Passing the baton: the next generation of Scale Investors

Media Release

Scale Investors Management Buyout.

Scale Investors, Australia’s first angel investor network investing in women-led startups, has undergone a management buyout for an undisclosed amount marking a new chapter in the company's growth and success. 

Scale Investors was founded in 2013 by four formidable women, who set out to close the entrepreneurial investment gender gap. After 10 years of funding and supporting women entrepreneurs and investing over $20m across a portfolio of 47 startups currently valued at $260 million, with a NASDAQ listing and a 30x exit. Susan Oliver AM, Carol Schwartz AO, Annette Kimmitt AM and Laura McKenzie, are passing the baton to the next generation, Co-CEO’s Samar Mcheileh and Chelsea Newell, and Chief Investment Officer, Roo Harris. 

The new owners will continue to deliver exceptional service to both investors and founders, while working toward the Scale Investors vision of creating a world in which gender does not limit access to capital. And with 97% of venture capital funding going to male-founded start-ups, there is still much work to be done.

Carol Schwartz AO, described the buyout as ‘a natural progression’, as the original founders are ‘always on the hunt for exceptional women innovators and leaders’. We have every confidence that the new owners will continue to evolve the business, while also ensuring continuity and stability. I am looking forward to  the next chapter, and will continue to support Scale Investors as an active angel investor."

Susan Oliver AM, founding Chair of Scale Investors and now Chair of LaunchVic’s Alice Anderson Fund, likewise welcomes the next generation of leaders. Noting the profound impact that Scale Investors has made for women entrepreneurs, and the movement that Scale has catalysed in Australia, Oliver remarked, “We are incredibly proud of the capital we ourselves have invested in women founders and also the many other investors who have joined us in our mission.” 

Speaking on behalf of the new ownership team, Co-CEO Chelsea Newell thanked the outgoing owners for their service and support, noting that their pioneering approach has led to the carving out of an entire niche in the start-up ecosystem. She also extended her gratitude to the Scale Investors Board, with special mention to Chair Catherine Robson and Scale’s founding sponsor partner, PwC, led by Sean Gregory and more recently Adam Pascoe.

“Samar, Roo and I are honored to be the new owners of Scale Investors, having each worked in the business for several years now, we uniquely understand its legacy, its DNA, and how we can build on the incredible success of the last 10 years. We have a strong vision for the future, which includes evolving into funds management, following the example of Golden Seeds in the US. With the recent launch of the Scaling Women’s Fund - a highly differentiated and rolling fund product, we’re accelerating that mission. 

Noting that “‘gender diverse teams outperform, and with valuations much more attractive and the barriers to entry lower than ever for women founders as a result of broadly distributed AI, the time is now to close the entrepreneurial investment gender-gap.” 

Get in touch with the team, email us at ceo@scaleinvestors.com.au

Momentum is being created! If you see things how we do, or we have piqued your interest, reach out to us and get involved!