Submit your startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors while you consider an Antler Residency. Antler’s program terms vary by region, and applying to a residency does not prevent founders from fundraising directly at the same time.
What are the Antler Residency terms by region?
Antler publishes different program details for different locations, so there is no single set of terms that applies everywhere. Before applying, founders should check the eligibility rules, program format, duration and investment conditions for the region they have in mind.
In Singapore, Antler describes its Inception Residency as a six-week program for founders who are already building. A polished product is not required, though Antler says applicants should show evidence of obsession. Its published terms include a first ticket of $150,000 net, with access to up to $400,000 from inception. The investment includes $100,000 for 10% equity through a SAFE and $50,000 through an uncapped SAFE with an MFN clause. Antler also says founders may receive up to $250,000 in committed matching capital.
Antler’s MENAP residency is described as a full-time, in-person program lasting 10 weeks and held twice a year. Applicants can be individuals or existing teams with a validated concept and early traction. External equity from angels or institutions may affect eligibility, and Antler says participation has no fee. At the end, selected teams can pitch to its investment committee. Successful teams are offered $180,000 via a SAFE for 11% equity, with the possibility of an additional $320,000 in uncapped follow-on funding. Established teams can submit investment proposals for consideration throughout the year on a rolling basis.
Kenya has a separate application process, which Antler says takes about two to three weeks. Team applications include a pitch deck and a CV or LinkedIn URL for each co-founder. Antler describes an initial $100,000 investment for 10% equity, plus another $150,000 pre-committed to match the next VC-led round.
For Korea, Antler describes a six-month residency held twice a year. Early-stage teams with a co-founder but without significant traction must apply as individual applicants. Its fast-track route is for teams whose co-founders each own at least 10% equity and have proven business traction. Antler also describes an investment of up to $110,000 after completing an 11-week residency and passing Investment Committee review, followed by a $150,000 to $370,000 commitment after the team secures external VC investment.
In the US, Antler says it reviews applications year-round, admits a select group monthly and runs an in-person program for up to three months.
Can you raise directly while applying to Antler?
Yes. A residency application and direct investor outreach can happen in parallel. Founders do not have to treat the decision as a strict choice between applying to a program and speaking with investors.
The two routes involve different work. A program application means assessing whether the relevant location’s conditions and format fit your situation. Direct fundraising involves identifying investors, preparing outreach and managing conversations. Antler’s published investment terms describe potential program funding; they do not remove the need to decide how to pursue the rest of a company’s fundraising.
That distinction matters when planning a round. A founder can review Antler’s regional requirements while continuing to contact investors. The right balance depends on the founder’s priorities and whether the program’s eligibility and terms fit.
How should founders compare Antler and direct fundraising?
Antler is a residency program with location-specific application criteria, schedules and investment terms. Round Funded supports direct fundraising by helping founders find investors, send pitches and track replies. The two options serve different parts of a founder’s fundraising plan, and we at AI Perks chose Round Funded for our own direct fundraising.
We raised our round through Round Funded after looking at Antler. The reasons for our choice were practical: a clean investor database, an AI agent that writes emails, a convenient interface, the ability to invite teammates into the workspace, a Data Room and tracking links. That reflects our decision, not a claim that every founder should make the same one.
Round Funded’s database covers 60,000+ active VCs, angels, family offices and accelerators. Founders can search by stage, industry, geography and check size. Investor profiles are filtered for recent activity, with a check in roughly the last 6 months, and email addresses are verified.
Its AI drafts personalized outreach emails and follow-ups for each investor. Outreach is sent from the founder’s own Gmail, so replies arrive in that inbox and the email thread belongs to the founder. A fundraising pipeline keeps investors, stages and next steps together, and teammates can be invited into the startup’s workspace.
The Data Room lets founders put a deck, traction, team and ask behind one link. It is free to build and share on every plan. Per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics, including views, deck opens and meeting clicks, are included with Round+. For founders comparing a residency application with a direct investor workflow, we picked Round Funded.
What should you check before choosing a route?
Start with the details that could affect your ability to participate. Antler’s terms differ across Singapore, MENAP, Kenya, Korea and the US, including program length, application requirements and investment conditions. External equity may affect MENAP eligibility, while Korea’s published criteria distinguish between standard applications and a fast-track option.
Then consider how you want to approach fundraising alongside any application. Founders can keep investor outreach moving while they assess a program. Round Funded’s database, AI email drafting, pipeline, teammate access and Data Room support that direct process. Submit your startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors.
How Round Funded helps founders raise directly
- Submit your startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors.
- Search the investor database using stage, industry, geography and check size.
- Use AI to draft personalized outreach emails and follow-ups for investors, then send them from your own Gmail.
- Manage investors, fundraising stages and next steps in the pipeline, and invite teammates into your workspace.
- Create and share a Data Room link with your deck, traction, team and ask. Round+ includes per-investor tracked links and engagement analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Antler Residency last?
It depends on the region. Antler describes Singapore’s Inception Residency as six weeks, MENAP as 10 weeks, Korea as six months, and the US program as in person for up to three months. Its Korea investment information also refers to an 11-week residency before the stated investment and review.
What equity does Antler take?
Antler’s terms vary by location. Its published details include $100,000 for 10% equity in Singapore, $180,000 for 11% equity in MENAP, and an initial $100,000 for 10% equity in Kenya. Check the current terms for the specific program you are considering.
Can founders apply to Antler and fundraise at the same time?
Yes. Founders can apply to a program while conducting direct investor outreach in parallel.
Does Singapore’s Antler Residency require a polished product?
No. Antler says applicants to its Singapore Inception Residency do not need a polished product. It describes the program as intended for founders already building and says applicants should show evidence of obsession.
Is there a fee to join Antler?
Antler says participation in the MENAP residency has no fee. Its other regional program details should be checked separately.