Unlock your entrepreneurial potential with Antler in Kenya

Antler is the day zero investor backing the world's most driven founders. In Nairobi’s vibrant startup hub, we bring together entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to build companies that move the world forward. We work with individual founders with strong business and technical backgrounds and early-stage startups leveraging tech to tackle deep, relevant, and ambitious problem statements in Africa.

Apply to Antler in KenyaLearn more
* For the September residency, French founders will need to relocate to Amsterdam, Berlin, or Munich.

Join an upcoming AMA session

  • Funding for your startup in just 5 weeks
  • Get your first cheque from a global VC

Who is Antler in Kenya for?

We’re looking for people committed to turning their ambitious ideas into game-changing businesses. We work with founders regardless of background or geography—from experienced business operators to technologists and entrepreneurs. Whether you've just started building, but haven't yet raised capital; you've got an idea and are thinking about getting started, but haven't quite made the leap; or you don't have an idea but are determined to be an entrepreneur, Antler is the right place for you to bring your idea to life. We accept applications from individuals and teams..

Apply to Antler in Kenya

Individuals

Looking for a co-founder?
Start Date: March 2025

Are you an individual ready to start something new, and looking for the right co-founder?

Antler brings together an exclusive group of ambitious people to explore ideas together in an 8 week in-person program in Nairobi. Meet, learn, and co-create with exceptional builders. Post program, our fund can invest $100k for 10% in teams that pass the Antler Investment Committee. To support in a tough funding environment, we also make available an additional $100k to match your next investor ticket and terms.

Join us to turn your startup vision into reality!

Teams

Already have the dream team?
Start Date: Rolling Intake

Early-stage teams with an MVP or early customer validation are welcome to apply to Antler for direct investment into their ongoing Pre-Seed or early Seed rounds.

Antler Nairobi works with early stage startup teams to rapidly gain traction through coaching and networking. If you are a team building an early product, or have just launched your MVP, or seeking an additional co-founder, you are welcome to apply. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Antler can join your ongoing pre-seed / early seed round with $100-400K tickets at a negotiated valuation

‍

‍

Apply to Antler in Kenya

What to expect once you join Antler in Kenya

While all Antler programs are similar, each location takes a tailored approach to ensure founders have the greatest chance of success. If you are a founder at the idea stage, Antler programs in Kenya run for 8 weeks where founders join the community to build a brand new startup from scratch (see details below). We also offer investment for early-stage startups following an individualized timeline and path.

‍

01

Team formation, ideation, and validation

This stage of the program lasts 5 weeks and will consist of elements including:

  • Social events and team-building activities to help you identify possible co-founders you like to work with in the community
  • Masterclasses and speaker sessions covering highly relevant topics for your startup journey (e.g., unit economics, fundraising best practices, and growth hacking.)
  • Team sprints to push your ideation and innovation
  • Regular speaker sessions on interesting topics for entrepreneurs
  • Weekly touch points with coaching from the Antler team
  • VC meetups that will allow you to build relationships and challenge your ideas
  • Peer support and regular feedback from your fellow community members

Sharpening your value proposition

During this 3 week stage of the program, you will dedicate your full-time efforts to refine your idea and business model, with strong customer focus and interaction. You sharpen up the details of your business plan, and start preparing for the Antler Investment Committee (IC). This stage of the program will consist of elements including:

  • Weekly coaching sessions with a dedicated coach from the Antler team and support from our venture partners and local network of industry experts
  • Legal advisory sessions (with lawyers) to refine your idea and business model in light of regulatory requirements and constraints
  • Advice and support in identifying additional team members to fill critical skill gaps in your founding team structure (if required)
  • Weekly pitch training sessions with feedback from the Antler team and fellow founders
  • Targeted pitch deck reviews, Q&A sessions, and pitch trainings ahead of IC
02
03

Pitch to Antler’s Investment Committee

At the end of the program, teams deemed ready will pitch to our Investment Committee (IC). The IC votes on which teams receive an investment.

04

Antler companies are disrupting the continent by solving tremendous problems

14,000+

Applications processed

300+

Founders supported

25+

Portfolio companies

$50M+

Capital raise by portfolio companies

View all

Application process

The full application process takes about 2-3 weeks to complete. Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the entire process and will be available to answer all your questions. All of our interviews are done online.

