IT and location-based service clusters. It then shows data on the low percentage of European SMEs that export, compared to US and Chinese SMEs. Additional data and studies demonstrate the relationship between regional cluster strength and increased patenting and innovation. The document argues that the nature of innovation is changing and becoming more complex, fast-paced, and connected across global markets and value chains. Therefore, clusters need to change and consider international cooperation and a global perspective in order to truly increase prosperity through innovation.