Benefits of licensing

Profitnet has expanded to include an international network delivered under license since 2008.

In the Republic of Ireland, Profitnet has been run with great success by the Donegal County Enteprise Board . The programme initially included 77 member businesses in 5 groups, with a new cohort of 83 members currently participating in the programme.

Profitnet is now available to organisations that wish to engage with, and support, the business community. The licensee has the choice of offering the programme free to members, part-subsidised, or a full-cost membership model over time. As relationships are fostered and grow through the programme, licensees can expect to see a return on their investment in a variety of ways.

 “Profitnet is the most successful business support programme the Board has ever run. It is the only model that makes harnessing innovation real and achievable for small and medium sized businesses. In the light of Ireland’s current crisis, we want to build on the benefits the programme has already delivered and expand it – helping our small and medium enterprises to put a structure on their plans for improved efficiency and innovation.”

Profitnet License Partner

Michael Tunney, Director, Donegal Enterprise Board Ireland

Benefits for licensees:

• A sophisticated vehicle for advanced innovation support for small and medium-sized enterprises

• A means of assisting businesses to manage their risk

• Helps build important, trusted relationships between the licensee and the business community

• Gives the licensee a greater understanding of the needs of businesses and their current challenges

• Opportunity to leverage the benefits of association with the University of Brighton brand

For licensees in the university sector:

• Profitnet supports HEIF strategies by enhancing and generating SME knowledge exchange and income opportunities through;

• Research funding bids
• Consultancy
• Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTPs)
• Student placements, projects and internships
• Continued Professional Development (CPD)
• Cross University collaboration and partnerships
• Curriculum development

• Profitnet supports local economic development and enterprise strategies, can play a key initiative within Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs), can form part of funding bids, such as the Regional Growth Funds and through the Profitnet network collaboratively apply for EU funding opportunities.

• Profitnet positions the University in the heart of a business community, and enables it to proactively respond with services to meet current business needs, innovation and sustainability issues.

For the Profitnet members:

• Peer-to-peer learning and collaboration

• Encouragement and support to innovate products, services and practices

• Sharing of ideas, knowledge and expertise

• Improves financial performance

• Improves entrepreneurial skills

• Builds a strong support network

A typical license package could include:

A Profitnet Licensing package is tailored to the licensee's specific requirements; with the core package including all the necessary support to deliver a successful Profitnet programme, and could include;