Your Startup Deserves More Than Just Funding Advice

StartUp Wingman helps early-stage founders build a real, sustainable business — focused on product, operations, and growth, not just chasing investment.

How StartUp Wingman Supports Your Startup

Product

Whether you are thinking about your product or you already have an MVP there is always help and support needed to refine your offering.

StartUp Wingman can:

- Help refine the problem-solution-market fit
- Encourage MVP thinking
- Own the development and update of product roadmaps

Marketing

One of the biggest tasks a startup has is how to market itself and reach out to its users.

StartUp Wingman can:

- Generally supporting the execution of the marketing strategy
- Assist with discovery calls and product demos
- Manage podcasts and webinars

Commercial And Business Development

Business development and sales are the making and breaking of most startups and with that being the case.

StartUp Wingman can:

- Manage origination and completion of contracts
- Help onboard new clients to the platform
- Provide customer and partner relationship management

Flexible, Scalable Support

Early-stage startups don’t need rigid, inflexible consulting contracts. You need a partner who can adapt to your reality. That’s why StartUp Wingman operates on a highly flexible fractional or retainer basis.

Fractional Leadership

Need a COO or CPO but can't justify a full-time hire? Get executive-level operational and product leadership on a part-time basis.

Scalable Retainers

Support that scales up when you're gearing up for a launch or fundraise, and scales down during quieter build phases.

Project Sprints

Need to solve a specific problem fast? We can run targeted sprints to define your MVP, map your go-to-market, or overhaul operations.

About James

I’m James Brookes, a Manchester-based startup consultant with over a decade of hands-on experience working directly with founders and early-stage tech companies.

I’ve seen first-hand what separates the startups that survive from those that don’t — and it’s rarely about the product. It’s about having the right operational foundations, a clear go-to-market strategy, and the discipline to build a real business rather than just chasing the next funding round.

That’s why I started StartUp Wingman. To give early-stage founders the practical, no-nonsense support they need to build a Minimum Viable Business — one that can stand on its own two feet, generate real revenue, and grow sustainably.

I work on a flexible fractional and retainer basis, which means you get the right level of support at every stage of your journey — without the overhead of a full-time hire.

What Founders Say

“In the few months I’ve been working with James, he’s mentored me from early prototype through to launch. Having James as a mentor and point of reference has given me the confidence to focus on the areas that actually matter in the early startup phases. He has consistently helped me cut through the noise and refocus on the important milestones. If you’re where I was and need the insight and down-to-earth mentorship to give your startup a boost, James is an excellent partner to have by your side.”

Founder, Scriptorium GM

Experience That Makes a Difference

With over a decade working in tech — the majority of that directly with founders and early-stage startups — I bring the hands-on experience your startup needs to build, grow, and scale.

8

Startups
Supported

10+

Years in
Tech

How StartUp Wingman Helps You

Assess Your Needs

Every startup is different — there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The first step is a straightforward conversation to understand where you are, what you need, and how StartUp Wingman can help.

Execute the Plan

Once we have agreed a plan, it is time to execute. From weekly check-ins to monthly board meetings, I help keep your startup on track using practical processes and tooling designed for founders.

Ongoing Support and Growth

Building a startup can be a lonely journey, especially as a solo founder. StartUp Wingman provides ongoing guidance and support — whether you need strategic direction or simply a trusted sounding board.

At StartUp Wingman I’ve managed to generate the relevant experience, skillset and passion to help innovative founders and startups establish their problem-solution-market fit and establish not just their Minimum Viable Product but their Minimum Viable Business with a focusing on bootstrapping to get the business to where it should be.

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