The countable noun scale-up is of course derived from the phrasal verb scale up (= to make something larger in size or amount), on the model of start-up as a derivative of phrasal verb start up (= to bring a business or organization into existence). Start-up has been used in the business sense since the mid-seventies, though the first occurrence of it as a derived noun is very much older, dating right back to the 16th century.

The countable noun scale-up is of course derived from the phrasal verb scale up (= to make something larger in size or amount), on the model of start-up as a derivative of phrasal verb start up (= to bring a business or organization into existence). Start-up has been used in the business sense since the mid-seventies, though the first occurrence of it as a derived noun is very much older, dating right back to the 16th century.