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With Australia’s VC market increasingly concentrated and the EOY shutdown approaching, pre-seed founders need to start earlier, target the right investors and choose a process that can actually close before year-end.

An Australian startup turned missed calls into a $1.9M ARR business — and it's just landed in the US.

From day zero to VC-ready: Inside the largest cohort of entrepreneurs building Australia's next generation of category-defining companies.

The difference between a deck that gets read and a deck that gets funded.

The unfiltered truth: Two founders on battling self-doubt, navigating the 2% funding gap, and why the biggest success comes from building before you feel ready.

Inside Antler, through two pivots, and into a new category: the infrastructure layer for AI agents in enterprise.

Applications are open for Antler Australia's residency. Here's what happens inside the program, why founders move faster than they would alone, and what the investment actually looks like.

Most founders wait for a market to form before they build. Harrison Kennedy did the opposite. Years before demand crystallised, before organisations knew what to look for, and before the problem had a category, he was already designing the solution.

From 2,000 applications, 57 founders have been selected. They will spend 10 weeks in an intensive early-stage venture generation program building category-defining businesses and achieving some of the most meaningful work of their lives.

Your valuation should not be too hot (high), nor too cold (too low), not too hard nor too soft, but just right like Goldilocks's preferred bowl of porridge.

What early-stage building demanded of founders in 2025.

Antler's 14th residency is revealing a new wave of calculated Australian startups. 70 exceptional founders selected from over 2,000 applicants are tackling fundamental problems in healthcare, space, finance, education, and research with AI as a practical tool, not a trendy vibe-coded gimmick. From serial entrepreneurs to NVIDIA engineers and exited entrepreneurs, these outlier founders are building the infrastructure and solutions that matter long-term, choosing substance over hype in response to a maturing, more risk-averse investment landscape.

James McClure, General Partner at Antler Australia, explores 100 unique, complex, and untapped AI startup ideas that can’t be vibe-coded in a weekend - spanning sovereign GPUs, low-bandwidth AI, multi-agent systems, neurotech, synthetic audiences, and hypersonic space navigation. These high-barrier opportunities are launchpads for domain experts and builders in deep tech, regulated, scientific, or frontier domains. Read more below and join Antler’s residency to build them now.

Learn how to validate a startup idea like a VC-backed founder. This no-fluff guide covers 6 proven customer validation steps - from identifying your ICP to asking for real commitment. Featuring scrappy, creative strategies and stories from real founders in Antler's Australian portfolio who nailed early traction. Perfect for early-stage entrepreneurs, product builders, and aspiring founders looking to avoid the #1 startup killer: building something no one wants.

From AI scribes to backend automation, these are the 6 Australian healthtech trends shaping the future - and where early-stage founders and VCs should focus.

Antler has announced the new investments from its 12th Australian residency utilising AI across a variety of sectors. Backed by Antler’s ARC model and global AI focus, these founders are on a mission to scale rapidly and reshape industries.

Antler’s latest Australian residency is now open for applications with $6M ready to invest into AI-powered founders across all sectors. This residency includes increased initial investments and valuations, expanded support across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and access to Antler’s global capital pathway for successful founders. Whether you're a domain expert, commercial or technical founder, or serial entrepreneur, this is your chance to build with backing from the world’s most active early-stage VC.

As Australia heads into its next federal election, AI is more than just a tech trend - it’s a national priority. From sovereign GPU clouds to AI-driven security and edge intelligence, James McClure, Antler in Australia's General Partner, thinks these 10 ideas could strengthen economic resilience, safeguard critical infrastructure, and position Australia as a global leader in AI.

Discover how Tia Collings (Enaxiom) and Tanmay Patel (Lyngo) left steady careers to launch startups, with insights on entrepreneurship, co-founder matching, idea validation, and Antler's role in their journeys.

From AI to Climate Tech and HR solutions, these four Australian women-led startups have raised a total of $14 million in funding while overcoming systemic challenges in venture capital. With remarkable trajectories, these women are solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Discover their journeys, successes, and advice for aspiring founders.

Learn how corporate leaders, Ben Chamberlain and Vandana Chaudhry, became VC-backed startup founders with Antler's support.

We dive into the latest Cut Through Quarterly report to reveal how Antler’s day-zero approach to supporting startups drives a more inclusive, high-growth ecosystem.

Founders Kshitija Deshmukh (FOBOH) and Nathan Spiteri (Shopfront) share how Antler’s day-zero support helped them build successful startups.

