The concept of Skale began nearly 10 years ago.
With backgrounds in food testing, design, and community platforms, and our deep appreciation for the power of food to improve lives, we were curious about how a “food measurement platform” might take shape in the digital context.
It started with an app. Then a second version. But, always as a side hustle (before side hustles became a thing).
We validated interest by consumers and companies for ways to connect more deeply with each other about the food they’re making, sourcing, buying and selling. Our conviction grew that this was a need that wasn’t being served adequately.
At the same time, we also observed the general awareness and visibility of all-things-food rise to unprecedented levels. Organic. All-natural. Gluten-free. Protein. The microbiome. The vagus nerve.
These issues were prevalent in our home, and we knew, the homes of many others.
Food is in our constant consciousness, not just because we’re often thinking about, planning or consuming food, but because so is everyone else.
But it needs collaboration. The experience of experiencing food with others. This brought us back to people and community.
How do we incorporate collaboration and interaction into our collective, shared experiences with food?
You can consume endlessly online, but it doesn’t really enrich your own experience with food. It’s hard to make things useful… You saw a recipe that looked great so you took a screenshot, or wrote it down, or relied on some antiquated method to try and capture the inspiration.
Or, you’re planning for a holiday meal and have a long group text going…
Who’s bringing what?
Who’s making what?
Where can we source the best ingredients?
Who has a dietary restriction we need to consider?
These are the collaborations and interactions we experience around organizing food in our lives. These are opportunities to work with other people. They’re also rich opportunities for inspiration. These are the opportunities we want to support.
That’s a brief history to how we’ve gotten to where we are today, with a little about where we intend to go. We hope it’s helpful perspective for you to understand that journey.
Principles
With a people-first ethos, Skale approaches its development deliberately.
It starts with people. With community. And we envision that community - you - being co-creators with us. You’re investors in what we’re building because we’re building it for you, with you. And if you’re investing, then we believe you should share in the value of what’s built.
You’re the creator. You’re involved in the interactions which make for each unique creation. It’s that process of creation and exploring together which excites and energizes us.
People
We’re building a vibrant community that helps our members positively impact their lives.
Projects
We’ll partner with our community to create products or services whose value can be shared by all.
Products
What we eat, where it comes from, and discovering and tasting the best in food inspires our interactions and what we can share together.