Antler India Unveils Ambitious Plan to Invest in 120 Startups
Antler India, a pre-seed venture capital firm based in Bengaluru, has announced plans to invest in 120 startups over the next four years, leveraging its $75 million fund. Rajiv Srivatsa, partner at Antler India, revealed the firm’s strategy in a recent interview.
The venture capital firm, which launched its India chapter about four years ago as its sixth global location, has already made approximately 65 investments to date. Antler India’s approach includes running cohorts for both individual founders and teams, a model unique to the Indian market.
“We receive between 4,000 to 5,000 applications for each cohort, from which we select 100 participants,” Srivatsa explained. The six-month program culminates in investments of $250,000 for selected ideas, with an additional $250,000 available once further capital is raised.
Srivatsa highlighted five key traits sought in first-time founders: execution and strategy, grit and tenacity, customer obsession, communication skills, and ambition for scale. “We’re looking for individuals who excel in at least one or two of these areas,” he stated.
The firm’s selection process also focuses on matching cofounders with complementary skills and values. Srivatsa noted, “We use a 60-question assessment to understand values, working styles, and personality types, often pairing technical expertise with business acumen.”
Antler India’s investment strategy comes at a time of positive shifts in the Indian startup ecosystem. Srivatsa observed that attracting talent has become easier compared to a decade ago, with a noticeable change in perception post-pandemic. “Founders are more mature, frugal, and have a better understanding of their industry,” he added.
As Antler India continues to scout for promising startups, Srivatsa extended an invitation to founders who have moved to India to launch their own ventures, encouraging them to reach out via email.
