Invest2Scale Podcast

Invest2Scale
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Scaling Scottish businesses. Connecting ambitious founders. Attracting global investment. The Invest2Scale Podcast is where Scotland’s most ambitious scale-up founders meet the investors, advisors, and industry leaders who can help them grow. We go beyond the headlines to explore the real challenges and opportunities of scaling a business, with insights from those who’ve done it before—and those backing the next big success stories. Each episode, we bring you candid conversations with visionary entrepreneurs, top-tier investors, and expert advisors who share their experiences, strategies, and lessons learned. Whether you’re leading a high-growth company, investing in Scotland’s business ecosystem, or simply passionate about entrepreneurship, this podcast delivers valuable insights to help you navigate the scale-up journey. Backed by Invest2Scale, a network connecting Scotland’s most promising businesses with the investment and expertise they need to reach the next level, our mission is simple: empower scale-up founders to achieve their full potential. Tune in and scale up. 🎙️ Follow the conversation at Invest2Scale.com

Episodes

  1. Nov 5

    What US Investors Really Look For in Scottish Founders, with Jake Kleiner of Bettor Capital

    How does a Scottish tech company end up with backing from a US investor? In this episode of the Invest2Scale podcast, Ewan is joined by Jake Kleiner of Bettor Capital, a US fund that invests in online gaming software and backed Scottish company BR-DGE earlier this year. Jake explains why the deal took three years of relationship building, and why founders should be talking to investors long before they need the money. He covers what specialist investors look for, from traction in one sector to a founding team with “conviction with honesty”. He also explains why alignment across the leadership team matters as much as the CEO, and why Scotland deserves more attention from US investors than it gets. If you’re a founder thinking about US capital, or an investor wondering what Scotland has to offer, this one’s for you.

  2. Oct 13

    S2E2 - Going Through The Investment Rounds With Federico Charosky

    What does the investment journey really look like when a Scottish business starts to scale internationally? Ewan Anderson is joined by Federico from Quorum Cyber at Invest2Scale to explore the company’s journey from securing its first investment in Scotland to working with investors in London and, ultimately, the US. Federico shares an honest founder perspective on raising investment, from feeling like a “goldfish swimming with sharks” in those early conversations to dealing with valuations and investment figures that can begin to feel like “Monopoly money”. They discuss why finding the right investor matters as much as securing the investment itself, the role advisers and chairs can play at different stages of growth, and why Scotland needs to create an environment that encourages founders to think bigger. Federico also reflects on Scotland as a launch pad for international growth and why access to the right advice, networks and investment becomes increasingly important as businesses scale. In this episode: Quorum Cyber’s investment journey from Scotland to London and the USFinding the right investor, not simply the cheapest moneyWhat it feels like to step into bigger investment conversationsWhy Scottish founders should be encouraged to think internationallyThe importance of the right advisers and chair at each stageKeeping customers and growth at the heart of the business as investment increasesPart of Invest2Scale, connecting Scotland’s ambitious founders with the investors, experience and expertise needed to scale.

  3. Oct 5

    S2E1 - Debt Finance and Scottish Investment with Catherine Wright

    Could debt finance play a bigger role in helping Scotland’s ambitious businesses scale? Ewan Anderson is joined by Catherine from HSBC Innovation Bank at Invest2Scale to explore the role of venture debt and why scaling businesses should consider it alongside more traditional equity investment. Catherine explains how debt finance can provide additional runway while limiting dilution, what HSBC Innovation Bank looks for when assessing a business, and why a strong financial model, credible leadership team and experienced board all matter. They also discuss the strength of Scotland’s growing business ecosystem, the opportunities Catherine sees across sectors including FinTech, enterprise software, life sciences and space technology, and why HSBC Innovation Bank sees Scotland as an exciting market for the future. In this episode: What venture debt is and where it can fit within your funding strategyUsing debt to create runway for R&D, sales and marketingWhat lenders want to see from a scaling businessThe importance of your CEO, CFO and wider boardWhy Scotland is attracting the attention of investors and fundersThe opportunities HSBC Innovation Bank sees within Scotland’s scaling ecosystemPart of the Invest2Scale series, bringing together founders, investors and experts to share practical insight into building and scaling ambitious businesses in Scotland.

  4. 09/09/2025

    Going Global with Modulr | Season 1 - Episode 4 | Invest2Scale Podcast Episode

    Investor Scale Podcast – Episode: Building a FinTech Powerhouse with Myles Stephenson, Co-Founder of Modulr In this episode of the Investor Scale Podcast, host Ewan Anderson sits down with Myles Stephenson, Co-Founder of Modulr, one of the UK’s leading embedded payments providers. Myles shares the story of building Modulr from the ground up—starting with the irony of struggling to open a bank account, to raising over £150 million in funding, and now scaling towards profitability and global expansion. We explore how Modulr found product-market fit, built long-term investor relationships, and navigated the challenges of aligning values and ambitions across different funding rounds. Myles also offers candid insights into the differences between UK, European, and US investors, and what it takes to build a resilient FinTech business in a regulated environment. This episode is packed with practical takeaways for founders, investors, and anyone involved in scaling high-growth tech companies, especially those building from Scotland with global ambitions.