Applications are now open for Antler in Australia’s 13th residency. With our new Brisbane residency kicking off in February 2025, alongside Sydney and Melbourne, we’re offering aspiring founders the chance to secure long-term funding, expert guidance, and co-founder matching. Read more about our residency, the new $77M fund, and the new investment structure that aims to support over 100 pre-seed startups across Australia.

Watch this space to see the exceptional businesses these founders form in just 10 weeks.

Antler is charting a new course for innovation by expanding our presence in Australia. We are launching in Queensland and partnering with the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). Supported by the Queensland Government's Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund (QVCDF), the partnership is poised to transform the state's innovation sector. With a focus on bridging the early-stage funding gap, Antler and QIC are committed to attracting and nurturing the nation's top talent, driving forward Queensland's position on the global innovation stage.

Dive into a coveted list of 10 forward-thinking startup ideas curated by James McClure, Partner at Antler in Australia, for entrepreneurs looking to make an impact. Spanning generative AI, modular housing, B2B due diligence, and beyond, these opportunities reflect the evolving landscape of tech and societal needs. Whether it's leveraging proprietary content for LLMs, innovating in the housing market, or pioneering quantum high-frequency trading, these ideas not only address current challenges but also open up new avenues for monetisation and growth.

Antler's eleventh Australian residency marks a new era of innovation and talent, welcoming over 70 exceptional founders from diverse backgrounds. Featuring increased selectivity and experienced participants, this cohort is set to redefine startup success over the coming years. Discover the unique blend of expertise, global insights, and entrepreneurial spirit fuelling this transformative journey.

From business model sustainability to the importance to owning your distribution channels, hear what the founders of some of our portfolio companies had to say.

2023 was a year of resilience and adaptation in venture capital. Antler in Australia's partners, James McClure and Mike Abbott, provide a comprehensive retrospective on the challenges and transformations within the venture capital and startup sectors in 2023. They highlight the effects of economic shifts on investments and startup strategies, with a focus on evolving investment approaches during uncertain times. Looking forward to 2024, they present a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Australian ecosystem, underscoring the achievements of Antler and its portfolio companies in this turbulent year.

Dive into the dynamic world of Antler in Australia’s portfolio of startups where generative AI is not just an aid but a catalyst for groundbreaking innovation. This article offers an in-depth look at how early-stage startups across various sectors are utilising AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Salesforce AI's Blip-2 to transform their operations and accelerate growth.

Discover SiteHive's groundbreaking approach to mitigating industry pollution through advanced environmental monitoring. Learn how SiteHive grew from the first cohort at Antler in Australia to creating real-time SiteHive Hexanode technology that is transforming the construction and mining sectors, fostering sustainable development and eco-conscious operations, and ensuring industry compliance with environmental standards.

The Startup Muster 2023 report is back after a 5-year break, and Antler is thrilled to be a sponsor alongside Atlassian, The Gild Group, Microsoft, and the NSW Government. Dive into our takeaways from the report and a comprehensive look at Australia's startup scene, including growing sectors like greentech and biotech, gender diversity, and the state of funding. Discover why Antler is a top-recommended accelerator and how our program can help your startup scale.

Discover Sahha's game-changing approach to mental health care using biosensors, insights, and AI algorithms. With a recent A$1.75M seed round led by Aura Ventures and participation from Antler, Sahha aims to redefine personalised healthcare.

Discover the vital steps of market validation and set yourself up for success with Antler in Australia’s comprehensive guide.

In a landscape where founders already face various uphill battles, the type of questions they get during VC fundraising can significantly influence the outcome. How does the gender gap manifest in the questions posed by investors, and what ripple effect does this have on the funding that female-led startups receive? This article delves into these pressing issues, leaning on insights from thought leaders Professor Laura Huang and Lauren Capelin from AWS, to guide both founders and investors on how to level the playing field.

Discover how Avertro, an AI-enabled cybersecurity startup, evolved from Antler's first Australian cohort into an up and coming global market leader in cybersecurity. Learn how the company is bridging the gap between business and cyber governance, while scaling rapidly in a world increasingly threatened by cyber risks.

Navigating the startup landscape can feel like a daunting expedition. With around 48% of new businesses failing within their first four years in Australia, the odds may seem stacked against you. However, there are strategies you can implement right from the get-go to future-proof your startup. From making evidence-based decisions to cultivating a culture of innovation, here are eight essential tactics to keep your ship sailing for the long-term.

