THERE is at least one little piggy set to sprout wings in York tomorrow and soar to the heights.

This Little Piggy Innovations, which promises to give the region’s entrepreneurs access to multi-million pound contracts, will be launched by two enterprising businesspeople at Venturefest Yorkshire.

It is the brainchild of York-based intellectual property lawyer Dr Eileen McMorrow and Malton-based technology business consultant Dr Sam Hoste. Both have extensive experience spanning the global technology, digital, agri-food and bioscience markets. Dr Hoste combines commercial expertise with experience of bringing scientific innovations to market.

Meanwhile, Dr McMorrow says her qualification as a mediator, and the fact she is a practising IP and commercial lawyer, enable her to create a safe haven where businesses can share their ideas in total confidence, with no risk of them being “stolen”. The two entrepreneurs believe the new venture has the capacity to put businesses in touch with multi-million pound contracts within organisations throughout the world looking to innovate in order to survive and develop.

They say their combined expertise positions them at the heart of the innovation community as a source of information, advice and support for organisations large and small.

They can also act as a conduit to ensure advances in technology reach the organisations that can benefit from them.

Dr Hoste said: “The concept of open innovation itself isn’t new, but it is becoming more and more prevalent as larger organisations open their doors to the outside world and embrace advances in technology from external sources in order to move forward.

“We can help connect those large organisations with the wealth of development work and the amazing scientific and technological advances that are taking place within the small business community across the UK and beyond.”

Dr McMorrow said This Little Piggy offered support for businesses “at whatever stage of the innovation journey they have reached”. Services include bespoke consultancy support packages tailored to meet the individual needs of businesses and entrepreneurs, alongside a programme of workshops, seminars, legal and commercial advice and mentoring support.