In the first of a new series on star executives at St John’s Innovation Centre in Cambridge, which in 2027 celebrates its 40th anniversary, Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Martlew reveals her enthusiasm for powering startups.
“I got into startups through happenstance,” says St John’s Innovation Centre Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Martlew. “But quite quickly I realised I loved that environment. It’s fast-paced, sometimes chaotic, but you get real responsibility early on.”
That early experience and serendipity you often hear about in Cambridge saw Steph help scale companies from just a few employees to more than 150. Today, she brings that insight to a Centre that has supported more than 500 companies since 1987 and now hosts around 80 on-site businesses and over 300 virtual members.
As St John’s Innovation Centre (SJIC) approaches its 40th anniversary next year, Steph’s experience has given her a clear view of how the startup landscape is evolving and what she needs to do as COO of one of Europe’s first incubators – in a global innovation hub – to drive successful startups.
Strong foundations make ideas succeed
For Steph, the difference between a good idea and a successful company often comes down to execution.
“It’s not usually the idea that fails,” she says. “It’s everything around it.”
She highlights fundamentals that can make or break early-stage growth. “Hiring the right people at the right time is critical, and that means not hiring people just like you. A startup can feel like family at times, but it’s a business. You need diversity of thinking.
“IT, compliance, and HR may not sound like the most exciting thing to a founder, but they’re essential if you want to scale. The most successful leaders are the ones who recognise they can’t know everything and are willing to ask for help.”
Adaptability, she adds, is a defining trait. “The founders, and therefore companies, that do well are the ones that can absorb, adjust, and keep moving forward.”
The past few years have brought challenges for many startups, but also resilience. “A lot of companies have had to rethink and adapt,” Steph says. “That’s not always easy, but it often makes them stronger.”
The value of being in the room
Cambridge’s success as an innovation cluster is often attributed to its talent and research base, but Steph believes the human element is just as important.
“There’s real value in rubbing shoulders with people on the same journey, or slightly ahead of you,” she says. “Those informal conversations can open doors you didn’t even know existed.”
Within the SJIC community, there are founders who are on their second, third or even fourth ventures, bringing valuable experience. “They’ve learned from previous journeys, both the successes and the setbacks. That openness is often what helps them, and others, move forward more quickly.”
While ways of working are evolving, she sees in-person collaboration as a continued strength. “You don’t know what you don’t know. Being part of a community helps you see more, learn faster, and make better decisions.”
At SJIC, that sense of connection is intentional. “We’re not just a landlord,” Steph says. “We’re led by people who have been through startups themselves, alongside a long-standing on-site Innovation and Growth Team. That continuity of advisors and mentors, having people here who understand what you’re going through, is incredibly valuable.”
This ‘impact beyond office space’ is extensive. Between April 2022 and March 2026, companies supported by the Innovation and Growth Team secured more than £324 million in funding and finance, created 323 jobs, entered new markets with support for 77 businesses, and helped 61 companies establish new commercial and international partnerships.
The aim is to support companies through every stage of growth, from early ideas through to scaling and eventually moving into larger premises at St John’s Innovation Park. A soon-to-be-announced ‘Founders Accelerator Programme’ will be an exciting addition.
See the rest of the article on the Business Weekly website.