Carolyn Breeze

Technology & Software

Australia

Carolyn Breeze is the CEO of Scalare Partners, an ASX-listed Australian technology accelerator and investment and advisory firm.

She joined as CEO in early 2023 from Zepto, where she was Chief Commercial Officer, and brings more than 20 years of experience across technology, telecommunications, eCommerce, payments and fintech.

Her earlier senior roles include General Manager for the ANZ region at GoCardless, Country Manager for Australia at Braintree, and positions at PayPal and eBay. Based in Sydney, Carolyn holds a GAICD and a Marketing degree from the University of Wollongong.

Under Carolyn's leadership, Scalare Partners listed on the ASX in December 2023, which she described as the first tech accelerator to list in the country, and has pursued a growth-by-acquisition strategy including Tank Stream Labs, Tech Ready Women and Planet Startup.

She also holds board and advisory roles with Cape, Startup Grind, Tech Ready Women Academy and PayEd.

Carolyn explains that Scalare differs from traditional VC firms by taking an active, hands-on role supporting its portfolio companies, and she believes founders deserve to benefit financially from secondary sales and should prioritise their own salaries and wellbeing.

She champions diversity and supports female and underrepresented founders, and has argued for a circular startup economy where capital, lessons and relationships feed back into the next wave of founders.