1. Home
  2. Companies
  3. Scale Capital
SC

Scale Capital

About

We are active partners from seed to exit and work closely with visionary founders and teams thoughout the different phases of scaling and internationalization.

We find great value in ensuring mutual compatibility and alignment, as well as understanding the DNA of your company, BEFORE committing to working together.

We focus on getting to know you and the team, typically during a 3-months period. We’ll work closely with you to understand what value we can bring, and to align expectations from both sides.

Together, we will map out the opportunities, the challenges and the growth journey ahead

Only then, after this “kissing period”, you and we will know if a partnership feels right. This makes the final decision and commitment feel easy.

Introduction & fit

People matter…and team dynamics are important to us. Every individual and team is unique and have their own strengths and perspectives, which is why our introductions are preferably done over a cup of coffee, where we can get to know one another.

Throughout our interactions we look for fit and common values. We cherish people with strong convictions, with the background and experience to back them up.

We do not take a transactional approach to investing, but see this as the beginning of a long-term professional relationship based on integrity and transparency…and yes, working together also needs to be fun!

Experts & team building

Scale Capital brings more than just capital; we bring decades of know-how, domain expertise and access to relevant networks and stakeholders in Europe and North America.

We bring our Scale advisor and investor network into play, with more than 80 industry and domain experts that can bring strategic and operational value, even before we invest in your company.

This is way for you, as founder, to assess our value add and expertise before making the big decision of bringing us on board as an investor and active partner.

Term-sheet & 100-day plan

We believe that term-sheets should be a kept simple, founder-fair and with the future scaling of the company in mind. That means no terms that hinder future fundraising or are misaligning interests of founders and investors. It has to be a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Before we close any deal, we actively work with your team to develop an acceleration plan, a 100-day plan covering all aspects of your business. That way everyone is well-aligned by the time the investment is transferred into the company account and ready to be put to work.

Access to the Scale network of advisors

As a founder, you sometimes need someone to lean on, and learn from. Someone who has been in your shoes; made the mistakes, felt the pains and successes.

We understand. That’s why we offer access to a wide network of more than 80 advisors and specialists, who can share operational expertise, industry insights and strategic advice to companies in our portfolio.

FAQ

Why focus on the US market?

The United States is by far the largest economy in the world. It has one of the highest GDP pr. capita and a homogeneous market with 330 million consumers. The technology adoption is high, and the market for B2B technology products and services is the largest in the world. In many ways this is a dream market for ambitious tech entrepreneurs.

However, it's a highly competitive market and the go-to-market strategy may look very different from what you are used to in your home market.

Scale Capital has been working with technology companies for over a decade and developed and tested approaches for acceleration and scaling in US market; this involves setting up operations, finding product/market fit and scaling teams. In addition, we work with US partners to provide the required growth capital for every part of your journey.

Through an extensive network of more than 50 advisors, we provide expertise and value to founders whether it’s on the ground in New York or San Francisco, or the Nordics.

We help you win in the US market.

What do we invest in?

We invest in early stage technology companies at the growth inflection point between the Seed and Series A round and deploy $500k-$1.5M initially, with reserves for follow-on investments.

Our sweet spot is B2B tech founder teams in the Nordics, who are determined to build global companies they can be proud of.

How do we add value?

We understand the entrepreneurs’ journey, as we’ve been down that road ourselves. We know how to listen and when to step in. We have been working with technology companies for over a decade and developed and tested approaches for acceleration and scaling in US market; this involves setting up operations, finding product/market fit and scaling teams, and together with our US partners provide the required growth capital for the journey.

We are company builders focused on scaling businesses and empowering change. We are an active partner for the duration of your company's growth journey.

Why the kissing period?

We find great value in ensuring mutual compatibility and alignment, as well as understanding the DNA of your company, BEFORE committing to working together.

We focus on getting to know you and the team, typically during a 3-months period. We’ll work closely with you to understand what value we can bring, and to align expectations from both sides.

Together, we will map out the opportunities, the challenges and the growth journey ahead. Only then, after this “kissing period”, you and we will know if a partnership feels right. This makes the final decision and commitment feel easy.

Similar companies

SU

SuperSeed

Investment, expertise and network to help startups develop a repeatable, scalable and profitable sales model. Backing ambitious founders, from Seed to Series ABuilding a B2B software company is a rewarding but often also a challenging journey Even with great technology, the trickiest part is often to develop customer traction We back ambitious founders with capital and expertise to get them to their first million in revenue We support founders withInvestment (typically £200k – £2m) Market analysis Sales playbook development Hands-on sales resources Coaching from experienced entrepreneurs Corporate network to help accelerate sales Strong VC network to help raise Series A The SuperSeed AdvantageWe get founders: We have built software, managed product teams and authored multiple patents. And know firsthand how to build B2B tech companies. We get technology: We have authored multiple patents. If you are looking for a partner who understands deep tech, we can help. We get your customers: We have worked >40 years across B2B software and enterprise tech, and we have an Extensive corporate network which helps accelerate sales process for startups We get enterprise sales: We have delivered more than $100m in sales and revenue for B2B software / tech companies.

