Antler's Residency program - a unique path from 0 to 1

Supporting founders at the very earliest stage of their journey

Antler is an early stage venture capital firm which, since its founding in 2017, has quickly grown to be one of the most active investment firms globally. One of Antler’s core differentiators is its Residency program - which brings together several dozen founders in major cities around the world to build together for 6-8 weeks - but don’t call it an accelerator. Unique to their approach, Antler takes no equity and charges no fees. It’s only at the end of the program that Antler and the Residency founders decide whether they want to pursue a funding relationship with each other - when both sides have had the opportunity to do many weeks of diligence and demonstrate value.

This week, we interviewed ​Roslyn Jin, Antler’s Associate Partner & head of US Platform, to learn about the firm, the Residency and their unique approach to supporting founders going from 0 to 1.

As a sneak preview, here’s a 1-min teaser about the Antler Residency in NYC w/ Kaila Lim, who runs the program in NYC.

Interview with Roslyn Jia, Antler’s Associate Partner & head of US Platform

What Makes the Residency Program Different?

Antler’s Residency Program is specifically designed for founders in the very earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey. This includes those who may only have an idea or an early MVP (Minimum Viable Product). What sets Antler apart is their intentional shift away from the conventional accelerator model. Rather than filling participants' schedules with back-to-back workshops and generic programming, the Residency offers a more flexible, self-directed experience.

During the 6-8 week program, founders gain access to Antler’s shared space, community and resources, with the freedom to tailor the experience to their unique needs. Whether they’re refining their go-to-market strategy, developing their product, or diving into fundraising tactics, participants are encouraged to focus on what will move the needle for their business.

As Roslyn describes it, the Residency is about “community, coaching, and clarity.” Founders leave the program with a stronger sense of direction, a vastly expanded network, and the confidence to scale their business, whether they’re pursuing a high-growth startup or a sustainable, revenue-driven model.

A "Choose Your Own Adventure" Approach

One of the most unique aspects of the program is its flexibility. Antler intentionally avoids overloading participants with a rigid schedule. Instead, founders have the autonomy to choose how they spend their time. Some might opt to sit in on workshops that are relevant to their current stage, while others may focus on coding, taking customer calls, or even participating in co-founder matching events.

Their goal is to create an environment where founders feel empowered to use their time wisely and make progress on their own terms. (Some other programs will pack a founder’s calendar with activities that may not always be relevant.)

A Unique Investment Opportunity

At the end of the program, participants have the opportunity to pitch Antler’s investment committee. What makes this process unique is that Antler invests only after getting to know the founders during the Residency. This approach allows them to evaluate not just the business idea, but the founder’s execution, decision-making, and potential for long-term success. This also allows Founders to evaluate Antler as a fit as an investment and growth partner.

The selection process is highly competitive—only about 3% of Residency applicants are accepted into the program, and Antler invests in less than 1%. However, for those who make it through, the program provides invaluable support, helping founders refine their strategy, sharpen their execution, and access to potential investors.

Success Stories: From Idea to Series A in Less Than Two Years

One standout example of the Residency’s impact is Vero Technologies, a fintech startup that emerged from Antler’s program. The founders met during the Residency, aligned on their vision, and rapidly scaled their business. Within six months of completing the program, they closed a seed round, and within two years, they raised their Series A.

Vero’s success underscores the value of the Residency in helping founders accelerate their growth and raise capital quickly, even in challenging fundraising environments.

Who Is the Residency for?

The Residency Program is ideal for Founders who are fully committed to building their startup. Antler looks for applicants who have a strong bias toward action, a problem-solving mindset, and a big vision for their business. The program is especially suited for Founders who are still in the early stages—those with an idea, a prototype, or perhaps some early customers—but who haven’t yet raised a formal seed round.

For these founders, the Residency offers an unparalleled opportunity to refine their business, build a network, and potentially secure funding. It’s not just about building a startup—it’s about becoming a stronger, more capable founder.

Final Thoughts

Antler’s Residency Program offers a fresh and flexible approach to helping early-stage founders accelerate their growth. With its focus on providing community, coaching, and clarity, the program is designed to help founders build their business on their own terms. For those who are committed to taking the plunge into entrepreneurship, the Residency could be the catalyst they need to unlock their startup’s potential.

Whether you're just starting with an idea on a napkin or you’re ready to take your MVP to the next level, Antler’s Residency Program offers the support, resources, and network to help you get there faster.

Applications are due October 1st for the Fall NYC 2024 program - but offers are given on a rolling basis. So if you’re interested in applying, do it now! https://www.antler.co/apply

Full video of the interview

Upcoming Lynx Collective Events

Sept 17: Startup Investors Lunch (Investors only)

Sept 17: AI Founder Social @ Maxwell Social (Founders only)

Sept 19: Investing for Impact Dinner (Investors only)

Sept 24: Climate Week - Dinner with Christina Shim, IBM's Chief Sustainability Officer (Founders only)

Oct 1: InsideVC with J2 Ventures Partners Christina Keung (Founders only)

Oct 29: InsideVC with Harlem Capital Partner Gabby Cazeau (Founders only)