An Antler application can be one part of a founder’s funding plan, while direct investor outreach is another. We at AI Perks looked at Antler and chose Round Funded for our fundraising, so this guide explains what to check and how the two paths differ.
What should founders know about the Antler application?
Antler does not have one application process that applies to every location. Its published requirements and investment terms differ across programs, including Singapore, MENAP, Kenya, Korea and the US. Before applying, founders should check the details for the specific residency they are considering, including eligibility, time commitment and investment terms.
An application is not the same as receiving investment. Antler describes potential funding associated with some programs, but those terms do not guarantee that every applicant will receive an investment. The selection process and requirements depend on the location.
It is also useful to separate the residency process from a direct fundraising process. An application may be one route to explore, while preparing materials and contacting investors directly is separate work. Founders can consider both at once rather than treating one as a substitute for the other.
How do Antler’s residency terms vary by location?
Antler’s published descriptions show why founders should review the local program rather than assume all residencies work alike.
- Singapore: Antler describes a six-week Inception Residency. Its published terms include $100,000 for 10% equity via SAFE, plus $50,000 via an uncapped SAFE with an MFN clause. Antler also describes up to $250,000 in committed matching capital. It states that the first ticket is $150,000 net and that the total from inception can reach up to $400,000. Antler says applicants should already be building, though a polished product is not required, and should show evidence of commitment.
- MENAP: Antler says applicants can apply individually and partner with others to develop an idea, or apply as an existing team with a validated concept and early traction. Prior external equity investment may affect eligibility. The residency is full-time and in person, with no participation fee, according to Antler. Selected teams can pitch to an investment committee at the end. Antler describes an initial $180,000 via SAFE for 11% equity for successful teams, with the potential for another $320,000 in uncapped follow-on funding.
- Kenya: Antler says completing the application takes about two to three weeks. Individual applicants provide a LinkedIn URL or CV. Teams provide a pitch deck and a CV or LinkedIn URL for each co-founder. Its stated initial ticket is $100,000 for 10% equity, with another $150,000 pre-committed to match the next VC-led round and terms.
- Korea: Antler describes a pre-seed investment of up to $110K (150M KRW) after an 11-week residency and Investment Committee review. Eligible teams need at least one co-founder with 10% or more equity and market validation through revenue or traction.
- US: Antler says it reviews applications year-round. It expects residents to let Antler hear their pitch first, prepare for pitch opportunities, consider feedback and take part professionally in the investment evaluation process.
These descriptions are Antler’s stated terms, not a promise of funding. The specifics founders should verify include the application materials, eligibility criteria, residency format and the terms that apply if a team is selected.
Can founders apply to Antler and raise directly?
Yes. Applying to a residency and raising directly from investors are different activities, so founders can work on them in parallel. A program application does not complete a direct investor round, and direct outreach does not determine the outcome of an application.
For a direct process, founders may need to prepare fundraising materials, identify potential investors and keep track of conversations and next steps. That work can continue while an application is being considered. The right approach depends on the founder’s plans and the terms of the particular program.
We at AI Perks raised our round through Round Funded. We chose it because of its clean investor database, AI agent that writes emails, convenient interface, teammate workspace, Data Room and tracking links. We looked at Antler, but chose Round Funded for our fundraising.
Round Funded helps founders find investors, send pitches and track replies. Its database covers 60,000+ active VCs, angels, family offices and accelerators, searchable by stage, industry, geography and check size. Investors are filtered to recent activity, with a check in roughly the last six months, and email addresses are verified.
The product also provides a fundraising pipeline for investors, stages and next steps. Its AI drafts personalized outreach emails and follow-ups for each investor. Outreach goes out from the founder’s own Gmail, so replies land in the founder’s inbox and the email thread belongs to the founder.
What does Round Funded offer for direct fundraising?
Founders can use Round Funded to organize investor research and outreach in one workflow. Teammates can be invited into the startup’s workspace. The Data Room lets founders build and share one link for their deck, traction, team and ask, at no charge on every plan. Per-investor tracking links and engagement analytics, including views, deck opens and meeting clicks, come with Round+.
Round Funded’s plans are Round+ at $99 a month, Round Pro at $249 a month, and Lifetime at $899 one-time. Round+ and Round Pro include a 3-day free trial for first-time accounts; there is no free tier. Round+ includes capacity for up to 2,500 investors in the CRM pipeline, email to up to 2,000 investors a month and 2,500 AI credits a month. Round Pro includes up to 5,000 investors in the pipeline, email to up to 10,000 investors a month, up to 6 connected inboxes and 5,000 AI credits a month. Lifetime includes everything in Round Pro, paid once.
For founders comparing an Antler application with a direct fundraising workflow, the distinction is the route: Antler describes location-specific residencies and possible program investment; Round Funded supports investor discovery, outreach and pipeline management. We chose Round Funded for our fundraising. Founders can submit a startup on Round Funded to get matched with investors.
How Round Funded helps founders manage fundraising
- Submit your startup to get matched with investors.
- Search the investor database by stage, industry, geography and check size.
- Use AI-drafted personalized emails and follow-ups, with outreach sent from your own Gmail.
- Keep investors, fundraising stages and next steps in the pipeline, and invite teammates into the workspace.
- Build and share a Data Room link for your deck, traction, team and ask. Round+ includes per-investor tracking links and engagement analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one Antler application for every country?
No. Antler’s stated application process, eligibility and investment terms vary by location. Review the requirements for the particular residency.
How long does an Antler application take?
It depends on the location. Antler says the Kenya application takes about two to three weeks to complete. Its US program reviews applications year-round, which is not a stated application duration.
Does applying to Antler mean a startup will receive funding?
No. An application is part of a program process, and the described investment terms are not a guarantee that every applicant will receive funding.
Can founders fundraise directly while applying?
Yes. Applying to a program and contacting investors directly are separate activities that can proceed at the same time.
Why did AI Perks choose Round Funded?
We chose it for the clean investor database, AI email-writing agent, convenient interface, teammate workspace, Data Room and tracking links. Founders can get matched with active investors through a direct fundraising workflow.