Your earnings
5% of the capital gain
If the startup you recommend generates a capital gain for swanbase, you receive 5% of it. Calculated on the net amount, after deducting fees.
An email can be worth €25,000.
Recommend a startup to swanbase. If we invest and the exit generates a capital gain, you receive 5%. No investment on your part.
No financial commitment. Apply in a single call.
What's in it for you
Your investment
Zero euros
No capital needed. Your only contribution: your network and your ability to spot the right projects.
Your freedom
No exclusivity
Recommend as many startups as you want and work with whoever you want. The relationship is non-exclusive, on both sides.
Simulate your compensation
5% of our net capital gain
Adjust the capital gain to see what you would earn.
Capital gain: 500 000 €
Your earnings: 25 000 €
A concrete example: if swanbase invests €200,000 and sells its stake for €1,000,000, the net capital gain is €750,000 (after fees). You receive €37,500.
How it works
01
Application
Book a meeting with us. We'll talk about your profile, your motivations, and your network.
02
Recommendation
Once you're a scout, send your recommendations by email with the key details: name, link, founder contact, and some context in a few lines.
03
Analysis
Our team reviews the submission. You're kept informed of the key stages: acceptance, fundraising, liquidity event.
04
Compensation
In the event of an exit, you receive 5% of our net capital gain. Payment within 60 days after the liquidity event.
This program is for you if…
You spend time around founders, you understand what makes a good project, and you want to make the most of it.
Student or Alumni
You're surrounded by people launching projects. Incubators, associations, campuses: you see startups being born before anyone else.
(Ex)-Founder
You founded or co-founded a company. You know how to assess a team, a product, and an ability to execute. Your perspective has value.
Tech Pro
You work in the ecosystem and you hear about promising projects before they raise. You pick up on the weak signals.
What type of startup are we looking for?
Preferred sectors
- SaaS (B2B/B2C)
- Marketplaces
- Fintech & Insurtech
- Deeptech & AI
- Impact
Stage of maturity
Mainly pre-seed and seed, with an MVP and early signals of traction.
Ambition & team
Complementary and resilient teams, strong ambition, a large market, international potential.
Why this program
Since 2018, swanbase has supported early-stage startups to help them find their first customers. To invest in the best projects, we need eyes and ears on the ground.
The best startups aren't always found at pitch events or in databases. They're found in your conversations, your networks, your communities. The VC Scout program turns that ground-level knowledge into an advantage for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Does the program cost anything?
No. No investment required. You bring your network, not your capital.
What exactly is the 5% calculated on?
On swanbase's net capital gain: the amount received at exit, minus the acquisition cost of the stake and the direct fees related to the transaction (fees, audit, etc.). swanbase's own taxes are not deducted.
How many startups can I recommend?
As many as you want. No limit. Each recommendation is handled independently.
Is it exclusive? Can I work with other funds?
The relationship is non-exclusive, on both sides. You remain free to collaborate with whoever you want.
And if the startup I recommend isn't selected?
Nothing changes for you. swanbase is the sole decision-maker on its investments. Keep recommending other projects.
When do I get paid?
At the time of a liquidity event: sale, buyout, IPO. The realistic horizon is 5 to 10 years, sometimes longer for the biggest ventures. Payment within 60 days after swanbase receives the funds.
What status do I need to be a scout?
You need to be able to issue an invoice: sole proprietorship, company, or any equivalent status. The contract formalizes the relationship between you and swanbase.
Do I need finance or VC skills?
No. The role is limited to identifying and introducing promising startups. swanbase handles the analysis, the due diligence, and the investment.
You spot the startups. We invest. We share.
Book a meeting to talk it through.
Become a VC ScoutNo financial commitment. Non-exclusive relationship. Transparent contract.
