SINGAPORE – 13 January 2026 – Antler Singapore today announced improved investment terms and a revamped 6-week residency for founders building global software companies with strong execution and a global mindset. Founders can now access up to $400,000 from inception, with a $150,000 net funding as the first ticket.

Since launching in Singapore in 2018, Antler has invested in over 1,600 companies globally, including category-defining businesses such as Airalo and Lovable. This track record informs a new approach: a more compact, execution-focused residency prioritizing rapid building and early traction.

"Our ambition is to continue backing outlier founders with global ambition who are committed to  building category-leaders," said Jussi Salovaraa, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Antler Asia. “We’re doubling down, but we’re also raising the bar - seeking founders with clear intent and exceptional execution.”

How Antler backs founders in 2026

More capital, faster. Founders receive up to $400,000 from inception, starting with $150,000 net as the first ticket. 

After working closely with the teams for 6 weeks, we back them with conviction through an investment of $150,000 for 10% equity, plus an additional equity amount that will be fixed at your next financing round. The investment is structured as below:

• $100,000 for 10% equity via SAFE
• $50,000 via an uncapped SAFE with a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause — see below
• Up to $250,000 committed matching capital at 50% of funding raised from other institutional investors (ARC)

That means you receive up to $400,000 at inception.

What’s MFN?

MFN (Most Favoured Nation) means your convertible note converts into equity at the best terms offered to any investor in your next round. It protects you from worse terms later, ensuring you always benefit from the most favourable valuation.

Longer term, our growth fund, Antler Elevate, can invest up to $25M at Series A and beyond.

What to Expect in the 6 Weeks

Shorter, sharper residency. Six weeks. That's it. The new format is built for founders at inception who arrive with a specific goal: prove their MVP, get real technical and commercial guidance, and line up their next funding round. Our partners work with your team hands-on to deliver direct feedback and introductions that move the needle. 

“Six weeks is enough time to build meaningful momentum if you come prepared,” added Rufus Sorsa, Associate Partner at Antler Singapore. “We focus on tangible outcomes: go-to-market traction, product progress, and the foundations for your next round.”

Antler's residency takes place in person in Singapore with one goal: supporting founders in building global-scale momentum, fast. Over 6 intense weeks, founders receive 1:1 mentorship from fund partners, work hands-on with early customers, refine their product, and collaborate with top-tier founder peers. 

There are no classrooms and no hand-holding. Founders work 1-on-1 with experienced partners who have built and scaled companies themselves. They join keynote sessions with world-class speakers and founders, and gain access to Antler's global network of advisors and operators across 27 cities around the world.

From day one, founders tap into $4 million in technical perks, including GPU credits and AI tools from partners like OpenAI, AWS, NVIDIA, and HubSpot. The goal is the most efficient path from validation to a venture-backed company.

For Antler-backed startups growing rapidly, Antler Embark offers a dedicated path to the US market. Embark is Antler's GTM-led post-investment initiative supporting pre-seed to seed-stage startups expanding from Southeast Asia to the US.

Who Is Antler Singapore For?

Going into 2026, Antler is for founders committed to building with resilience, pace, and global ambition. The Inception Residency is designed for high-conviction teams and proven founders with a validated problem and an early MVP.

Founders and teams should already have an idea and be actively working on it. You don't need a complete or polished product, but you should be able to clearly explain the problem you are committed to solving, who the ideal customer is, what you have tested so far, what insights you've gathered, and what you are planning to test next. Teams that are already in motion get the most value out of the residency. 

The next Singapore Inception Residency starts on 9 March 2026. Applications are now open here: www.antler.co/singapore.

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About Antler

Antler is where founders come to go further, faster.

Antler is the world’s most active early-stage investor, backing exceptional people at the very start of their journey and supporting them from inception to scale. Across 30 cities worldwide, including New York, San Francisco, London, Berlin, Bangalore, Singapore, Seoul, and Sydney, the firm helps founders remove the barriers to building by connecting them with world-class peers, validating business models, and providing initial capital. For founders who go on to build breakout companies, Antler Elevate, the firm’s flagship, emerging growth fund invests beyond the early stages.

To date, Antler has backed more than 1,600 startups globally across a wide range of industries and technologies with the goal of backing more than 6,400 by 2030.

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