We’ve been catapulted into one of the most innovative periods of the 21st century, with developments such as the emergence of the metaverse, the growth in popularity of blockchain, and NFTs digitising ownership – and all this taking place in the midst of a global pandemic.

You would think during this period of uncertainty, that budding founders would respond with a cautious approach to launching from the spark of ideation, but the opposite has occurred. It’s estimated that over 770,000 businesses were created in 2020, signalling the rise of the entrepreneurial spirit in a way we’ve never seen before, inspiring many to view our world through a new lens. A lens that redefines more than just how we communicate, but how we can work together to innovate across industries.

Ultimately, as we progress along this path of innovation, it’s imperative that we reimagine the power of collaboration. BRITE (Brighton Research Innovation Technology Exchange) has created a forward-thinking, community-led ecosystem to nurture this very pursuit. Designed to support individual founders as well as established businesses, the BRITE project is led by a highly experienced team from Plus X Innovation Hubs and the University of Brighton.

When it comes to collaboration, it’s more than simply pinpointing the perfect product/audience fit for your business, it’s about implementing innovation, and know-how to promote and sustain growth. 

How is BRITE reimagining collaboration?

Collaborating with another business, especially within the same industry, hasn’t always been a welcomed approach, but a powerful shift is happening. Founders are now more comfortable to share inside data and software with competitors or key partners – with the intent to develop fresher perspectives, pinpoint issues or uncover opportunities. But, the opportunity to offer more value to their customer base has meant that the founders of today are taking collaboration and transparency to another level.

Let’s look at the fintech industry for instance, we have companies like Monzo and Yapily opening up their application programming interface (API) to allow developers to utilise and build on top of their infrastructure, passing the intelligence forward and opening up the doors to invent far more innovative leaps in open banking.

Now, take that opportunity an open API may provide to both an early-stage and a seasoned fintech company and add access to cutting-edge research along with 360 degree support within a community of pioneers, and you’ve got BRITE. Within this dynamic ecosystem programmes have been designed to enable companies to access new, external expertise. BRITE provides the insight, tools and space to develop impactful strategies, to innovate, to take raw ideas and create a working product, to tackle challenges and find new solutions. Fostering a hub for creative minds, BRITE has given space for disruptors like Make Real, MarinaTex, Gusto, 3AI, Cast Iron CAD to name a few. 

Identifying the innovative solutions that are possible when businesses tap into the power of collaboration, BRITE has set about ensuring that both solo founders and growing teams have access to the latest thinking, the tools and environment to impact their industries. If you’re based in Brighton or willing to make the move, here are the transformative programmes built with ingenuity at their core, available as part of BRITE and currently open for applications:

1. Programme 1: INSPIRE

A unique open innovation programme  offering the opportunity to work 1-1 with a coach using the INSPIRE platform to develop a bespoke action plan and identify and create the partnerships you need to power growth.
2. Programme 2: Access to Expertise

Running until September 2022, the Access to Expertise programme provides businesses with bespoke solutions to optimise performance, create competitive advantage and turbocharge innovation projects by providing access to fully-funded academic expertise.

With new programmes TBC this summer. 

Launched in 2020, the BRITE innovation project is funded by a £5.5 million grant from the European Regional Development Fund. With a community of over 60 businesses, joining the BRITE project provides the opportunity to propel growth, access collaborative opportunities within a community led environment and increase your knowledge. All this and more are at your fingertips if you are ready to:

• Learn how innovation practises can boost your business

• Collaborate with other businesses, whilst accessing the space and tools needed to facilitate growth

• Increase customer base

• Increase revenue and reduce costs

• Explore new opportunities and markets

Now, the only thing you need to ask yourself is how can you take advantage of what BRITE has to offer? Find out more, and details on how to apply, here.