1 job
LI

Lightbird

Lightbird is a Zurich-based VC firm backing entrepreneurs at one of the most intense periods of a company’s life – the early stage (Pre-Seed/Seed/Seed+). We invest in the most ambitious founding teams that use technology to solve real problems for real people and real businesses. The fund invests in B2B software with a particular focus on companies using PLG, Community-led Growth, Bottom-up Saas, NFX, Self-serve etc.. While we’re able to invest globally we will invest most of the money close to home (Europe). We are a rising brand with young, dynamic and driven people that values team work and open communication. We are rebels and want to challenge the status quo in VC by doing things a bit differently - more human. We strongly encourage individual initiatives and diverse perspectives, and enjoy spending time with each other.

AP

APX

We invest up to EUR 500,000 in startups even before a Series A, starting with a quick EUR 50,000 investment, which is followed by further investment tranches, depending on fundraising, traction and speed. Our fund size is EUR 55 Million of which substantial funds are allocated for early follow-on investments. Our Venture Development team and Platform is designed to provide support across the crucial early-stage pillars of: B2B Customer Discovery and Sales, Digital Marketing, Mental Health, Talent and Follow-On Capital. Our relationship is kicked off with a 6-week Venture Development Sprint, designed to maximize your potential for follow-on capital. Our team and resources are always available as you generate and approach inflection points in your venture. We give you access to all our extensive online and offline resources, network, curated mentors and campus. This includes our platform APX.network – our own digital product that connects all founders, experts, mentors and follow-on investors in one place.

MV

Marathon Venture Capital

Marathon Venture Capital is an early-stage investor helping ambitious founders build world-class technology companies. The firm currently manages about €100 million in commitments between two funds. Our portfolio companies have raised hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from leading global investment firms while catering to customers on the Fortune 500 list or being acquired by them. We invest the first million and roll our sleeves up to help you build a fast-growing,world-class software company.

FR

Frontline

We invest in and support ambitious entrepreneurs to get them where they want to go, whether at early stages with sights on the US market, or at later stages looking to the potential of Europe. Frontline today is a team of 17 people with a growing portfolio of over 80 exceptional companies across Europe and North America, and an expanding, global, investor base. EXPERTS IN EXPANSION Founders see what the world misses. In fast pursuit of opportunity, you make critical decisions with little certainty. We get it, because we’ve been there. Frontline is the venture firm for globally ambitious B2B companies on both sides of the Atlantic. Frontline Seed speeds up ideas at inception across Europe. Frontline X is a growth-stage fund, for fast and frictionless US-Europe expansion. WE'VE LEARNED IT THE HARD WAY As a team of entrepreneurs, we have built many businesses, many ways. And as a venture fund, we’ve helped tens of founders and CEOs cross the pond. We’ve scaled too – with team members in Dublin, London and San Francisco. Today, our team, LPs and advisors represent senior leadership at many of the world’s most successful B2B companies (Think: Segment, Stripe, Looker, Linkedin, Airtable, Google and Workday – to name a few). Collectively, we can add value when founders need it most – at company defining moments. CAPITAL IS CHEAP Look around; the venture market is drowning in noise. Hundreds of funds and millions of blogposts – all claiming to “add value” left and right. We believe that capital is cheap, and we know that value-add is not made equal. Our focus is clear; we back challengers with global ambition, and we dedicate our time to helping them fly higher – faster. Our experience makes us knowledgeable. Our global network makes us unique. Want more detail or first-hand accounts? we are happy to introduce you to our founders. SYMBIOSIS In nature, the best things work together. We see the landscape ahead and can warn you of the risks, while you stay strong and focused on your goals. Indispensable; that’s how we see our relationship.

OX

Oxx

Our singular mission is to furnish the support, expertise and network to help you scale your SaaS company. Here's what you can expect from us to go all the way together. Unashamed SaaS geekery Oxx lived and breathed B2B SaaS before the bandwagon arrived. It’s likely we already know your market, category and what kind of models might best support your growth. We look for specialised, select companies, ones where success comes from going deep. Then we match your passion and determination to build a stand-out company on the global stage. Some call us B2B SaaS geeks and we take that as a compliment. With Oxx's experienced, capable team by your side, you have the power to build a global category-leader. Product advantage plus - Go-To-Market Fit is unstoppable That’s why we care about your product value proposition and your tech even more than we do about financial traction. (There, we said it!) Of course, we love market success. But if you have a proven product together with an exciting vision and sustainable differentiation, you have the critical fuel for success. We weld our Go-To-Market Fit expertise with your Product-Market Fit to help you create a business that can lead a category at global scale. Check if you are ready for the next stage with our GTMF toolkit. Scaling takes bespoke support We’ll never tell you how to run your company. And we’re allergic to generic cookie-cutter investment approaches. Instead of shortcuts or a catch-all model, we tailor our partnership to your exact situation and needs. Always underpinned with fairness, transparency and openness. Our job is to put an extended, global network of expertise accumulated over more than 20 years at your service. We win on culture; just ask the founders we’ve backed Adding an investor into your journey is a big, sweaty-palms moment, so culture fit and shared skin-in-the-game are critical. Our job is to bring our unique expertise to bear to make you successful on a global stage. Our approach to investment is highly selective and that means that we support every one of our companies with absolute conviction throughout the whole journey. It really works; just ask the founders who’ve already chosen us.