Antler, a venture capital firm known for investing in pre-seed startups, has a global presence with investments in regions like the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Asia. The firm was founded in 2017 and has expanded its operations to Africa, setting up its first office in Nairobi in 2019. Antler’s investment strategy focuses on fast-growing ecosystems in regions like Southeast Asia and Africa, aiming to support founders from the ideation stage to scaling their businesses.
Having backed several East African startups in its portfolio, Antler has made significant investments and provided support in validating ideas, finding co-founders, and securing additional capital for these startups. The firm is now venturing into Nigeria, appointing Anil Atmaramani as its West African partner.
Antler typically invests $100,000 for a 10% stake in Nigerian portfolio companies and can continue supporting them through subsequent funding rounds. The firm is also developing a debt plan to help startups access working capital. In addition to financial support, Antler assists founders in expanding to new markets by providing partnerships and regulatory guidance.
Antler’s approach involves investing early at the inception stage, focusing on scalable businesses that solve real problems. The firm emphasizes building a community for entrepreneurs to collaborate, access global networks, and develop transformative businesses. Through its structured support system, Antler aims to accelerate startups from idea to company formation.
In Nigeria, Antler remains sector-agnostic but intentional, recognizing the potential for innovation beyond traditional sectors like fintech. The firm seeks founders with deep domain knowledge, critical thinking skills, and resilience to thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic market. Antler utilizes a multi-channel approach to identify and vet prospective entrepreneurs, engaging with tech communities and hosting events to support early-stage founders.
Selected founders in Antler’s program receive stipends to cover living expenses, enabling them to focus entirely on building their businesses. The firm values individuals with prior entrepreneurial experience but places a higher emphasis on the ability to execute, adapt, and drive transformative change. Antler offers operational support, access to mentors, and a global network to help founders navigate challenges and scale their ventures.
Antler’s long-term commitment involves supporting founders through market fluctuations and providing structured pivots for ventures that face challenges. The firm aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem in Nigeria, enabling high-quality startups to scale globally and attract significant investment. Antler’s success is measured by the impact of the startups it backs in terms of revenue growth, job creation, and subsequent capital raised.