BUILD YOUR COMPANY WITH ANTLER IN THE MIDDLE EAST

We are one of the most active early-stage investors in the world, enabling the most driven people to build companies that move the world forward. We invest from the pre-seed stage and continue to be a long-term partner as your company grows. In the evolving tech hubs of Riyadh, KSA and Dubai, UAE, we bring together entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to build the defining companies of tomorrow.

Our value-add to founders, in a nutshell:

  1. Find your co-founders: Meet ~75 exceptional potential co-founders selected from over 3,000 applicants and build your network with a like-minded community.
  2. Validate your idea: Masterclasses packed with learnings from 900+ investments and personalized coaching from serial entrepreneurs and MENAP ecosystem experts.
  3. Access capital: First investment of $180k for 11% of equity, fast-track incorporation and legal documentation, and startup scaling support through our local and global network.

Applications have now closed for our Riyadh Cohort.

Who is Antler in MENAP for?

We’re looking for experienced business operators, serial entrepreneurs, technologists, or domain experts who can motivate themselves and others to join their mission to build a game-changing business.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur seeking a co-founder or an idea, or an early-stage startup seeking to expedite your growth, Antler is the ideal environment to bring your vision to life.

We accept applications from both individuals and teams.

Pre-Launch

Individual Founders

Pre-idea and pre-product. Exceptional founders can join Antler before the inception of their company to find a co-founder(s) and receive their initial funding. We support these founders through co-founding team formation, idea validation, personalized coaching from serial entrepreneurs and MENAP ecosystem experts, access to the world’s largest-growing community of like-minded entrepreneurs, and a first investment of $180k for 11% of equity.

Pre-Seed

Complete Teams

Completed teams with an idea at hand are also welcome to join Antler residency. Teams are generally at the stage of validating their idea, building the early product, or having gained initial traction. Here we also stay very close to the team and provide, for example, dedicated expert sparring sessions, industry connections, and a strong global network of VCs and angels to access funding at the right time. This residency runs in parallel to the one with individual founders but may include a potential Investment Committee meeting already in Week 7 with fixed terms of $180k for 11% of equity.

We back the best from the very beginning. Then back them again.

From day one, we provide access to co-founder matching, personalized coaching, access to a local and global network of founders and advisors, MENAP ecosystem expertise, day zero investment and support with follow-on funding. Having invested in 900+ companies and supported 6000+ entrepreneurs through our programs in 20 countries, we know what works and what doesn't. This helps us better support our founders and help maximize their chances of success.

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Find your co-founder and build your network

  • Meet ~75 exceptional potential co-founders; tech, commercial, and domain experts selected from over 3,000 applicants.
  • Join a supportive and like-minded community that is committed to an in-person and full-time program.
  • Receive a $4,000 program grant, free office space, and $500k worth of founder perks.

Validate and launch your idea

  • Learn from master classes and workshops packed with our learnings from 900+ startup investments across 20+ countries.
  • Get personalized coaching and mentorship from the Antler team and venture partners who bring entrepreneurial backgrounds and MENAP ecosystem expertise.
  • Create a robust pitch deck and get your team ready to present in front of the investment committee.

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Access capital and scale your business

  • Pitch for your first investment of $180k for 11% of equity and fast-track your incorporation and legal documents with us.
  • Build your MVP and access a network of prominent investors to raise your next round.
  • Scale with our local and global network of private and public strategic partners, advisors, founders, and industry experts and receive follow-on investments from Antler.


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Application process

The full application process takes about 2 weeks to complete. Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the full process and will be available to answer all your questions. All of our interviews are done online.

Applications have now closed for our Riyadh Cohort.

Apply

Apply on apply.antler.co using your LinkedIn account or CV and fill out a short questionnaire.

Kick-off session

Join a session with Antler team leadership to learn about the program, founder selection criteria, commercial terms, and the next steps. Use this session as an opportunity to ask any questions and understand whether our program is a right fit for you.

Intro interview

In this interview, we hope to learn more about your passions, domain expertise, and previous experiences driving projects forward, amongst other topics. We are also keen to share further information on how we can tangibly support you.

Partner interview

Here, we uncover your personal attributes aligned to launching and scaling a company such as creative problem solving, execution, leadership, and grit, in addition to how you are a leader in your industry or skill specialism, growth mindset, and intellectual aptitude.

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Application process

The full application process takes about 2 weeks to complete. Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the full process and will be available to answer all your questions. All of our interviews are done online.

Applications have now closed for our Riyadh Cohort.

Apply

Apply on apply.antler.co using your LinkedIn account or CV and fill out a short questionnaire.

Kick-off session

Join a session with Antler team leadership to learn about the program, founder selection criteria, commercial terms, and the next steps. Use this session as an opportunity to ask any questions and understand whether our program is a right fit for you.

Intro interview

In this interview, we hope to learn more about your passions, domain expertise, and previous experiences driving projects forward, amongst other topics. We are also keen to share further information on how we can tangibly support you.

Partner interview

Here, we uncover your personal attributes aligned to launching and scaling a company such as creative problem solving, execution, leadership, and grit, in addition to how you are a leader in your industry or skill specialism, growth mindset, and intellectual aptitude.

Offer to join Antler

Once we have made an offer, the next steps are simple. You’ll sign an Antler Founder Agreement and shortly after, we will send you a welcome package containing instructions on how to participate in our pre-program activities to prepare you for your first day, including getting to know the other founders in your program ahead of time.

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Application process

The full application process takes about 2 weeks to complete. Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the full process and will be available to answer all your questions. All of our interviews are done online.

Applications have now closed for our Riyadh Cohort.

Apply

Apply on apply.antler.co using your LinkedIn account or CV and fill out a short questionnaire.

Kick-off session

Join a session with Antler team leadership to learn about the program, founder selection criteria, commercial terms, and the next steps. Use this session as an opportunity to ask any questions and understand whether our program is a right fit for you.

Intro interview

In this interview, we hope to learn more about your passions, domain expertise, and previous experiences driving projects forward, amongst other topics. We are also keen to share further information on how we can tangibly support you.

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Entrepass Partner

Our team

Meet the people dedicated to our founders’ success.

Dr. Jonathan Doerr
Partner

Jonathan is the Co-Founding Partner at Antler MENAP. He has a proven track record of successfully building ventures across diverse markets. Before Antler, Jonathan founded Smileneo, a direct-to-consumer health tech business in the MENA region, which was acquired in 2023. He also served as the Co-CEO of Daraz, the leading online marketplace in South Asia, acquired by Alibaba in 2018. Additionally, Jonathan held the position of Managing Director at Jumia, the leading online marketplace in Africa that went public on the NYSE in 2019.

Romain Assunção
Partner

Romain is the Co-Founding Partner at Antler MENAP. He has served as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company in Dubai / Riyadh offices, where he notably helped governments in MENAP to foster startup and tech ecosystems. Prior to that, he focused on go-to-market functions within Amazon, Rocket Internet / Jumia, and L'Oreal. Romain holds an MBA from London Business School and is a member of Tomouh Community of Leaders.

Hala Ebrahim
Director, Investments

Hala is an Investment Director at Antler MENAP, based out of the Riyadh office. She has over 16 years of experience in program management, strategic comms, and business consulting, having worked with a range of startups, investors, and government entities in the MENA region. Most recently, Hala worked at Brinc MENA, where she led the expansion and program setup with regional entities such as NEOM, Omantel, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund.


Zade Al Borshaid
Manager, Investments

Zade is an Investment Manager at Antler MENAP. He was previously at McKinsey's Middle East Office, where he worked on engagements at the cross section of their Digital and PE/Principal Investor practices. He mainly focused on strategy work around funding startup ecosystems, investment and set up strategies for vertical-specific VC/Growth PE investment funds, and investment processes for institutional investors. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Economics and hails from Bahrain.

Akshat Agarwal
Manager, Investments

Akshat is an Investment Manager at Antler MENAP, based out of the Riyadh office. He was the first employee in both Antler MENAP Fund I and Antler Australia Fund I. He has led and supported several roles in startups ranging from Fintech, Edtech, and SaaS. Prior to Antler he led a NFP, Textbook Ventures with the aim of educating all students in Australia about entrepreneurship.

Anne-Maria Salmela
Associate, Investments

Anne is an Investment Associate at Antler MENAP, based out of the Riyadh office. She co-founded a UAE-based student startup community, Violet Ventures, which brought Slush to the Middle East and supported 700+ young founders with programs and training. Prior to Antler, she worked in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, impact VC, growth at Nasdaq’s impact-data provider, right-hand for family office investors, amongst others.

Hollie Stoner
Manager, Finance

Hollie is the Finance Manager at Antler MENAP. She has over 7 years of experience in finance, having held senior roles across property, parking, and technology industries. Prior to Antler, she worked in Dubai as the Finance Manager of a digital identity start-up.

Hosam Arab
Venture Partner

Hosam is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Tabby. Prior to that, he co-founded Namshi.com and received an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Sabine El Najjar
Venture Partner

Sabine is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. She has 8+ years experience in consulting focused on financial services, real estate, and digital transformations. She also led the growth of Kitopi KSA, the world's largest multi-brand restaurant, in her role as managing director and is currently launching prop-tech company SIlkhaus KSA as Founding GM. In her roles, she has gained significant experience in scaling start-ups in KSA.

Florian Jansen
Venture Partner

Florian is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. He co-founded and led the fashion ecosystem Lamoda, and spearheaded Russia’s largest retailer Magnit through its transformation. Being focused on MENA, Florian runs the IT service & investment firm FJX and serves the board of noon.

Leonard Stiegeler
Venture Partner

Leo is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. He is a serial entrepreneur & investor, having set up and funded companies in different regions. He founded & scaled the leading digital media company in Africa, Pulse, which today has platforms in 6 countries across the continent and was acquired in 2022. His investments include ventures in Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce and Health Tech across the world.

Baghdad Gherras
Venture Partner

Baghdad is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. He works at the intersection of Web 3.0 and Data Science for an Abu Dhabi based conglomerate contributing to the launch of several ventures including Zand Bank. He was one of the pioneers in Data Science in the region, being a professional working with organizations such as RTA, UAE Prime Minister Officer, MAF, etc. Lecturer at IE Business School and RIT Dubai or Community Builder with Google.

