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← All autopsies·Spain·SaaS
// startup autopsy

Scytl

World leader in election technology. COVID cancelled all its customers.

runway zero
Founded2001
Closed2020
CountrySpain
SectorSaaS
Raised$100M
FounderPere Vallès

// the model, blind

Evaluating only Scytl’s profile at its peak — without knowing the outcome — the model ranked Competition as the #1 likely cause. Documented cause: Ran out of cash.

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Documented cause

Scytl was the world's leading provider of election technology, having processed votes in over 42 countries. It raised $100M from Vulcan Capital and others. In 2020 COVID-19 caused the cancellation or postponement of hundreds of elections globally — Scytl's entire revenue base. Unable to survive the collapse, Scytl filed for insolvency in June 2020 and was acquired by Paragon Group.

Lesson

“Market leadership in an event-driven market is concentrated risk, not a moat. When the event cycle pauses globally, your entire revenue base pauses with it. Diversify revenue streams before a black swan can.”

FAQ

Why did Scytl go bankrupt?

Scytl, the world's leading election technology company based in Barcelona, filed for insolvency in June 2020 because COVID-19 caused the cancellation of hundreds of elections globally — its only revenue source. It was acquired by Paragon Group.

Was Scytl a Spanish company?

Yes. Scytl was founded in Barcelona, Spain in 2001 and grew to become the world's leading provider of election technology, operating in over 42 countries before its 2020 collapse.

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// INVESTORS THAT BACKED SCYTL
Balderton Capital↗
VC
€25M – €50M
Serie B · Undisclosed
Industry Ventures
VC
Serie C · Serie B
Nauta Capital↗
VC
€1M – €7M
Pre-seed · Serie A
Adams Street Partners↗
VC
Venture · Serie C
Vulcan Capital
VC
Undisclosed · Seed
Vy Capital
VC
Serie B · Venture
SAP Ventures
VC
Undisclosed · Serie B