We are thrilled to welcome Frederik Barsøe to Scale Capital’s team, joining in the role of PR & Communications Lead!
With extensive experience as a PR & Communications Consultant and Journalist, Frederik joins Scale Capital to enhance our ethos and strengthen the storytelling around our fund and portfolio companies, ultimately fostering deeper connections with our audience and the whole ecosystem.
Frederik, you bring a rich background in both PR and journalism. How have these experiences shaped your approach to storytelling, especially in the startup world?
To me, it’s always about finding those genuine, human stories that foster connection and resonate with the audience. A lot of startups have amazing products and technologies, but at the end of the day, it’s the story behind them – the people, the challenges, the breakthroughs – that really resonate. I’ve always been extremely curious by nature, but journalism has taught me how to listen and ask the right questions to uncover those stories. It has also given me an understanding of how journalists work and think, which helps me frame and tell stories in a way that connects with them. Basically, it has to be storytelling over product selling.
You’ve worked closely with visionary founders and emerging companies bringing fresh, authentic narratives to life. What draws you to the startup world, and how does helping them share their stories resonate with you?
I often find it that startups are super personal as founders pour so much passion into their work. When you experience how invested they are in what they’re building, it makes it incredibly meaningful to help them articulate their vision in a way that resonates with others. Seeing a pair of founder-eyes light up because the story feels right – not just for the audience, but for them personally, too. That’s just a great feeling. And obviously, working with companies that are pioneering innovative or disruptive solutions is simply super exciting and inspiring.
Making the move to venture capital and joining Scale is an exciting pivot. What motivated you to join the team, and what about Scale’s vision aligns with your own goals?
It’s such a great way for me to reconnect with the ecosystem and be part of something bigger. VC isn’t just about funding – it’s about nurturing ideas and stories, helping them take shape even when there isn’t a clear path. One of the things that particularly drew me to Scale is the focus on building long-term relationships and truly understanding what the portfolio companies need. It’s not just about celebrating success, but it’s about supporting the whole journey. This role is a chance to amplify that ethos and help Scale tell its story in a way that creates an even deeper connection with our audience and the whole ecosystem.
How would you describe your approach to storytelling in your own words?
Human-centric, personal and authentic, always. Storytelling should feel like a conversation. Not a monologue, and definitely not a sales pitch. I always try to put the audience first, focusing on people and personalities over buzzwords. In our line of business, we naturally always need to be mindful and professional in our approach to communication, but I think there’s always a way to weave in authenticity and personality. I want to make sure the communication is not overly polished or robotic. Also known as “boring”. If I can strike the right balance between informative, professional, fun and creative, everybody wins. Including myself.
Who is Frederik beyond the titles of PR professional and journalist? Could you tell us a bit about the personal side of your journey and what drives you outside of work?
As much as I’m trying to think of something that will make me sound super interesting, I think I just have to admit that I’m a pretty basic guy who loves his football. Living in London, this is an amazing interest to have as I'm able to not only play but also follow my team (Tottenham) closely. Other than that, I’m all about chasing little everyday adventures with my friends and my partner. London has been my home for the past four years, but I still find new reasons to love it every day. It’s the perfect place to indulge in different cultures, try out new food spots, and just seek out experiences in general. That said, Copenhagen and Aarhus will always feel like home, and I make it a point to get back to Denmark as often as I can.
Finally, what do you hope to accomplish as you take on this role at Scale?
My main goal is to make it crystal clear what Scale stands for and why it has a unique place in the ecosystem. I’ll do everything in my power to raise the profile of Scale and our brilliant team, making sure everyone has the right platforms to share great stories, valuable knowledge and interesting opinions. If we, through my role, can inspire more curiosity and foster more authentic connections in the ecosystem, I’ll consider it a job well done.
If you wish to get in touch with Frederik, you can reach him at frederik@scalecapital.com or connect via LinkedIn.