Using mealworms to turn food waste into pet food, VR to understand pain, and old e-bike batteries to power speakers: Meet Brighton’s new innovators
Last night (4.11.21) local business leaders, researchers and policymakers met to mark the achievements of BRITE (Brighton Research Innovation Technology Exchange) a year since its launch.
Led by Plus X Brighton innovation hub in Moulsecoomb, in partnership with the University of Brighton, BRITE is bringing £10.5m of support to Sussex-based small and medium enterprises over three years. It is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and property regeneration specialists, U+I plc. Despite being launched during the pandemic, BRITE has provided more than 700 hours of support to 64 innovative businesses, helping them conduct research and development by collaborating with university researchers and entering new markets.
At last night’s event attendees celebrated the achievements of BRITE businesses, met their teams, and took part in interactive demos from:
• 3AI, creators of AI tool, ALBA, an intelligence system aiming to create democratic investment opportunities
• Bare Cacao, a caffeine-free and mineral rich alternative to coffee
• Beobia, an eco-pod business that uses insects to turn food waste into plant fertiliser and sustainable pet food, winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards 2021
• Hatsumi, a healthcare VR experience improving patient-doctor communication through better understanding of pain
• Gomi, creators of portable speaker made from plastic bags and powered by repurposed e-bike batteries
• Make Real, award-winning immersive learning experiences through AI
• MarinaTex, creators of a home compostable alternative to plastic film made from fish algae
• Naurt, hyper-accurate GPS technology cited by Forbes as one-to-watch
• Percept Imagery alternative reality that allow customers to digitally try on new clothes
• Votch sustainable vegan watch brand which plants a tree in Madagascar for every purchase
Jack Maddalena, CEO and co-founder of BRITE business Naurt said: “When we joined in 2020, it was just Nicolas (Naurt’s co-founder) and I. Since then we’ve secured 500k in funding, grown to a team of 12 people, and moved into our own studio space in the Plus X building. Being a member of BRITE has been a key factor in our success so far – the collaboration with all involved in the programme has been, and will continue to be a real gift for our business.”
Samantha Harland, BRITE Programme Manager said: “Despite the trials of the pandemic, it’s been inspiring to see the entrepreneurship that businesses on the BRITE programme have committed to. The collaboration we’ve seen in the Plus X building has led to new partnerships with results ranging from the weird and wonderful, to cutting-edge technology. Brighton’s proving to be a real hub for innovation in the UK.”
Judith Badger, Head of Project for the University of Brighton said: “It’s been wonderful to see our innovation programmes be put to use in such a variety of creative and inspirational ways at this critical time. The University has an established history of working with businesses and we’re convinced that through the BRITE project, a dynamic partnership between the University and Plus X, businesses will be able to continue to embrace the opportunity to keep innovating and growing.”
Plus X Brighton is an innovation hub, designed to help businesses and communities prosper through growth and innovation support, inspiring community collaboration and positive social impact.
Applications are now open for the BRITE programme. More details on how to apply here: https://www.briteinnovation.co.uk/brite-programmes