Alexis Aaron, co-founder of Sortd, recently shared her insights on gender bias within the industry, overcoming prevention questions, and how reframing the problem you’re solving for can win over different investors

James McClure, a partner at Antler in Australia, compares angel investing and venture capital from his unique vantage point of being an active participant in both. Beyond obvious differences like the source of funds and cheque sizes, he outlines five lesser-known contrasts.

Co-founder of Airwallex, Lucy Liu, joined Antler to discuss how and where the best ideas emerge, and how to capitalise on them to seize an opportunity to build the next wave of global tech companies.

Meet the 75 founders kicking off Antler's tenth cohort in Australia

Learn how to raise funding for your startup in Australia with this step-by-step guide. We cover everything from finding the right sources of funding to preparing your pitch deck

Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva, speaks with Bede Moore, Chief Commercial Officer, of Antler, in a virtual fireside chat.

Building a business, whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time founder, is hard work.

Embarking on the entrepreneurial path can be intimidating and riddled with uncertainty and potential risks. Challenges may arise for founders in identifying the perfect co-founder, affirming their concept's viability, or establishing a network and solid route to funding. Antler Australia's residency offers a well-organised framework, mitigating the hazards associated with startup creation.

Learn from technologists who founded their own businesses through Antler Australia and what insights they offer on entrepreneurship and autonomy, impact, and creative freedom.

Co-Founder of GoFIGR, Helena Turpin, dives into creating her business in Antler Australia's second cohort back in 2020 and embracing the advantage of building with a VC focussed on empowering women founders.

Growth is fantastic, but it needs to managed in such a manner whereby sustainability is not lost

From removing the barriers to entry to ensuring diversity in our interviewing and investment processes, as well as being a sector agnostic investor, Antler is on a mission to make entrepreneurship more accessible.

Ben Billy, Co-Founder of StoryTiling, shares his experience working with Antler, including networking, finding the right Co-Founder with shared values, and team breakups

By scouting, investing in and supporting more women founders at the very earliest stage, Antler is on a mission to help shape a more gender-diverse top-of-funnel for later-stage VCs and, together, shift the gender mix across the Australian startup ecosystem.

Finding a co-founder is no easy feat. Here are 5 ways in which Antler facilitates co-founder matching to help you find a complementary team.

This comprehensive guide will take you through the exciting opportunities that lie in Australia's dynamic startup scene and how Antler can support your entrepreneurial aspirations.

Elísabet Ýr Sigurðardóttir, co-founder of Anda, shares her experience working with Antler - from finding the right co-founder to building her business.

Entrepreneurship can be a challenging and rewarding journey, but it is not one that should be taken alone. A co-founder is an essential element in building a successful startup.

At Antler, we make investment decisions on startups that are less than 10 weeks old. In this time, founders find a team, conceive, test and validate business ideas, and start to grow their startup. For those who want to launch a marketplace, Partner James McClure has shared his insider tips to building supply in that short amount of time.

From the types of founders to how we assess Founder DNA, and more. Here's what you need to know.

Having previously been an executive search consultant, doubled the headcount of a Aussie startup now at unicorn-status, and now leading Scouting for Antler in Australia, Antler Associate Partner Adele Moynihan knows talent. Over the past four years, she's personally interviewed 3,000 of the 5,000 candidates who have applied. Here are her tips for getting ahead in the process.

Andre Dean Smith, co-founder of ScreenApp, shares his experience of building a startup with Antler, and the traction he has gained post-Antler’s investment in December 2022.

Everything you need to know about Australian business and entrepreneur visas. Explore eligibility criteria, application processes, and tips for a successful relocation to Australia's thriving business ecosystem.

In conversation with Felicity McVay, Former Global Head of Entertainment at TikTok

Ready to kick start your entrepreneurial journey? Here's why a day zero investor is your best bet!

Here's a sneak peek of some of the founders Antler Australia is working with, what they are up to, and the startups they want to build.

Businesses born from the global financial crisis have been hugely successful. Explore why, and how founders should think about startups today.

Four years and one Fund on, a lot has changed at Antler Australia. In this new series, the global early-stage VC reveals how it's working with founders from day zero, path to its first 100 Australian investments, introduces two new Partners, and announces some of the best terms for founders in the country.

As 2022 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year that was.

