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SCALE-UPSTARTUPY
StartupsFrom idea to funding round and exit

SCALE-UP

A company that has already found a working business model and is growing rapidly — conventionally, more than 20% annually for three years, starting with at least ten employees.

Why it matters

It distinguishes the stage of searching for a model from the stage of scaling it — which requires completely different tasks for management.

What's missing without it

Without this distinction, companies ready to scale are advised to run experiments, while those still searching for a model are told to build organizational structures.

When it is used

During growth funding rounds, international expansion, and executive hiring.

How we use it

A company post-Series B opening markets in three countries.

Fun fact

The definition of 20% growth over three years comes from the OECD. In practice, this means the company must at least double in size during that time.

Numbers worth knowing

Startups in data

26%

Prognozowany udział w pełni elektrycznych pojazdów (BEV, bez hybryd) w europejskim parku samochodowym do 2035 roku, w porównaniu z 4% w 2025 r.

BCG2035Europe

1.7%

Prognozowany średnioroczny wzrost (CAGR) europejskiego rynku aftermarket do 2035 roku.

BCG2024Europe

116 000 000 000 EUR

Prognozowana wartość europejskiego rynku aftermarket w 2035 roku, w porównaniu z 99 mld EUR w 2025 r. (na poziomie hurtowym, bez robocizny).

BCG2035Europe

Figures from the same field — collected in our market data base.

Related terms