Program · Scout Program
500 Global Scout Program
500 Global Scout Program is 500 Global's scout program offering access to a vast network for sourcing early-stage startups.
- Application state
- Not currently accepting
Overview
What 500 Global Scout Program offers
What 500 Global Scout Program is
500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) is one of the world's most prolific early-stage venture capital firms, founded in 2010. The scout program is part of 500 Global's strategy to maintain a geographically distributed deal flow network. Scouts operate on a part-time basis, sourcing pre-seed and seed-stage startups from their local ecosystems and referring them into 500 Global's investment pipeline. The program leverages the firm's presence across 77 countries to identify founders that traditional VCs might miss.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- Scout Program
- Host organization
- 500 Global
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
What Scout program means
A scout program is a structured venture-capital program that recruits external people to help a fund discover, refer, evaluate, or sometimes invest in early-stage startups.
Open the glossary entryTerms and economics
Published program terms
- Investment
- $150,000
- Equity
- 6%
- Price
- Free
- Compensation
- Carry Share
Compensation and economics
Compensation typically includes carried interest on sourced deals, co-investment opportunities, and access to a global network of over 2,700 portfolio companies. Specific terms are not publicly disclosed.
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
The scout program aims to identify and support pre-seed and seed-stage startups that may be overlooked by traditional Silicon Valley-centric VCs. By leveraging a global network of scouts, 500 Global seeks to tap into diverse ecosystems and uncover innovative founders.
Eligibility
Scouts are typically operators, founders, and ecosystem builders embedded in startup communities globally.
Selection approach
The scout program operates primarily on an invitation and network referral basis. No formal public application process has been disclosed.
- Stages
- Pre-seed
- Regions
- Global
- Audience
- Founders · Operators
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- Remote
- Main location
- San Francisco, California, United States
- Engagement
- Part Time
Delivery model
The program operates remotely, allowing scouts to work from their local ecosystems.
Participation expectations
Scouts engage on a part-time basis, sourcing deals while maintaining their primary professional commitments.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Not currently accepting
- Admissions
- By Invitation
Published timeline
The program is ongoing with a rolling application process and no fixed cohorts.
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Participants gain visibility into 500 Global's deal flow and investment process, along with access to a vast network of portfolio companies.
Outcomes and track record
What the public record shows
Historical activity and reported outcomes provide context, not a guarantee of future results.
Reported outcomes
500 Global's portfolio includes 33 unicorns and over 120 companies valued at $100 million or more, including notable names like Grab, Bukalapak, and Canva.
Common questions
Program details at a glance
500 Global Scout Program is published in Upseed as a scout program program hosted by 500 Global. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.