Antler

Antler takes a radically different approach to startup building: it starts before you even have a co-founder or an idea. The program recruits talented individuals, including engineers, operators, domain experts, and former founders, and puts them in a room together to form teams, develop ideas, and build companies from scratch. This "company builder" model is fundamentally different from traditional accelerators that accept existing teams with existing products.

The first phase of the Antler program is dedicated entirely to team formation and idea validation. Participants meet dozens of potential co-founders, run experiments, and pitch ideas to each other. After several weeks, teams that have formed and shown promising traction receive an investment from Antler. Teams that do not coalesce are not funded but leave with an expanded professional network.

Antler's global scale is remarkable for a firm founded in 2017. By operating in 27 cities, Antler can recruit talent from almost any major startup ecosystem. This gives it access to a diverse pool of founders and allows it to spot opportunities in emerging markets that US-centric accelerators miss. The firm has been particularly active in Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and South Asia.

The Antler program runs for approximately 6 months in two phases. Phase 1 (roughly 10 weeks) focuses on team formation and idea validation. Participants explore ideas, form teams, and validate assumptions. At the end of Phase 1, teams pitch to the Antler investment committee for an initial investment.

Phase 2 (roughly 3-4 months) is the traditional accelerator phase: funded teams work on building their product, acquiring initial customers, and preparing for external fundraising. Antler provides mentorship, workshops, office space, and access to its global investor network. The program concludes with a Demo Day.

Duration: ~6 months (10-week team formation + 3-4 month accelerator) Batch size: 50-80 individuals per cohort (not all form funded teams)

$100K-$150K pre-seed investment for approximately 10-12% equity upon passing the Phase 1 investment committee. Terms vary slightly by geography. Antler also provides follow-on funding for top performers.

• Airalo
• Podcast App
• Rendra
• NextBillion.AI
• Nuport Robotics
• Sampingan
• Bemyeye
• CoachHub

1. You can apply as an individual without a co-founder or idea. Antler is designed for exactly this situation.
2. Highlight your unique skills and domain expertise. Antler is looking for talented individuals who can contribute to a team.
3. Be open-minded about co-founders and ideas. Rigidly attached individuals do not thrive in the team-formation phase.
4. Show your ability to execute fast. The 10-week team formation phase requires rapid experimentation and pivoting.
5. If you already have a co-founder and idea, you can still apply. Some Antler cohorts accept existing teams, though this varies by location.