Abstract:Based on the innovation diffusion theory, the paper analyzes how the “innovation agents” groups in crowdfunding backers can use the cluster formation to help entrepreneurs to achieve the new products diffusion process from early adopters to early majority in crowdfunding platform, which is the 2-layer coupling network composed of online network and offline network.A 2-layer network O_SCI$_2$R model is established based on epidemic models, and simulations are conducted using Matlab to study the impact of the number and the influence power of “innovation agents” on innovation diffusion across online and offline, the impact of “innovation agents” on innovation diffusion within clusters, and the impact of clusters on innovation diffusion across online and offline.The research results include:(1) the more “innovation agents” participate in crowdfunding, the faster the innovation diffusion is, (2) the greater influence power the innovation agent processes, the faster the innovation diffusion spreads online and offline, (3) the “innovation agents” not only promote the innovation diffusion within the clusters, but also expand the innovation diffusion between clusters, and (4) clusters formed around the “innovation agents” can promote the innovation diffusion in the early stage and for a short term, but are not determinants for innovation diffusion over the long term.