A START-UP business which has developed a new app is bidding for a share of £1m prize put up by Virgin boss Richard Branson.

Steve Stewart. and Becki Cassia, founders of Transparently, both from Winchester are seeking the public’s support to help them reach the final stages of the Virgin Voom contest.

The pair have developed a mobile app which can be used to help “to record and negotiate a solution or compromise, to any legal matter”.

To begin with the app is being marketed as a tool to help take the heartache and hassle out of divorce.

Via the platform, individuals are able to privately add professional legal, financial and other experts to their account, who can support and advise them throughout the negotiation process. The various professional involved can also share information with each other.

“Separation and divorce are awful under any circumstances” said Becki. “Even in the most amicable of separations, communication can at times be emotional, or difficult. We have taken time to research our market and to understand our customers –legal professionals and their clients.”

Becki, 37, a former management accountant at Denplan, and Steve, 53, both gave up their jobs to develop the business.

Transparently say they have the support of the Hampshire Police, the Law Society, law firms and The National Centre for Domestic Violence among others.

The next step is to is to build the secure version of the platform for which they need funding which is why Transparently has entered the Virgin Voom Business Competition.

Entrants are required enter a pitch and these are put to the public vote. The top 80 companies by votes are taken through to the next stage. Six finalists are chosen. The prize is a chance to pitch to Richard Branson himself, for investment; a share of £1 million.

“Having only heard about the awards during the recent Bank Holiday, we were a month behind all of the other entrants,” said Becki. “We entered the race at 707th position on May 6. We have worked with our supporters and their votes have so far carried us to 90th place!

The closing date for votes on the Virgin Voom website is May 15.