The University of Portsmouth has helped three local businesses secure government funding to develop products and services that will create five new jobs locally.

By working with the University, Xyratex, STS Defence and Tendercare were able to secure over £600,000 of knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) funding.

KTPs help businesses work with experts from universities to improve their competitiveness and productivity by tapping into the knowledge, technology and skills of universities.

At the University of Portsmouth the Institute of Industrial Research and the department for Mechanical and Design Engineering experts will deliver the projects in the areas of digital electronics, artificial intelligence and materials and manufacturing.

These KTP successes build on the university¿s reputation as an institution committed to helping businesses succeed. Over the past three years the university has worked with businesses on 34 similar programmes.

Dave Milward, Director of Skills and Technical Vitality at Xyratex, said: 'Our previous and ongoing work with the university and its proven expertise in this field is what attracted us to enter into this working collaboration.'

A recent government report stated that for every £1million invested in KTP the benefits to UK business amounted to £3.5million in pre-tax profits, securing 34 genuine new jobs and further training for 374 people.

These awards will enable five graduates to gain employment with industry in the vital sectors of science and technology, and in the process help companies improve their ability to export to overseas markets.

Businesses can find out more about how they can work with the university and grow their business by contacting Purple Door on 023-9284-4444, by email, purpledoor@port.ac.uk or by visiting www.port.ac.uk/purpledoor

KTP is funded primarily by the Technology Strategy Board.