  We show that vector-like quarks in the fundamental or higher-dimensional
representations of QCD can generate the electro-weak scale in a
phenomenologically viable way by chiral symmetry breaking condensates. The
thereby generated scales are determined by numerically solving the
Dyson-Schwinger equation and these scales are sizable, because they grow with
the hard vector-like mass. Communicating such a scale to the Standard Model via
a conformally invariant scalar sector can dynamically generate the electro-weak
scale without a naturalness problem, because all non-dynamical mass scales are
protected by chiral symmetry. We present a minimal setup which requires only a
new neutral scalar with mass not too far above the electro-weak scale, as well
as vector-like quarks at the (multi-)TeV scale. Both are consistent with
current bounds and are attractive for future experimental searches at the LHC
and future colliders. Depending on the hypercharge of the vector-like quarks,
hadrons made of them are color-neutral bound states which would be interesting
Dark Matter candidates.
