Antler backs micro1, the AI platform for human intelligence, in its USD $35 million Series A led by 01A

Updated, 25 September 2026: micro1 has raised more than USD $100 million at a USD $4 billion valuation, as reported by Forbes.

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micro1 connects the world's leading AI labs and enterprises with top human experts. Its AI recruiter, Zara, has conducted more than 500,000 interviews across 15 languages.

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SAN FRANCISCO, 12 September 2025 – Antler Elevate, Antler's growth-stage investment vehicle, has participated in micro1's USD $35 million Series A led by 01A. The round values micro1 at USD $500 million, according to the company.

micro1 connects the world's leading AI labs and enterprises with top human experts to create training data. Its AI recruiter, Zara, has conducted more than 500,000 interviews across 15 languages, reinforcing both micro1's human data business and its talent marketplace.

micro1 works with leading AI labs and Fortune 100 companies, including Microsoft. The company said it has reached a USD $50 million annual revenue run rate after 40% month-over-month growth.

"We backed micro1 because of its founder, Ali Ansari, a relentless operator building at remarkable speed who balances rapid growth with the pursuit of his broader vision," said Chris Millisits, Principal at Antler Elevate. "The world's leading AI labs and enterprises have an insatiable need for human data and specialized global talent. This is a rare category-defining company at the intersection of talent, AI and data, and we couldn't be more excited for micro1's next act."

micro1 was founded in 2022 by CEO Ali Ansari. The new funding will expand its research team, strengthen its data infrastructure and scale delivery across major AI labs.

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About Antler:

Antler is where founders 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 more than 25 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. To date, Antler has backed more than 2,000 startups globally, including Airalo, Lovable, Peec.AI, Reebelo, Wrtn, and Benjamin.

For founders who go on to build breakout companies, Antler Elevate—the $285M emerging growth fund—invests beyond the early stages, managed through offices in London, Singapore, and New York.

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Contact:

Rike Döpp Bergérus
VP, Global Communications
rike at antler.co
https://wa.me/0046706313538