James Linton recently joined Macquarie as Incubator Manager. He has worked for more than a decade in a variety of roles at the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, focusing on research and innovation in the Biotech and MedTech sectors.

Beginning in the neuroscience field, James developed a passion for innovation having seen how research and innovation in health can have a direct benefit to a patient’s quality of life. James then moved into a role coordinating collaborative research and innovation-based projects across the Westmead hospitals, as well as universities and medical research institutes.

“These projects proved that when we work together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts – the multiplier effect in action,” he says.

James was influential in developing the culture of commercialisation and entrepreneurial thinking among the researcher and clinician communities through the delivery of educational programs, partnership opportunities and participation in the broader innovation ecosystem.

James is thrilled to have joined Macquarie Incubator and looks forward to using his skills and passion for innovation in STEM to support startups across a broader set of sectors to reach their potential.

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1. Something you would like staff to know about

Learning entrepreneurial skills and design thinking is not only valuable to startups, but it can also help anyone to think clearly about identifying problems and creatively solving them in the most effective and efficient ways.

2. Something you feel proud of

I am proud to be in this role. I get to work with amazing startups and inspiring company founders across a variety of sectors including healthtech, fintech, defence, software, manufacturing, sustainability innovation, and more.

3. What you need to do your best work

A problem to solve and some pumping tunes from my headphones.

4. The most impressive/useful piece of equipment you use in your work

The Incubator building is pretty incredible and has won prestigious international architecture and design awards. Come up and check us out some time.

5. Something people usually ask you when they find out what you do for a living

“But what do you actually do?”

6. Something you’ve read recently that has had an impact on you

I just finished The Psychology of Money, by Morgan Housel and it was a fascinating look at how this super important thing in our lives – money and financial security – is impacted by our perceptions and behaviour. I think it should be mandatory reading for all school leavers.

7. The first person you go to for advice (and why)

My wife. She is wise and tells it how it is.

8. A personal quality you value in others

Humility.

9. Something you’ve been trying to do differently in 2023

To see every moment in life as an opportunity for personal growth. Even the hard times … actually, especially the hard times.

10. I’m happiest when…

I’m playing with my two young boys and being in the ocean.