Global early-stage VC Antler has kicked off 2022 by welcoming 90 Australian founders into its latest cohort to build the defining companies of tomorrow. With ambitions extending across SaaS, FinTech, AgTech, HealthTech and GreenTech, here’s what you need to know about this mix of aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs. With their eyes set on solving some of the world’s biggest challenges by building new category-defining companies, these ambitious individuals are embarking on their founder journey with Antler Australia to secure Pre-Seed investment.

We spoke with Dr Tommy Mermelshtayn about Zip's growth to date and what it takes to transition from startup to scaleup

From inventive ways to leverage your network, to forming strategic partnerships, and more.

Tim Fung is the co-founder and CEO of Airtasker, Australia's number one marketplace for local services. Since its inception in 2012, Airtasker has gone on to enable more than $1 billion in working opportunities and acquired more than 4.3 million registered users. On top of that, in March 2021, Airtasker made its debut on the ASX and is now valued at $255 million. During a virtual fireside chat, Antler Managing Partner Bede Moore spoke to Tim about his entrepreneurial experience thus far, Airtasker's growth to date, and advice he has for others looking to pursue a similar path.

Katherine McConnell, Founder & CEO of Brighte shares her journey to building her startup, as well as how she’s been able to achieve 912% revenue growth over the past three years and built relationships with investors such as Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian.

After 2,000 registrations, the world tuned in to hear from 13 local portfolio companies

The defining companies of tomorrow: Antler Sydney announces its latest investments

After attracting 2,800 registrations for the event a whopping 2,000 people watched the live event.

Antler Sydney Venture Partner Christian Wanner explores what is Demo Day and why it is important for founders, investors and the wider community.

Antler Australia received 1,400 applications in total, and spent 618 hours interviewing to identify and select this cohort - the largest to date, up 20% from the previous Sydney cohort of 80.

Launching your own business can be daunting. Launching your own business during a pandemic can seem downright impossible. But with the help of Antler Australia, 26 entrepreneurs launched 12 startups spanning FinTech to Saas, HealthTech, DeepTech and more, and are flourishing in their early stages of growth.

12 early-stage powerhouse tech companies will be revealed. Join us and help chart the path to recovery for the tech startup ecosystem.

We spoke to 12 Australian angel investors - here's what they had to say.

Some straightforward ways founders can help each other during turbulent times

Liz Kaelin is an entrepreneur in the second Sydney program. Here's her advice for others who are about to join.

Adam Ross is an entrepreneur participating in Antler's second Sydney program. Here's what he learned from participating in Design Sprints.

Sydney entrepreneur and PhD candidate Snow Li discusses what it was like to form new bonds in Week 1 of the Antler program

21% of Antler Sydney's second cohort have previously exited a company as a founder or executive.

81 of Australia's most entrepreneurial tech and commercial leaders are ready to build the next wave of tech.

Of the 12 companies Antler showcased at its inaugural Demo Day in Sydney, five were represented by female CEOs.

Antler's inaugural Australian Demo Day attracted almost 1,000 people, 1.7K online viewers, and an on-the-spot engagement for every portfolio company

Antler’s inaugural Demo Day in Sydney will take place on Thursday, November 7 at the iconic Sydney Town Hall.

From the program to the team, and how it addresses the barriers to entrepreneurship, Antler gives founders an unfair advantage over startups not in the Antler program.

"I have evolved into a better version of myself... I am so proud that I took the leap to launch my own business. I worked hard for something that I am passionate about and enjoyed every second of it."

Twelve startups formed in the Antler program in Sydney have secured $100,000 in pre-seed funding.

Antler Sydney entrepreneur Siobhan O'Toole says, rather than holding another Women's Day event, take action to help women succeed by holding open the door.

Antler's Director of Recruiting in Sydney, Adele Moynihan, shares her top interview tip and why.

The pathway to success, and why growth occurs in discomfort

Lessons from recruiting a diverse cohort of rocket scientists, excited entrepreneurs, CTO's, management consultants and all round superstars.

The entrepreneurial journey can be a combination of structure and chaos, success and failure. But most would agree that above all it one of ongoing learning.

You don’t need a startup. You don’t need a team. You don’t even need an idea. Antler helps with all of that.

They say you make your own luck in life, and historically, I think Australia has done that... but if we believe we can ride the sheep’s back into an affluent future, then we deserve to be the poor fools we will become.

The power of working towards a mission you truly believe in

Why now is the best time to build a business