Introducing the Profitnet Pioneers

As the year comes to an end, we reflected on an incredible year for the BRITE project. At the recent BRITE Disruptors celebration, we looked back at some of the brilliant businesses completing BRITE programmes in its first year.

Ahead of the new year, it’s now time to look ahead and shine a light on some of the exciting businesses that have joined the BRITE Profitnet programme over the past few months.

As part of the BRITE Project’s Profitnet programme, some of Greater Brighton’s most innovative entrepreneurs meet monthly to learn from each other through facilitated peer-to-peer sessions. Members develop strategies, solve challenges and hold each other accountable in a confidential and

professionally-led setting by expertise from the University of Brighton.

Over 1,300 businesses have taken part in the University’s Profitnet programme since 2004, helping them to achieve significant growth on their profit, turnover, and employment.

Applications are now open for the next intake of Profitnet businesses. If you’re a CEO or founder wanting to tackle real business challenges, sign up for a free taster session to find out if Profitnet is right for your business.

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Introducing the December 2021 Profitnet Cohort

WYSA

Blending artificial intelligence with support from mental health professions, the Wysa AI Coach is designed to help people experiencing low mood, stress, or anxiety. Users are helped to improve their emotional resilience using evidence-based cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), DBT, meditation, breathing, yoga, motivational interviewing, and micro-actions.

The app is designed for both individuals looking for support, and employers that want to provide their workforce with mental health assistance. Wysa has over 3 million users, and is ranked among the top mental health apps available worldwide.

TabTime

TabTime creates innovative products that make it easier for you and your loved ones to make their medication manageable. Products include automatic pill dispensers, pill boxes, and pill alarms – all designed to provide peace of mind that medication is taken correctly.

Each product is created to be flexible to changing medication needs. Users include those that have Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, HIV aids, TB, hypertension and other ailments that require frequent or regular medication. TabTime says, “We constantly scour the world for the very best and latest products to fulfill our customers’ needs and if we cannot find what we want ‘off the peg’, we will develop it ourselves.”

Smith & Co

Since 2019, Smith & Co has helped interior design professionals elevate their portfolio by supplying high-quality framed artwork. Smith & Co listens to clients’ requirements, then delivers a presentation of artwork 

from their extensive collections – including abstract, photography, triptychs, and groupings. They can also source bespoke artwork or commissions for clients.

The ready-to-hang artworks are designed for residential and commercial projects, as well as stocking dealers. Led by owner Solomon Smith, the company is dedicated to helping support the planet. For every piece of art sold, 12 trees are planted in association with The Ecologi Project.

Solomon Smith, founder of Smith & Co Galleries, said: “The BRITE Project’s Profitnet has allowed me to take a look into other companies that are running at a similar level to us. It’s a fantastic forum to get creative and experienced ideas to the everyday problems that we’re facing as a business. That experience that you can tap into is absolutely invaluable.”

Sal Jefferies

As well as helping keep Plus X Brighton members happy and relaxed in weekly breathwork and yoga workshops, Sal Jefferies provides coaching, group training, and yoga classes focused on helping those who are stressed, uncertain about their future, and in need of support.

Through mindset, mood, and movement training, Sal helps people feel calm, confident and strong, and able to create innovative solutions to tackle changes in both work and life.

With coaching, he helps overcome challenges including imposter syndrome and confidence in pricing. He also provides leadership training to help business owners and senior teams lead during stressful and uncertain times.

Search Seven

Digital marketing agency Search Seven specialises in paid media, SEO, and conversion rate optimisation. They provide services for sectors including education, charity, food and drink, e-commerce, and travel. The award-winning agency is regularly recognised as a leading company in Brighton and Sussex business awards.

Search Seven aims to ‘make a difference’ with everything they do – from the measurable work they do with clients, through to extensive fundraising each year. Each year the company pledges 7% of profits to local charities and community projects. The team recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary, and set themselves the ambitious target of raising £77,000 over their 10th year.

Plug-In Media

Plug-In Media is a multi-BAFTA-winning digital production studio. Led by Managing Directory Juliet Tzabar, the studio creates entertainment for young audiences. They create both interactive entertainment and linear TV content, knowing that today’s young audiences access content across multiple screens and formats – including games, apps, websites, VR, AR, video, and broadcast animation.

Their blended business model combines original IP development and production with a digital agency providing interactive development and animation services. Clients include the BBC, Channel 4, Nickelodeon, The British Museum, and CBeebies.

Major Digital

Major is a Brighton-based branding, design and digital creative agency. They focus on creating customised solutions for seamless customer experiences that transform into long-lasting results for clients.

Services include UX research and insights, creative branding and design, and technical web development. They have a dedicated team of coders, technologists, designers and project managers eager to help clients develop a strategy with impact.

Diamond Dental

Dental recruitment specialists, Diamond Dental Staff, provides professional services to the dental world. They recruit for the full dental team, from receptions up to specialist dentists.

As well as recruitment, they provide consultancy services that help principal dentists and business owners with marketing, branding and content, business development, recruitment, HR and staff training, and more. They have also created the DDDS Academy, a tailored set of training courses for dental practices to use to level up their staff’s knowledge.

Founded in 2018 by Emma Anastasi, Diamond Dental Staff has a growing community of nearly 4,000 members. The team’s passions include sustainability, personal and professional development, and long-term solutions.

Cast Iron CAD

With over 20 years’ experience helping companies with design and product development, Cast Iron CAD design, engineer, and manufacture products to solve the business problems of SMEs.

They take a flexible and innovative approach to create breakthrough products and intellectual property. Innovation is at the heart of everything they do, including providing innovation consulting to transform clients’ ideas into well-defined design challenges.

Cast Iron CAD prides itself on being able to find a solution to almost any kind of problem – big or small. They work with all industrial manufacturing techniques, including polymer engineering, metalwork, ceramics, and woodworking.

Arc Fab Sussex

Arc Fab Sussex is a leading structural steel fabricator that operates throughout Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. They work with construction companies, builders, and domestic private clients from design and fabrication through to delivery and installation.

Previous projects include reconstructing the hull of a 1926 Thames fireboat; creating shade structures; and supporting the creations of artist and sculptor Will Nash. Their skilled and experienced team is praised for their attention to detail and high-quality creations.

Acies

Acies provides cleaning and support services to businesses across Brighton and Hove. They provide cleaning services for offices, retail spaces, and hospitality businesses.

They believe that a messy workplace can put off customers, impact productivity, and affect employee morale. Each of their dedicated supervisors (or, ninjas!) works through a personalised checklist of tasks for each business, and provide GPS tracking to keep working hours transparent.

Managing Director George Buko has built the business on forward-thinking values – leadership, teamwork, efficiency, growth, relationships, and flow. Through the power of positivity, they aim to freshen up an old industry – making them a perfect candidate for Profitnet!

To apply and find out more about the fully funded BRITE business innovation and growth programmes available at Plus X Brighton, visit briteinnovation.co.uk.

The BRITE project is receiving up to £5m of funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.