The recruitment process is now underway for the fourth instalment of Transport for Wales’ (TfW) leading rail dedicated Lab innovation programme.
The Lab programme is a pioneering 12-week accelerator programme which offers the opportunity for business innovators to develop ideas to improve rails users’ experiences.
Three successful schemes have already been completed since January 2020 with recruitment starting for a fourth group of tech start-ups across Wales and the UK.
The chosen start-ups will work alongside TfW receiving dedicated monitoring from business experts to develop their products and innovations.
This will be geared towards a final demonstration day where start-ups will pitch their ideas to leading TfW decision-makers.
Winners will be awarded funds to develop their products and help towards the future development of the railways.
Michael Davies, TfW’s Insight and Innovation Manager elaborated on the Lab programme.
Mr Davies said: “The standard of companies pitching during the previous three rounds of recruitment has been incredibly high.
“We’re really looking forward what the latest group of tech innovators will offer.
“The start-ups are set questions which reflect some of the real-world challenges we face around infrastructure, safety, and security.
“[The start-ups will also be] looking at fresh ways of tackling one of the biggest challenges public transport has faced in recent times: how we encourage people to choose public transport in the future.
“We’re looking forward to getting started.”
The Lab programme will be delivered remotely allowing start-ups to participate online.
TfW have already helped over 30 promising start-ups develop their ideas through the first three cohorts of the Lab programme.
Applications for the fourth cohort of the Lab innovation programme can be made at: https://www.f6s.com/lab-by-transport-for-wales-cohort-4/.
