Partner Article

New business support programme joins academia and business

A new university-led business support programme could help to fill the gap left by the government closure of Business Link centres.

Profitnet is born from the University of Brighton and aims to ally business and academia, in an innovative new approach to business development support.

The programme facilitates group meetings between member businesses, where expertise, advice and support are shared.

A business plan can be presented, and then constructive input from the group is invited, addressing issues such as staffing, marketing, research and development and launching of products.

Following five years of operation across Sussex, the programme is now being rolled out nationally, and internationally under licence.

Statistics from programme so far show positive results, with 72% of participants saying they are more innovative in their business thinking as a result of the programme, and almost 60% of member businesses have reported increased market share.

Commenting on the success, Deana Ward, Profitnet Business Development Manger at the University of Brighton, said: “Profitnet works because people have a thirst for knowledge, inspiration and success.

“It provides an incredible resource for members: acting like a board of directors, fellow members provide constructive criticism, advice, feedback and a certain amount of checking and cajoling, keeping businesses on track and constantly innovating and developing.”

Profitnet now hope that the scheme will fill the gap in SME business development and support in the UK, left by the closure of Business Link.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .