Charlotte Apperloo on product, diversity and her journey with Antler in Berlin

Antler was founded on the belief that people innovating is the key to building a better future. In our content series— "It All Starts with People"—we spotlight the exceptional founders we have the privilege of partnering with around the world. Each story is a window into their passions, motivations, and vision—the reasons they are building and the positive dent they are aiming to make in the world.

This time we sat down with Charlotte Apperloo to talk about her journey and why she decided to build her company with Antler in Berlin.

antler-germany

Author

Antler in Germany

Welcome to Antler, Charlotte! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

I am originally from the Netherlands. I came to Berlin about ten years ago, which was a very spontaneous decision. I studied Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Amsterdam but never really worked in this area. When I came to Berlin I started working in the marketing department of Zalando after which I transitioned to the marketing department of a travel tech company. One day, while experiencing a problem with a marketing tool we were using, I reached out to the product department and ended up landing a job there. I was there to fix my own problem, I was my own customer. It was an exciting challenge because I knew what needed to be built, but I had to learn everything about how to actually build a product along the way.

"I was there to fix my own problem. I was my own customer."

Why is now the right time to found your own start-up? 

I think most people that I've worked with know that I've always mentioned that I want to do my own thing. However, the timing was not right for me until recently. After working in various industries and experiencing different working environments, I now feel that I have gathered enough experience to start my own venture. I have been inspired by seeing others do it, and I now have the courage to go for it myself.

Additionally, I am driven by the lack of diversity within tech founder teams, and I believe that diverse teams are essential to building products that are truly representative of our society.

Can you elaborate on why you think diversity is important to build products? 

Diverse teams are crucial in creating products that are relevant to our society. Our society is diverse, and so the people building our companies and products should reflect that diversity. Having a diverse team can enhance the quality of a product by ensuring that it meets the needs of a diverse range of users. It can also foster innovation by bringing together different perspectives and ideas.

Why did you decide to build your company with Antler? 

I had been considering starting my own business for a while when a friend suggested I look into joining a program to help me along the way. That's when I discovered Antler. As a first-time founder, I felt that it was important to have support along the way, and that's exactly what Antler provides. I already had experience in building a product, validating it, and marketing it, but I knew that there was still a lot that I didn't know. Additionally, finding the right co-founder is critical when starting a company, and I found that Antler had the right people with the same mindset, ambitions, and drive.

"I felt that it was important to have support along the way, and that's exactly what Antler provides."

What surprised you the most since you joined Antler?

Initially, I was hoping to find an industry expert that had come with a specific problem to the program. However, I quickly realized that it was more important to find someone with whom I had a real connection and shared the same values. My focus shifted to finding someone with whom I could work closely with over the coming years. I was fortunate enough to find that match, and we are now exploring ideas and getting to know each other on a deeper level to see if we can make it work in the long term.

What are you currently working on and where do you want to be by the end of the year?

Oh, that’s a difficult question. In the first weeks, it is quite intense. You learn a lot, meet new people, you are ideating, and brainstorming. It is like a roller coaster. One day you think you have it all figured out and the next day you are asking yourself ‘What am I doing?!’. But then you realize that everyone is going through the same process and we support each other. I would say trust the process, enjoy the ride and try to make the best out of it.

"Trust the process, enjoy the ride, and make the best out of it."

I am also really grateful for the co-founder I have found here. We both support each other, we are encouraging each other even though it is hard sometimes. Especially when you have been working on something for days or weeks and then you do the validation and have to throw the idea to the bin.

Where do you see yourself in one year?

Everything is still in the open but I hope that I will get to work on a problem that I truly believe in with people who are as driven as I am to solve this problem.

Do you have any tips for people who are thinking about founding their own business?

I think that if you want to found your start-up, Antler is definitely the place to be. It is helpful for all the reasons I have mentioned before and I want to emphasize again that finding a co-founder is crucial and this is the place where you will find like-minded people who are 100% committed.

Secondly, I think that gaining experience in a hyper-growth environment also helps. I worked at Flink and other startups, but also established companies and it really helped me to get an insight into how things are done in different stages of a company. Surround yourself with highly skilled people who will enhance your own growth and development.

Lastly, I would like to say just do it. Entrepreneurship is like jumping into cold unknown water and you have to trust yourself that you can learn how to swim.

Do you have a recommendation for a book or podcast or any other media that you get your inspiration from or learn from?

As a product person, I'm a very big Marty Cagan fan. His insights into product development are invaluable. However, it's important to remember that product development is not to be done exactly by the book. Learn from your customers, whether through feedback, surveys, or direct communication. Always seek for new sources of inspiration, go to meet-ups, and talk to your customers as often as you can.

To find the people and funding you need to build a world-changing company, apply to an Antler residency.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest news and views from Antler’s global community

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Must-read articles from Antler

Browse our collection of founder stories, industry insights and latest startup successes from Antler Australia

See articles
Insights
5 min read
A window into progress: A look inside the world's day zero investor

As we approach the fifth anniversary of our first investments, we are excited to share A Window into Progress, a report that captures the breadth, depth, and impact of Antler’s global community, which continues to grow and strengthen through the downturn.

Founder Stories
5 min read
Carl Prins: The financier on a mission to decarbonize the global economy

Our content series "It All Starts with People" delves into the passions, motivations, and vision of the exceptional founders we have the privilege of partnering with around the world. Read the story of Carl Prins and his personal quest to help avert the climate crisis through Pathzero.

Insights
5 min read
Books every founder should read in 2023

Harry Truman once said: “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” The source of myriad mental and physical benefits, it’s no wonder highly successful entrepreneurs and business leaders frequently credit obsessive reading as instrumental to their outperformance. In honor of UNESCO World Book Day, Antler is excited to share books every founder should read in 2023.

Founder Stories
5 min read
Sarah Hilmy: Inspiring friends and families to discover the world together

“Holidays are a way for you to enrich your own life. It's about going out and experiencing things that you otherwise wouldn't experience in your everyday life, trying new food, meeting new people, and just learning more about the world in a first-hand way.” —Sarah Hilmy, co-founder of travel platform Oddysee.

Insights
5 min read
50 creators to watch in 2023

As the creator economy continues to grow, expand, and evolve, we've curated a list of 50 exciting leaders to watch in this space. Influencers. Journalists. Operators at prominent creator-related platforms. Founders. These are the players—seen and unseen—who underpin the global creator ecosystem.

Founder Stories
5 min read
Sharon Li & Vanessa Chen: Empowering employees to be their healthiest and most productive selves

“People sometimes think the emotional and professional are conflicting, but what we believe is when people love their organization, the emotional value will actually make them productive. It will make them give their full self to the organization and make the organization grow for the long term.” —Sharon Li, co-founder and CEO of CHOYS

Insights
5 min read
The 2023 Creator Economy: A new direction

Our creator economy insights series—starting with our ultimate guide to the creator economy in May 2021—has tracked the explosion of a sector that upended the professional aspirations of the next generation. Today, as uncertainty and macroeconomic challenges pervade, how are creators pivoting and what does it mean for the sector's future?

Founder Stories
5 min read
Piet Hein van Dam: The seasoned data entrepreneur aiming to eradicate type 2 diabetes

Our content series "It All Starts with People" delves into the passions, motivations, and vision of the exceptional founders we have the privilege of partnering with around the world. Bringing a clarity of vision to our latest spotlight is Piet Hein van Dam, co-founder of Clear, the award-winning digital self-help tool for diabetes patients.