Sussex businesses are continuing to demonstrate their strength in innovation, investment and growth, with major funding successes, new business support programmes and international research breakthroughs highlighting the region’s economic momentum.
Sussex Innovation has welcomed a new cohort of ambitious businesses onto its Scale Up East Sussex programme, providing six months of support, collaboration and leadership development to help high-growth companies accelerate their ambitions. The programme brings together some of the county’s most promising business founders and leaders and forms part of wider efforts to strengthen the regional economy and create new opportunities for innovation-led growth.
At the same time, Sussex-based organisations are gaining recognition on national and international stages.
University of Sussex spin-out Universal Quantum has announced a record-breaking $100 million Series A investment, marking the largest ever Series A funding round secured by a UK quantum computing company and one of the biggest investments in any UK university spin-out. The milestone represents a significant boost for the region’s growing reputation as a centre for deep-tech innovation and advanced research.
Meanwhile, Sussex Innovation member Heatcatcher has received national recognition after winning the Heat and Industrial Decarbonisation Project of the Year award at the EDIE Energy & Technology Awards. The winning project demonstrates how innovative engineering solutions can help industry reduce carbon emissions while improving operational efficiency.
The region’s research excellence has also been showcased on the global stage, with University of Sussex researchers joining a team selected for NASA’s Probe Mission for Far-Infrared Astrophysics (PRIMA). The mission will help scientists explore the history and evolution of the universe through observations not possible with conventional telescopes.
Alongside these achievements, Sussex businesses are being encouraged to explore new funding opportunities, leadership development programmes and industry events focused on innovation, responsible AI adoption and investment readiness. Sussex Innovation has highlighted a range of grant funding opportunities available in the coming months, helping businesses access the support needed to grow and innovate.
For more information about business support, innovation programmes and upcoming events in Sussex, visit Sussex Innovation.