Dozens of companies have benefited from a scheme which brings universities and business together.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), in collaboration with the University of Brighton, provides up to two-thirds of funding for a recent graduate to work full time for up to two years, with the support of a university specialist.

The government-funded scheme has helped businesses increase their net profit by an average of £550,000, according to the latest figures.

Companies to take part include Graduate Recruitment Bureau (Brighton), a Class of Their Own (Hove), Travel Places (Worthing), Ceres Power (Horsham), Colony101 (Eastbourne), St Wilfrids Hospice (Eastbourne), HiTek Power (Littlehampton) and Plastica (St Leonards).

Recent examples include a marketing project for Parafix Tapes and Conversions in Lancing which is worth £10 million and employs 100 people.

Managing director Mike Punter said they had seen a “dramatic change” in productivity as a result.

He said: “We were really good at making things and selling them, but we didn’t have a clear view of where we wanted to be or how we were going to get there.

“As a result of the KTP we now really understand our customers’ needs across 22 different countries, know exactly which markets we want to focus on, and where the high-growth potential lies.”

He said his company was “punching above its weight”.

Peter Adlington, managing director of St Leonards manufacturing company Plastipack, has run a series of KTP projects with the university to develop and test new and innovative products including intelligent coverings for swimming pools and reservoirs.

Peter said: “Innovation is the key to survival and you don’t do it alone.”

University of Brighton KTP manager Shona Campbell said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are designed mainly for small or medium-sized businesses, and have become even more accessible than in previous years, as they are now available for a range of projects for companies in any sector.”

The University of Brighton has now run almost 100 KTPs on projects as diverse as retail supply systems and cloud-based computing platforms.

For more information email Dr Shona Campbell on s.e.campbell@brighton.ac.uk or phone 01273 642435.