Baghdad Gherras
Venture Partner

Baghdad is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. He works at the intersection of Web 3.0 and Data Science for an Abu Dhabi based conglomerate contributing to the launch of several ventures including Zand Bank. He was one of the pioneers in Data Science in the region, being a professional working with organizations such as RTA, UAE Prime Minister Officer, MAF, etc. Lecturer at IE Business School and RIT Dubai or Community Builder with Google.

Leonard Stiegeler
Venture Partner

Leo is a Venture Partner at Antler MENAP. He is a serial entrepreneur & investor, having set up and funded companies in different regions. He founded & scaled the leading digital media company in Africa, Pulse, which today has platforms in 6 countries across the continent and was acquired in 2022. His investments include ventures in Fintech, SaaS, eCommerce and Health Tech across the world.

Hala Ebrahim
Director, Investments

Hala is an Investment Director at Antler MENAP, based out of the Riyadh office. She has over 16 years of experience in program management, strategic comms, and business consulting, having worked with a range of startups, investors, and government entities in the MENA region. Most recently, Hala worked at Brinc MENA, where she led the expansion and program setup with regional entities such as NEOM, Omantel, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund.


Romain Assunção
Partner

Romain is the Co-Founding Partner at Antler MENAP. He has served as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company in Dubai / Riyadh offices, where he notably helped governments in MENAP to foster startup and tech ecosystems. Prior to that, he focused on go-to-market functions within Amazon, Rocket Internet / Jumia, and L'Oreal. Romain holds an MBA from London Business School and is a member of Tomouh Community of Leaders.

Anne-Maria Salmela
Associate, Investments

Anne is an Investment Associate at Antler MENAP, based out of the Riyadh office. She co-founded a UAE-based student startup community, Violet Ventures, which brought Slush to the Middle East and supported 700+ young founders with programs and training. Prior to Antler, she worked in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley, impact VC, growth at Nasdaq’s impact-data provider, right-hand for family office investors, amongst others.

Akshat Agarwal
Manager, Investments

Akshat is an Investment Manager at Antler MENAP, based out of the Riyadh office. He was the first employee in both Antler MENAP Fund I and Antler Australia Fund I. He has led and supported several roles in startups ranging from Fintech, Edtech, and SaaS. Prior to Antler he led a NFP, Textbook Ventures with the aim of educating all students in Australia about entrepreneurship.

Hollie Stoner
Manager, Finance

Hollie is the Finance Manager at Antler MENAP. She has over 7 years of experience in finance, having held senior roles across property, parking, and technology industries. Prior to Antler, she worked in Dubai as the Finance Manager of a digital identity start-up.

Zade Al Borshaid
Manager, Investments

Zade is an Investment Manager at Antler MENAP. He was previously at McKinsey's Middle East Office, where he worked on engagements at the cross section of their Digital and PE/Principal Investor practices. He mainly focused on strategy work around funding startup ecosystems, investment and set up strategies for vertical-specific VC/Growth PE investment funds, and investment processes for institutional investors. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Economics and hails from Bahrain.

Dr. Jonathan Doerr
Partner

Jonathan is the Co-Founding Partner at Antler MENAP. He has a proven track record of successfully building ventures across diverse markets. Before Antler, Jonathan founded Smileneo, a direct-to-consumer health tech business in the MENA region, which was acquired in 2023. He also served as the Co-CEO of Daraz, the leading online marketplace in South Asia, acquired by Alibaba in 2018. Additionally, Jonathan held the position of Managing Director at Jumia, the leading online marketplace in Africa that went public on the NYSE in 2019.

News and views from Antler

Read our latest insights and stories about our phenomenal founders.

View all
Antler launches $60 million MENAP fund

Antler launches a $60m MENAP fund led by partners Dr. Jonathan Doerr and Romain Assunção with plans to invest in 100+ startups in the next four years. Antler is replicating its proven global track record from across six continents to boost early-stage investing in MENAP.

Antler’s $285M emerging growth fund backs tomorrow’s industry leaders

Antler is thrilled to have closed Antler Elevate, a $285 million emerging growth fund that backs the next generation of game-changing founders across 20+ technology ecosystems, propelling them on their paths to greatness.

Abraham Burak: The digital nomad delivering instant connectivity worldwide

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 Abraham Burak and Bahadir Ozdemir, co-founders of Airalo, who are on a mission to make connectivity around the world accessible and affordable.

Under the hood: How Antler sources and assesses great founders

Our Window into Progress digital event series continues with "Under the Hood"—a deep dive into the rigor and scale that makes Antler unique as we source and assess tens of thousands of founders across six continents.

A fresh take on early-stage VC: Harvard Business School publishes a case study on Antler

Harvard Business School (HBS) recently published a case study about Antler’s fresh approach to early-stage venture capital. Antler Co-Founder Fridtjof Berge shares thoughts on how the case sparks discussion about the best ways to identify and support great people anywhere on earth.

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.

FAQs

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