A startup scout is a person that helps venture capital firms discover new startups to invest in. A startup scout can also be known as a venture partner, venture scout, VC scout, etc.
From a startup perspective, a scout can provide an introduction to a venture capital firm often bridging a geographical or demographic gap. For example when a African-American led startup based in the US Mid-West with no connections with Silicon Valley investors is scouted by an active scout in both communities.