    Going Global with Modulr | Season 1 - Episode 4 | Invest2Scale Podcast Episode

  5. 08/08/2025

    CleanTech Investment in Scotland | Season 1 - Episode 3 | Invest2Scale Podcast

    Investor Scale Podcast – Episode: Scaling CleanTech: What Investors Are Looking For with Robert Hokin of Greenbackers In this episode of the Investor Scale Podcast, host Ewan Anderson speaks with Robert Hokin, Managing Partner at Greenbackers Investment Capital—a specialist investor network focused on cleantech and climate innovation. With decades of experience across technology, finance, and mergers and acquisitions, Robert shares practical insights into what makes a cleantech business “oven-ready” for funding. From product-market fit to team strength and market size, Robert breaks down the key investor criteria for climate and renewable ventures. He also offers a candid view of Scotland’s clean energy potential—explaining why the region is rich in talent and innovation, but still needs more coordination and policy support to hit net zero targets. Packed with honest reflections, this episode is a must-listen for founders navigating the cleantech investment landscape and for ecosystem players working to position Scotland as a global green energy leader.

    CleanTech Investment in Scotland | Season 1 - Episode 3 | Invest2Scale Podcast

  6. 06/23/2025

    Scotland’s Scale-Up Scene | Season 1 - Episode 2 | Invest2Scale Podcast

    Investor Scale Podcast – Episode: Investing in Ambition: How Mercia VC Sees Opportunity in Scotland’s Scale-Up Scene In this episode of the Investor Scale Podcast, host Ewan Anderson is joined by Alex Gwyther and Dr Natalie Blagburn of Mercia Venture Capital, a leading UK investor backing high-growth companies from seed to Series B. Together, they unpack why Scotland is fast becoming a key region for innovation—and why Mercia is backing Scottish scale-ups across life sciences, software, and FinTech. Alex and Natalie discuss what makes Scotland’s startup ecosystem so investible—from world-class universities and angel networks to global ambition baked into local founders. They also reflect on what it really takes to attract funding at Series A and B stages, the long-term value of relationship-building with VCs, and the importance of storytelling in investment journeys. If you’re a founder, investor, or ecosystem supporter, this episode offers practical insights on how to scale with purpose—and why shouting about your success matters just as much as achieving it.

    Scotland’s Scale-Up Scene | Season 1 - Episode 2 | Invest2Scale Podcast

  7. 05/26/2025

    Exiting Your Business | Season 1 - Episode 1 | Invest2Scale Podcast

    Investor Scale Podcast – Episode: Building a Global Tech Brand from Scotland with Daniel Rodgers, Founder of QuickServe In this episode of the Investor Scale Podcast, host Ewan Anderson speaks with Daniel Rodgers, founder of QuickServe – a tech company born from a rainy day frustration and grown into a global digital ordering platform used in over 44 countries. Daniel shares the story behind QuickServe’s inception, their rapid expansion during the pandemic, and how a strategic exit to The Access Group has fuelled their next stage of growth. They explore the realities of scaling a tech business from Scotland, navigating the UK investment ecosystem, and the challenges of raising capital in a more risk-averse market. Whether you're an investor looking to understand the Scottish tech landscape, or a founder seeking insights on funding and scaling, this conversation offers honest reflections and practical lessons on ambition, timing, and building visionary businesses beyond borders.

    Exiting Your Business | Season 1 - Episode 1 | Invest2Scale Podcast
  • 7 Episodes

About

Scaling Scottish businesses. Connecting ambitious founders. Attracting global investment. The Invest2Scale Podcast is where Scotland’s most ambitious scale-up founders meet the investors, advisors, and industry leaders who can help them grow. We go beyond the headlines to explore the real challenges and opportunities of scaling a business, with insights from those who’ve done it before—and those backing the next big success stories. Each episode, we bring you candid conversations with visionary entrepreneurs, top-tier investors, and expert advisors who share their experiences, strategies, and lessons learned. Whether you’re leading a high-growth company, investing in Scotland’s business ecosystem, or simply passionate about entrepreneurship, this podcast delivers valuable insights to help you navigate the scale-up journey. Backed by Invest2Scale, a network connecting Scotland’s most promising businesses with the investment and expertise they need to reach the next level, our mission is simple: empower scale-up founders to achieve their full potential. Tune in and scale up. 🎙️ Follow the conversation at Invest2Scale.com

Information

  • Creator
    Invest2Scale
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Invest2Scale Podcast
  • Show Website
    Invest2Scale Podcast