A ST HELENS tech team presented their new app - that aims to bring delivery driving up-to-date - to Prince Andrew at an event for entrepreneurs.

Technology start-up DriverNet was one of three winners, chosen from 15 entrants, all of whom gave a three-minute business pitch at the Pitch@Palace event.

DriverNet’s founder, Ant Chisnall, from Eccleston, who runs DriverNet alongside Emma McNally, made the speech.

As a winner, DriverNet have secured a place at a Pitch@Palace boot camp, where they will receive support and guidance on how to develop and hone their pitch, as well as support with investment and strategic guidance.

Based in University Centre St Helens, in Water Street, DriverNet has also secured £100,000 of funding from Innovate UK, the Government’s innovation agency.

According to Ant, DriverNet digitises the antiquated processes that still exist in logistics operations by providing drivers with three services in one app - precision navigation, live customer alerts and information on delivery locations.

Ant said: "These services combine to remove many of the problems faced during deliveries - from locating the right address, blocked access, finding the correct entrance or a place to park, queuing up or waiting for customers.

"The end result is that deliveries become more efficient and environment friendly, whilst improving driver and customer experiences. The android app is accessible to any driver regardless of who their employer is."

It is thought the app could save up to 30p per minute in wages and fuel costs, and 0.23kg of CO2 emissions per minute of parking.

Ant started out in deliveries for a local carrier in 2000 before progressing to site manager and moving on to IT systems and customer facing roles for clients such as M&S, BP and Starbucks.

Ant added: “Logistics is often referred to as fragmented and behind the scenes; there’s still a huge amount of paperwork, print-outs, posters, phone calls, emails, verbal updates, briefs and queues to get through on a day-to-day basis.

“Most people now own a smartphone, but drivers still don’t know precisely where they’re going, and customers don’t know exactly when they’re arriving. DriverNet removes all this uncertainty."

A prototype for the app was trialled in May and a further trial is planned for autumn.

Ant said: "The company is growing from strength to strength after receiving its third innovation award in four months. This has led to the creation of two full-time positions, and the team will expand to six from August."

To download the app go to driver-net.com.