Shahid runs Tyseley-based Innvotek, which develops robots to carry out maintenance tasks in challenging environments.

The company’s latest invention, named Amphibian, is specifically designed to clean and inspect structures deep under the ocean, saving time, money, and reducing the need for potentially dangerous underwater work for human divers.

Equipped with powerful lights, high-definition cameras and hi-tech sensors that map corrosion and inspect joints, it also has high-powered water jets to blast off unwanted debris such as barnacles and algae.

Innvotek Ltd - the technology firm led by Shahid - is now working with Mayor Richard Parker's business advice service, Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), to secure the funding needed to scale Innvotek and get Amphibian into production.

The partnership is also supporting the mayor’s wider growth plans to create more hi-tech manufacturing jobs for local people. 

Shahid was one of the spotlight speakers at an event at BT’s offices in Birmingham, organised as part of the West Midlands Business Festival (2 to 13 February).

Shahid said: “I came to Birmingham Tech Week just after Covid and was blown away by the level of innovation and support across the West Midlands. With six universities on our doorstep, it felt like a great place to develop our technology.

“Through Business Growth West Midlands, we found a great base at Tyseley Energy Park and have been introduced to some fantastic advisers to support us with navigating the next phase of our growth plans. 

“We are also working with organisations like the Manufacturing Technology Centre on the development of our next generation platform to tackle some of the most difficult challenges on the planet.

“Being based in a landlocked city has meant we've had to think outside of the box when testing Amphibian, combining our own makeshift facilities with specialist testing such as the Offshore and Renewable Energy Catapult in Blyth.

“But we’re now moving from R&D into commercialisation, with a focus on raising investment to scale the business and create some great jobs here in the West Midlands.”

The mayor said: “This region has always backed innovators like Shahid and that’s not going to change. It’s their drive and determination that will get our economy firing on all cylinders, but they can’t do it alone.”