James Young

Hello, I’m James Young, a Knowledge Transfer Adviser dedicated to helping UK businesses bridge the gap between ambitious ideas and market-ready reality. With a career rooted in entrepreneurship and innovation delivery, I understand first-hand the challenges of scaling businesses. I’m here to help you navigate the complexities of academic-commercial partnerships and turn your strategic goals into tangible growth.

My background is a blend of “boots on the ground” entrepreneurship and high-level strategic planning. I’ve founded a circular economy business and led business units for Innovate UK-funded start-ups. This perspective allows me to act as a bilingual bridge between the culture of the research base and the fast-paced requirements of industry.

How can I help you?

I support businesses and research institutions through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and other innovation-led programmes. Whether you are looking to access world-class expertise or translate cutting-edge research into commercial impact, I can provide:

• Partnership Brokerage: I have extensive experience building collaborations between senior academics and diverse commercial stakeholders.
• Strategic Guidance: From developing robust business cases to interpreting financial models, I help ensure your innovation is grounded in commercial viability.
• Project Mentoring: Having managed portfolios of Innovate UK projects, I offer hands-on support in project monitoring, reporting, and risk mitigation to keep your initiatives on track.

I am passionate about the circular economy and sustainable innovation. If you’re ready to innovate, I’m ready to help you build the right team to make it happen. Feel free to reach out for a chat about your next project.