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Brighton Research Innovation Technology Exchange

Working to overcome difficulties drives businesses to become more creative and innovative than ever before. Using research-based insights to strengthen entrepreneurship, undertake effective innovation management and build high-performing, agile organisations has proven to be an effective approach. 

Eligible SMEs can now gain access to leading innovation research, expertise and support in developing new skills and in planning the implementation of an open innovation strategy through the BRITE programme, which launched in 2020.

ERDF and HM Gov logos

BRITE is for eligible* SMEs that want to:

  • Increase revenue and reduce costs
  • Introduce new or improved processes, products and services
  • Explore new markets and generate new customers
  • Collaborate with other business and access facilities to bring their employees, supply chain or business clients together - hosted within a seven-storey innovation hub.
BRITE project logo
When I joined BRITE, I was under the impression that innovation equals product. The University of Brighton’s INSPIRE programme helped me to realise that innovation can also be a business model or a service. Now we have an operational service and a solution-based business with major growth plans.

Noel Sesto, Director, Control Freq.

The future's BRITE

The BRITE programme has been designed to provide SMEs with access to innovation research and development expertise and support, a modern innovation hub, and access to specialist facilities to support business growth. 

In addition to the pathway elements below, BRITE members also have access to:

Innovation expertise

Knowledge is a key driver of innovation, and as generators of new knowledge and leaders in innovation research, we are well equipped to support business growth through open innovation.

Innovation hub

Mix with other innovators at the Plus X Brighton hub, a seven-storey, modern dedicated space for businesses wishing to share ideas and collaborate. 

Specialist facilities

Access a range of research and development facilities, including high spec machinery, such as precision CNC milling machines, laser cutters, UX test suites, electronics laboratory, image, video and podcast studios.

Access specialist design teams to assist with prototype build and new product development.

Business innovation team

Benefit from professional innovation support, including:

  • Mentoring, arranged around you to avoid interrupting your working day
  • Regular check-ins providing support and guidance on programme progress and management
  • Advice and training on partnerships
  • Advice on how to access funding, and direct access to the university's Enterprise Team.

The programmes

In addition to the above, the BRITE programme offers a range of bespoke elements that have been carefully created to suit a range of business needs at varying stages of innovation. 

Access University Expertise

Variable, typically 3-6 month projects

Connect with our academic experts, to help you to develop bespoke innovative solutions for the specific challenges faced by your business. 

Through a rolling programme of funding calls for one-to-one SME R&D projects we can help you:

  • source leading academic expertise to support the development of an area in your business, with agreed outputs
  • access additional R&D funding for longer more complex projects
  • receive expert strategic advice to support a new or improved product or service in areas such as: brand development, prototype development, product/service testing and/or design, strategy development or market assessment.

 

Potential outcomes for business

  • Introduction of new or improved processes, products and services
  • Increased revenue
  • Reduced costs

Explore the programme

Working with the university helped us to expand our original remit and shape a coherent project. Our collaboration has been characterised by academic rigour, a clear commitment to our commercial goals and good humour that has made the project tremendous fun!

Product Foundry

Seven week programme 

This programme will support you in the development of physical products through hands-on prototyping. Each week, participants develop products with a range of digital fabrication tools working with an expert team to build effective product prototypes.

The programme consists of:

  • Weekly sessions of 4 hours running one morning a week, delivered by product design experts from Plus X and the University of Brighton, covering core prototyping and design activities for new product development including innovations in manufacturing, distribution or sustainability‍‍
  • access to the Plus X Brighton workshop outside of structured sessions to work on your product - no membership to Plus X or fee required
  • product development support from university product design and workshop experts.

Potential outcomes for business

  • Development of an existing or new product
  • Creation of product prototypes ready testing

Explore the programme

 

The workshop is a great place to work, not just for the facilities: the team and other workshop users means that it is an inspiring and creative place, a great environment to develop prototypes, and get deep into production.

Pioneers

Intensive two day programme - next cohort starting in November 2022

This programme supports and develops business owners and leaders in the Coast to Capital region to create positive impact with industry partners.

The programme consists of:

  • 12 hours of support over 2 days from state-of-the-art innovation hub, Plus X Brighton 
  • Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators 
  • Tap into a network of experts and mentors to support challenges

No Plus X membership or fee is required for this programme. 

