Antler

Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Singapore, dedicated to supporting exceptional founders from "Day Zero" to building impactful, scalable companies globally. Established in 2017 by Magnus Grimeland and Fridtjof Berge, Antler launched its first program in Singapore in 2018 and has since expanded its presence to over 30 cities across six continents. The firm distinguishes itself with a unique model that combines elements of a business incubator and a startup accelerator, focusing on identifying talented individuals and assisting them in finding co-founders, validating business ideas, and developing minimum viable products.

The firm's core philosophy revolves around its "Day Zero" investment approach, meaning it invests in founders at the very inception of their entrepreneurial journey, often before they have a solidified team or even a concrete business idea. Antler's rigorous selection process identifies individuals with strong backgrounds, domain expertise, and a drive to execute. This distinctive strategy aims to de-risk early-stage venture building by providing critical support such as co-founder matching, mentorship from experienced operators and investors, and access to a vast global network. Antler focuses on removing barriers for early-stage technology entrepreneurs.

Antler's investment mandate spans a diverse range of sectors, including enterprise, fintech, health, artificial intelligence, education, biotechnology, consumer goods, logistics, Web3/crypto, climate, and cybersecurity. While primarily focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, Antler also provides follow-on capital up to Series C through its Antler Elevate fund. This comprehensive support structure ensures a long-term partnership with founders, from their initial idea through growth and scaling.

Key achievements highlight Antler's significant impact on the global startup ecosystem. In 2024, PitchBook recognised Antler as the "Most Active Venture Capital Globally," completing 443 deals. Dealroom also acknowledged Antler as a top AI investor. The firm has invested in over 1,500 startups globally, with notable successes including the creation of two unicorns, Airalo and Lovable. As of early 2026, Antler manages over US$1 billion in assets, having recently closed new global funds totalling $510 million in January 2026, further solidifying its capacity to back future industry-defining companies. The firm has successfully nurtured two unicorn companies, Airalo and Lovable.

The leadership team at Antler is comprised of seasoned entrepreneurs, experienced operators, and investors. Magnus Grimeland serves as the Founder and CEO, bringing a background from McKinsey and co-founding Zalora. Fridtjof Berge is a Co-founder and Chief Business Officer. Other key figures include Jussi Salovaara, Co-founder and Managing Partner Asia, and Karl-Christian Agerup, Chief Investment Officer. This experienced team leverages their collective expertise to guide founders and drive Antler's global strategy, reinforcing its mission to back the world's most ambitious individuals in solving meaningful global challenges.