Antler is a global early-stage VC that understands world class startups are built by exceptional entrepreneurs. This is why we bring together and invest in highly motivated people turning their vision into reality. Antler in Japan provides support by connecting our founders with subject matter experts, successful founders and mentors as well as early access to capital to help build and scale their startups.
We’re looking for people committed to turning their ambitious ideas into game-changing businesses. We work with founders regardless of background or geography—from experienced business operators to technologists and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re an individual or team at day zero or have been building your business for years, we are here to help as a partner obsessed with your success.
We typically work with aspiring entrepreneurs founders pre-idea and pre-team. By joining Antler, we help ambitious individuals find a co-founder(s), validate an idea, build a company and pitch for investment. If successful, companies join Antler's portfolio and receive continued support and access to our global network and resources.Founders can join one of our cohorts which take place regularly throughout the year.
Our 10-week intensive program focuses on team formation, idea and product-market fit validation, and business building to maximize our founders’ chance of success.
Form a team with other cohort participants through networking and workshops.
Mentoring and support by Antler members and advice from advisors as needed to brush up your idea.
You will have an opportunity to pitch our Investment Committee for pre-seed funding. If successful, Antler will invest up to 20 million yen.
We stand behind you for the entire life cycle of your company—through follow-up funding, tier-one VC access, and our truly global community that supports you in the long term.
Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the full process and will be available to answer all your questions. Our second cohort starts in October and we conduct interviews for the second cohort until August 10th.
Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the full process and will be available to answer all your questions. Our second cohort starts in October and we conduct interviews for the second cohort until August 10th.
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Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the full process and will be available to answer all your questions. Our second cohort starts in October and we conduct interviews for the second cohort until August 10th.
There has never been a better time to innovate and build a company that solves a meaningful problem. As the issues society faces become more complex, founders are more needed than ever to tackle them.
Ryo Umezawa is a Partner leading Antler’s expansion into Japan. Prior to Antler, Ryo was a Principal at East Ventures, Japan, an early stage venture capital firm. As a serial entrepreneur, Ryo founded two companies, including AllCoupon Japan (acquired), and was Japan’s country manager for companies such as Tinder, Homeaway (Expedia Group) and Hailo. Ryo spent 10 years in the Philippines prior to studying International Business and Economics at Sophia University in Tokyo. Ryo has been selected as a Leader of Tomorrow at the 40th + 44th St. Gallen Symposium, as well as one of the first members of World Economic Forum, Global Shapers Community (GSC) in its Tokyo hub.
Anzu is the Capital Director at Antler Japan. Anzu has worked with Neuberger Berman, the traditional global asset manager, as an institutional sale. She has raised over USD 1 billion for various products across the asset class, such as private equity, fixed income, and public equity. Prior to this, she has also worked with State Street Trust and Banking. Anzu enjoys building relationships and attracting strategic investors to help exceptional entrepreneurs build impactful businesses.
Mamiko started her career in HR and general affairs at AXELMARK INC., an advertisement and web services provider. In 2015, she joined DeNA Travel (now Airtrip Corp., an OTA company) as an HR specialist, and in 2018 she joined BEENOS Inc., a provider of cross-border e-commerce business. After gaining experience in a wide range of HR-related business domains, from planning to operations with a focus on recruitment, she has joined Antler Japan. At Antler, she is in charge of scouting motivated founders and supporting participants during the Cohort Program.
Yumiko is the Program Manager for Antler’s Japan Office. Prior to joining Antler, she worked in marketing at L’Oreal and Estee Lauder Companies, where she led successful projects in brand marketing and CRM. She was also engaged in multiple marketing projects and campaigns at Rakuten, helping it grow its ecosystem through a diverse portfolio of services. Born in Thailand, Yumiko grew up in Japan, Switzerland and UK and she is now based in Japan since she studied economics at University of Tsukuba.
Yuya is the Finance Manager of Antler Japan. Prior to joining Antler, he worked at Amazon Japan leading the business planning & data analytics of the multi billion dollar transportation business from a financial perspective. He specializes in aggregating & converting large amount of data & variables (via python & automation) into the most simplest extent to deliver tangible and meaningful outcome for the day to day decision making. Prior to Amazon he worked at InterContinental Osaka as head of finance. He graduated Keio University with a degree of Mechanical Engineering specializing in thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.
The program will be held completely in Japanese.
You must be able to participate on-site at the Toranomon WeWork and be able to participate full-time during the program period.
If you are employed by a company, you will need to take a leave of absence from your company, and if you are a student, you will need to take a leave of absence from your school before the program starts.
Yes, established corporations are eligible. However, if you have already raised external funding, you must meet Antler's investment criteria.
No, but the content of the idea will have an impact on the selection process. Engineers are not required to have an idea.
Unfortunately, we do not offer visa support at this time. Therefore, only Japanese nationals or residents are eligible to participate.
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