Innovation Supper: Meet the Dragons
Emerging entrepreneurs from across York and North Yorkshire will be pitching their business ideas to an engaged audience of like-minded business professionals at next month’s Innovation Supper.
The event, taking place in York on Thursday 15th of October at 6pm, offers a relaxed evening with a light supper and plenty of inspiration, with the winning business taking home funding to help give their idea the boost it needs.
Meet the Dragons
A panel of experienced business professionals are set to provide a wealth of business knowledge and insight, asking questions and offering invaluable feedback to those taking the stage.
Henry Rigg
Business Growth Manager, York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub
Henry Rigg is the Business Growth Manager at the Growth Hub, with more than 20 years’ experience designing and commissioning business support, skills, and regeneration programmes, Henry brings an invaluable ‘eye of the commissioner’ to the Innovation Supper panel.
Having worked with organisations including Yorkshire Forward, Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, and NatWest, Henry understands what makes a business proposition stand out and the questions that can help turn a promising idea into a stronger, more commercially focused proposition. His extensive experience working within business support also gives him a broad understanding of the challenges growing organisations face and the support that can help them move forward.
As a qualified leadership coach, Henry brings a supportive and constructive approach to working with business owners and leaders. At Innovation Supper, he’ll draw on this experience to challenge our pitching businesses, explore the potential behind their ideas, and offer insight that can help them think about their next stage of growth.
Charlotte Watkins
Partner & Co-Founder, Secerna LLP
Charlotte is a Patent Attorney, entrepreneur, and trusted advisor who helps innovators turn complex ideas into valuable, commercially focused intellectual property. Having practised in intellectual property since 2001, she co-founded Secerna LLP in May 2011 to provide businesses with a more strategic, transparent, and approachable way to manage and develop their intellectual assets.
Recognised as a leading expert in the international IAM Patent 1000 directory, Charlotte works closely with founders, researchers, and leadership teams to help them protect their ideas, develop effective IP strategies, and maximise the commercial potential of their innovation. As an entrepreneur who has built and grown her own professional services business, she brings a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in turning ideas into successful ventures.
Charlotte is particularly interested in the role that intellectual property can play in supporting innovation, investment, growth, and competitive advantage. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director for PAMIA, an insurance mutual, contributing to professional standards and supporting the wider UK Intellectual Property profession.
Andrew Bishop
Serial Entrepreneur, The Firestarter
Andrew Bishop is an award-winning British entrepreneur with more than 55 years of practical business experience. Over the past 55 years, Andrew has built, acquired, scaled, and sold 35 businesses, turning good ideas into practical solutions to real-world problems. His career spans manufacturing, international trade, technology, audio, sustainability and business mentoring.
Andrew has represented the industry to the British Government, chaired the Music Industries Association Education Committee, served as Vice-Chairman and Director of PLASA, and founded Sky Television’s The Musicians Channel. He serves as a school governor, an Ambassador for the Live Events Industry, and a Business Advisor to UTC.
His international network spans more than 100 countries, and he is trusted by hundreds of businesses. His expertise includes international trade, business strategy, manufacturing, sustainability and public speaking. He has shared stages with Digby Jones and Sir Alan Sugar.
Event Details
Join us on Thursday 15 October, 6pm – 8pm at York St John, Creative Centre.
Apply to pitch: Deadline is 5pm Monday 21 September 2026
Buy a ticket: £10, with all proceeds going towards supper and the prize fund.
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Innovation Supper: Meet the Dragons
Emerging entrepreneurs from across York and North Yorkshire will be pitching their business ideas to an engaged audience of like-minded business professionals at next month’s Innovation Supper. A panel of experienced business professionals are set to provide a wealth of business knowledge and insight, asking questions and offering invaluable feedback to those taking the stage.
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