James Harcourt is a Director and Software Developer at Novatura, the agency he helped build with four friends after studying computer science at the University of Southampton. He originally planned to study marine biology, but a tour of the computer science department felt more practical, hands-on and exciting. While still at university, the group took on research, web services and startup work, then incorporated when a first contract appeared through a family connection.

James talks Natalie through the reality of turning technical skills into a business: learning sales, marketing, legal and accounts; recognising that a team needs front end, back end, design and strategy; and building trust when clients are taking a risk on someone new. His advice is to start small, with a focused piece of work such as a design, audit, scope or specification, because good planning can identify 90% of the ways a project might go wrong before anyone starts building the wrong thing.

The conversation also covers Southampton's tech networks, the University of Southampton student enterprise team, the Catalyst programme at the University of Southampton Science Park, Southern Creative Catalyst, strategic partnerships with other software companies, and Novatura's focus on growth-oriented SMEs, including automotive after sales, vehicle repair and garages. James's message for founders is to stay humble, ask for help, get off social media, take useful risks and create opportunities for other people too.

Guest: James Harcourt, Director and Software Developer, Novatura

Recorded for The Technology Show on Voice FM 103.9, Southampton — broadcast 2 October 2026. Listen live on Fridays at 1pm. More episodes: thetechnologyshow.uk