Scale Investors Pty Ltd
About Scale Investors Pty Ltd
Scale Investors was founded in Melbourne in 2013 by a group of local businesswomen. Its media page says four women started it to address the investment gender gap. The firm later went through a management buyout by four senior women executives, for an undisclosed amount. Chelsea Newell and Samar Mcheileh were named co-CEOs after the departure of Ariane Barker. Newell has been with the firm since 2018 and leads its investment team. The partnership team named in press coverage also includes Roo Harris and Solai Valliappan. The firm said in September 2025 that Scale Venture Fund 1 had secured over $26 million in commitments. A Capital Brief report described a planned $100 million fund for women founders. Breakthrough Victoria has made a cornerstone investment in Scale Venture Fund 1, according to a LinkedIn post. The firm's media page cites over $20m invested across 47 startups.
The public sources I found do not describe an AI-specific mandate, name partners who lead AI deals, or list AI portfolio companies. The firm's public materials focus on women-led early-stage startups, and the Lounge profile lists technology startups within that scope.
Lounge lists Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A as focus stages. The firm describes its investments as early-stage. The sources I found do not publish check sizes.
- scaleinvestors.com.au/media
- crunchbase.com/organization/scale-investors
- startupdaily.net/topic/funding/angel-investment-network-scale-investor
- capitalbrief.com/article/scale-takes-aim-at-australias-venture-gender-
- x.com/scale_investors
- au.linkedin.com/company/scale-investors-pty-ltd
- linkedin.com/in/zac-zavos-a3910412
Investing activity
Scale Investors Pty Ltd is listed on Lounge as a venture capital investor based in Melbourne, Australia. The deals desk records Series A and later AI rounds and seeds over $10M, so smaller checks may not show here yet.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Scale Investors Pty Ltd
When was Scale Investors founded?
Scale Investors was founded in Melbourne in 2013. The firm's media page says four women started it to close the entrepreneurial investment gender gap.
How large is Scale Venture Fund 1?
The firm said in September 2025 that Scale Venture Fund 1 had secured over $26 million in commitments. A Capital Brief report described a planned $100 million fund, so a final close size is not confirmed in the sources I found.
What stages does Scale Investors invest in?
Lounge lists Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A. The sources I found do not publish check sizes, so founders should confirm terms directly with the team.
Does Scale Investors invest in AI startups?
The public sources I found do not name AI-specific deals or an AI mandate. The firm's stated focus is women-led early-stage startups, so AI founders should check whether they fit that focus.
Who leads Scale Investors?
Chelsea Newell and Samar Mcheileh are named as co-CEOs. Roo Harris and Solai Valliappan are also named on the partnership team in press coverage.
Where is Scale Investors Pty Ltd based?
Scale Investors Pty Ltd is based in Melbourne, Australia.
How can founders reach Scale Investors Pty Ltd?
Founders on Lounge can see Scale Investors Pty Ltd's contact details in AI Investor Contacts (paid plans), check for a warm introduction through members who worked with the firm under Warm Paths, and add Scale Investors Pty Ltd to their Investor Pipeline to track the conversation.