VEHOGROUP - a Pembrokeshire technology company based at the Bridge Innovation Centre in Pembroke Dock - has been shortlisted in a Dragons Den-style event.

The competition offers Welsh innovators the opportunity to bid for funding to help them come up with new solutions to some of the challenges facing the public sector in Wales.

This year the event will support the aspirations of Unipart Rail for the introduction of innovative technology within the rail sector.

Unipart Rail is a leading innovator within the rail industry and has a wealth of industry contacts to develop trial, test and refine new products and concepts through to commercial propositions.

Unipart Rail’s experience has been used to benefit entrepreneurs new to the rail sector by providing valuable industry feedback and market access to a rapidly expanding business sector.

The scheme is backed by over £3 million Welsh Government funding and run in collaboration with Innovate UK and the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).

SBRI was launched in Wales in 2013 offering businesses the opportunity to bid for research and development funding to progress technology-driven solutions for specific challenges facing the public sector.

VehoGroup’s product, VehoCheck has made it to the competition’s shortlist following the submission of a product overview and its perceived use and benefits to the rail industry.

VehoCheck ensures vehicle compliance by simplifying defect recording and management. It allows full visibility on drivers' vehicle checks being conducted and a complete audit trail of defect recording through to workshop repair.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - which regulates the transportation sector in the UK - performed 58,909 vehicle checks in 2015 resulting in 20,354 prohibitions. The cost for non-compliant companies is significant.

Saundersfoot-based VehoGroup Director Lukas Gamble said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted to meet senior members of the Unipart’s rail team and to be given the opportunity to showcase our product.

“The possibility of becoming part of Unipart rail’s supply chain is a very exciting prospect.”