Impact

In the summer of 2021, the University of Brighton (Lead Partner), the University of Sussex (Delivery Partner) West Sussex County Council (Strategic Partner) and the West Sussex District and Borough Councils (funding providers), joined forces to create the Research and Innovation in Sussex Excellence (RISE) project.

Responding directly to gaps identified in the West Sussex Growth Plan, RISE was designed to provide robust innovation and growth support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) addressing economic challenges facing these businesses. By providing fully subsidised and direct access to the wealth of specialist academic expertise available at the universities of Brighton and Sussex, and access to a range of bespoke innovation programmes, the RISE project has been able to make a positive contribution to the local business community and economic wellbeing of our region.

The RISE team has supported over 200 SMEs and provided upwards of 2,300 hours of support through its five programme streams, contributing to the creation of at least 15 new jobs*, stimulating £400,000 of further investment in research and development and enabling the creation of at least 48 new to the company* or 40 new to the market products*.

*As per summative assessment[s] results 2023

University of Brighton – Lead Partner

At the University of Brighton, we’re passionate about our research and knowledge exchange, which enriches our teaching, cultivates partnerships and is recognised for producing significant societal and economic impact. Fresh thinking, interdisciplinary research, and collaborative partnerships with industry, Higher Education institutions, and communities enable us to bring expertise from different fields to address society’s most pressing issues.

By aligning our research with local sector strengths and growth areas and leveraging inward investment to fix global challenges, we apply and put that knowledge to work.

We focus on real-world issues and make concrete changes in our communities to improve the quality of life regionally.

We play a leading role in developing the regional innovation ecosystem –working with economic and business leaders to support innovation and skills-led growth. Our regional programmes provide structured and targeted routes to apply our research-informed expertise collaboratively to address business challenges, contributing to specific local needs and supporting the social and economic health of the Greater Brighton area and beyond.

www.brighton.ac.uk/business

University of Sussex - Delivery Partner

The University of Sussex champions challenging, creative and innovative knowledge exchange that contributes to bringing about a sustainable, socially just world.

Our collaborations with businesses, entrepreneurs and community organisations are creating new knowledge and innovative solutions to real-world problems. Our research, consultancy, technology and training mean we’re helping all kinds of people and organisations to achieve their goals.

We are committed to our role as an anchor institution that stimulates and engages with innovation across our region offering inspiring and creative ways to address local, national and global issues. www.sussex.ac.uk/collaborate

Our approach is for new knowledge to be co-created for mutual value with our partners supporting productive and creative collaborations that bring about meaningful, impactful and sustainable outcomes for society, the economy and the environment.

We work intensively with regional partners to ensure that our knowledge and research expertise benefits business growth, supports local need and builds a better world for us all.