Antler

Antler is a global day-zero investor founded in 2017 by Magnus Grimeland in Singapore. The firm backs exceptional individuals before they have a cofounder, company, or idea through structured residency programs. Now operates across 27-30 cities on 6 continents with $1B+ AUM. Has funded 1,500-1,800 startups. Investor base is 70% institutional including 19 sovereign backers.

Magnus Grimeland is a Harvard graduate, former McKinsey partner, and co-founder of Zalora. Raised $510M in January 2026 for US, Europe, and Asia funds ($250M allocated to US founders).

Antler invests in exceptional people, not ideas. Structured personality and aptitude assessments with 50-question cofounder-matching surveys. Cohorts are ~60-70 individuals per location. Phase 1 (10 weeks): cofounder matching and idea validation. Phase 2 (4 months): MVP, customers, revenue. 20-45% of founders receive investment. 8-10 companies formed per cohort.

Top sectors: Enterprise (693 investments), Consumer (315), Healthcare, Fintech, Sustainability. 74 AI investments in 2024 alone.

Residency-based program with in-person requirement during initial 6-8 weeks. $100K-$250K investment depending on location (US: $250K at $2.75M post-money). $2,500 relocation grant. Co-founder matching through systematic assessment. Access to 70 experienced partners with $15B+ combined exit value, 8,000+ entrepreneur network, 800+ advisors. Follow-on through Antler Elevate.

<p><strong>What are Antler's investment criteria?</strong></p><p>Antler focuses on early-stage investments, particularly at the inception stage. They look for exceptional founders with deep domain expertise, strong drive, resilience, and a full-time commitment to their startup. The firm invests in a diverse range of sectors, including AI, fintech, healthcare, and more.</p><p><strong>How can founders apply or pitch to Antler?</strong></p><p>Founders interested in applying can visit the <a href='https://antler.co/apply'>Antler application page</a>. The application process includes an online application, two interviews, and possibly additional tasks or interviews for some candidates.</p><p><strong>What makes Antler different from other VC firms?</strong></p><p>Antler's unique 'Day Zero' model allows them to invest before founders have a team or product. This approach enables them to create companies from scratch, matching technical and commercial co-founders, which is a core differentiator from traditional VC models.</p><p><strong>What is the typical check size for investments?</strong></p><p>Antler typically invests between $100,000 and $200,000 for 10-12% equity in the companies they support. The total capital commitment can range from $200,000 to $500,000 depending on the geography.</p><p><strong>What is Antler's post-investment involvement like?</strong></p><p>Antler provides ongoing support to portfolio companies, including access to a global network, resources for customer acquisition, and preparation for subsequent fundraising. They also have a structured residency program that includes co-founder matching and idea validation.</p><p><strong>What is the acceptance rate for Antler's residency program?</strong></p><p>Antler is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of less than 3% for their residency program. Out of a typical cohort of 90 participants, 15-20 individuals (7-10 startups) receive funding.</p>