The university鈥檚 involvement with a series of innovation workshops, events and collaborations has delivered significant economic and environmental benefits
20 June 2025
The University of Brighton’s involvement with a series of innovation workshops, events and collaborations has delivered significant economic and environmental benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Adur and Worthing, through targeted innovation and sustainability support.
Delivered as part of the Adur and Worthing Business Support Programme, the University of Brighton’s Innovation strand and Clean Growth UK’s Sustainability strand supported over 170 businesses collectively, with strong outcomes across product development, market access, technology adoption, and carbon reduction.
The Innovation strand engaged 97 SMEs, delivered training to 102 individuals, and supported 53 innovation grants. More than 40 businesses adopted new technologies and 28 developed new products or services. A total of 31 businesses accessed new markets via a range of support, including one-to-one innovation clinics, workshops, academic collaborations, and innovation vouchers.
Workshops - led by industry experts such as Paul Levy of The University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law - were praised by participants as ‘inspiring’ and ‘practical’, with standout sessions including STEPS to Innovation and Strategy on a Page. Notable success stories include Inspire You’s new research, Scent Retail’s product innovation, and Mr Crisp’s digital transformation.
Clean Growth UK’s Sustainability strand also exceeded expectations, supporting 74 SMEs, delivering 58 training places, and co-developing 41 decarbonisation plans. The programme surpassed its carbon reduction target by 250%, saving 24.86 tonnes of CO鈧俥.
Fourteen companies implemented new low-carbon practices, while five progressed to sustainability-focused R&D. Attendees described the workshops as being ‘inspiring and full of actionable ideas’, and digital engagement extended the reach of the programme with an additional 27 businesses accessing content online.
Feedback across both programmes emphasised the practical, hands-on nature of the training and the value of tailored expert support. The combined initiatives have built a legacy of enhanced innovation capability, sustainability, and business confidence in the area.
These results demonstrate the University of Brighton’s continued commitment to collaborative knowledge exchange and its role in delivering real-world impacts for the regional economy and local communities.
TEF Silver awarded for the quality of our teaching and student outcomes
We are in the top 4.3% of institutions globally, Center for World University Rankings 2025
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