Potential outcomes for business

  • IP advice and best practice
  • Improved sustainability and CSR
  • Advice, inspiration and support to develop, launch or scale a product or service

Explore the programme

INSPIRE

Five month programme - programme completed.

This unique programme has been created using world leading innovation research, and has been informed by and developed with SMEs, enabling them to:

  • Identify partners with the best strategic fit for innovation projects
  • Develop knowledge of innovation business concepts, and skills in the management of open innovation
  • Receive one-to-one coaching support to develop and deliver a bespoke innovation action plan
  • Create, apply and track sustainable innovation practices within the business using unique tools
  • Explore feasibility and prototyping stages of development of new technologies and products, in preparation for commercialisation
  • Develop new, or significantly improved, processes and/or products (goods or services)
  • Re-engage with innovation projects not yet complete, scaled back, or abandoned
  • Explore new and significantly improved forms of organisation, business structures or practices, and marketing strategies and concepts.

Potential outcomes for business

  • Identify partners with the best strategic fit for innovation projects
  • Develop new skills and approaches to professionally manage innovation
  • Create a tailored innovation action plan
  • Increase revenue
  • Reduce costs
  • Introduce new or improved processes, products and services
  • Generate new customers
  • Explore new markets
  • Use of innovation hub and access to facilities to bring employees, supply chain or business clients together.

Find out more about the programme

Explore INSPIRE

The INSPIRE tool is fantastically useful and user-friendly.

Profitnet

12 month programme - programme completed.

Profitnet is a peer-to-peer programme, created by innovation expertise at the University of Brighton, designed to enable organisations to learn from each other through expertly facilitated confidential group sessions.

To date, over 1,300 businesses have taken part in Profitnet, helping businesses achieve a significant impact on their profit, turnover and employment.

Profitnet's strength comes from the group's ability to tap into the business expertise within it. Member led and expertly facilitated - every meeting focuses on real business challenges.

The programme consists of 12 monthly meetings which include:

  • Development of company strategy
  • Peer-to-peer action learning sets dealing with real day-to-day challenges
  • Using Action Learning to problem solve business challenges 
  • Opportunity to reflect, plan and commit to an action plan - time to work on your business, not in it
  • Support to enable business growth and development
  • Access to university resources, including internships, student placements, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and training and development.

Profitnet is just like having your own board of non-executive directors. You can discuss whatever you want - over the years the input I’ve had has been absolutely vital as a sounding board for plans, ideas and challenges.

Potential outcomes for business

  • Increase productivity growth
  • Increase revenue and reduce costs
  • Introduce new or improved processes, products and services
  • Generate new customers and explore new markets
  • Use of innovation hub and access to facilities to bring employees, supply chain or business clients together.

Find out more about Profitnet

I have gained so much from attending Profitnet over the past two years and I’m now in a very different position with the business. I couldn’t have got here without all the support.

Masterclasses

Masterclass workshops - programme completed.

A series of masterclasses are run throughout the year covering a range of topics, designed to support SMEs in their innovation journey. Masterclasses are develop by the University of Brighton and Plus X Brighton, and all focus on innovation.

You'll get to learn from thought leaders in your field, ask experts your questions, and hear about real-life success stories from other businesses.

Potential outcomes for business

  • Access to a range of innovation specialists
  • Intensive, deep dive into innovation methods to help recovery
  • Take away tools that you can implement straight away.

Find out more about masterclassesl

Accessing the programmes

Applications to join BRITE programmes are now open - SMEs will need to have an appetite for growth and meet eligibility criteria in order to qualify.

As part of INSPIRE, Profitnet and Access University Expertise pathways, successful applicants will take part in a unique diagnostic consultation to assess their business needs. Led by specialist innovation teams, this diagnostic process will result in a tailored programme of support.

Talk to us: submit your enquiry

* In order to be part of the BRITE programme, business are required to be a member of Plus X Brighton where memberships start from £150 per month for unlimited co-working access, £250 per month for resident desk access, and £350 per person per month for private studios - for more information visit: membership with Plus X Brighton.

The Brighton Research Innovation Technology Exchange (BRITE) is a business innovation programme for ambitious and established businesses led by Plus X Brighton, in partnership with the University of Brighton, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. 

The project is receiving up to £5m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  

BRITE programme funder logos
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