Business

Published 17 August 2009

A Brighton business aid has become part of a nationwide scheme to help companies beat the recession.

Profitnet, created by the University of Brighton to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) learn from each other, is now part of a new website launched on August 13 to highlight ways universities can help employers.

The website has been set up by Universities UK, which represents the higher education sector including universities and some colleges. It will help forge collaboration with businesses and will include an interactive map to allow direct access to business contacts and areas of expertise on offer at each institution.

They include Profitnet which was set up by the University of Brighton to help SMEs work with trained university facilitators to solve common business problems.

Profitnet was the first time a university had engaged with SMEs on a regular basis to deliver benefits through knowledge transfer.

In just four years, Profinet has worked with 600 SMEs businesses across Sussex, developing robust methodology to provide quality assurance without burdening companies.

Profitnet acts as an entry point into the university and gives companies access to services and expertise, including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, student placements, consultancy and other resources.

The Universities UK website provides advice and includes successful examples of university-business collaboration such as:

• Improving leadership and management skills through university business schools
• Raising capital
• Offering advice on developing patents 
• Developing programmes to improve customer experience
  

Initially targeting 50,000 businesses, Universities UK is also launching an e-marketing campaign to promote the site. You can visit the Universities UK Standing together campaign website.

For  more information on Profitnet contact Deana Ward, Business Development Manager on 01273 876735 or email d.s.ward@brighton.ac.uk.