Apply

If applying as an individual, submit your application on antler.co/apply using your LinkedIn URL or CV.
If applying with an existing early-stage startup, you apply as a team and include your pitch deck along with a CV or LinkedIn URL for your co-founder(s) if any.

Initial alignment and drive interview

After reviewing your application, one of our scouting team members will conduct a 30-minute interview. This session assesses your drive, motivations, and alignment with the program to determine if Antler is the right fit for you and vice versa. Be prepared to share:

  • Why you’re applying to Antler.
  • Why now is the right time for you.
  • What unique qualities and experiences you bring to the table.

‍

Partner interview

The next stage is an in-depth interview with one of our partners. Depending on your profile, this will involve either a technical or business problem-solving discussion. Specific instructions will be shared beforehand, so you’ll know what to prepare for.

Coffee chat

This final-round assessment is a 1-hour conversation designed to explore your leadership qualities and overall alignment with Antler’s vision. It’s an opportunity for us to understand your journey and leadership style in a more casual setting.

01
0
02
1
03
2
04
3

Application process

The full application process takes about 2-3 weeks to complete. Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the entire process and will be available to answer all your questions. All of our interviews are done online.

Apply

If applying as an individual, submit your application on antler.co/apply using your LinkedIn URL or CV.
If applying with an existing early-stage startup, you apply as a team and include your pitch deck along with a CV or LinkedIn URL for your co-founder(s) if any.

Initial alignment and drive interview

After reviewing your application, one of our scouting team members will conduct a 30-minute interview. This session assesses your drive, motivations, and alignment with the program to determine if Antler is the right fit for you and vice versa. Be prepared to share:

  • Why you’re applying to Antler.
  • Why now is the right time for you.
  • What unique qualities and experiences you bring to the table.

‍

Partner interview

The next stage is an in-depth interview with one of our partners. Depending on your profile, this will involve either a technical or business problem-solving discussion. Specific instructions will be shared beforehand, so you’ll know what to prepare for.

Coffee chat

This final-round assessment is a 1-hour conversation designed to explore your leadership qualities and overall alignment with Antler’s vision. It’s an opportunity for us to understand your journey and leadership style in a more casual setting.

Pitch interview (for existing startups only)

If you are applying with an existing startup, you may be shortlisted (based on your pitchdeck) to present your pitch on a call or in-person. When shortlisted, be prepared to:

  • Share your pitch deck or demo your MVP (if available)
  • Answer questions about the idea, team, and vision

We’ll also use this time to ask questions about the idea and the team, but also to answer your burning questions on what a collaboration with—and ultimately an investment from—Antler could look like.

‍

01
0
02
1
03
2
04
3
05
4

Application process

The full application process takes about 2-3 weeks to complete. Once you apply, our scouting team will guide you through the entire process and will be available to answer all your questions. All of our interviews are done online.

Apply

If applying as an individual, submit your application on antler.co/apply using your LinkedIn URL or CV.
If applying with an existing early-stage startup, you apply as a team and include your pitch deck along with a CV or LinkedIn URL for your co-founder(s) if any.

Initial alignment and drive interview

After reviewing your application, one of our scouting team members will conduct a 30-minute interview. This session assesses your drive, motivations, and alignment with the program to determine if Antler is the right fit for you and vice versa. Be prepared to share:

  • Why you’re applying to Antler.
  • Why now is the right time for you.
  • What unique qualities and experiences you bring to the table.

‍

Partner interview

The next stage is an in-depth interview with one of our partners. Depending on your profile, this will involve either a technical or business problem-solving discussion. Specific instructions will be shared beforehand, so you’ll know what to prepare for.

01
0
02
1
03
2

Antler's portfolio companies in Kenya have raised investments from other leading VCs in the African ecosystem.

Founder testimonials

Don't just take it from us. Hear from phenomenal people who joined Antler in Kenya to launch their company.

David N

HoneyCoin

What I love about Antler is when you have them on your cap table, you're not just getting $$$ but the most amazing community of founders & investors, as well as a war chest of resources to build your company with.

John Kiptum

Churpy

As a second-time founder, I came to Antler to find a like-minded co-founder and discover scalable business ideas that could fit into the African market. I learned a lot from the masterclasses, and the coaching from the Antler team has been from professionals worldwide. The alumni connections and the network Antler have been great.

Sneha Mutha

Uncover

The Antler team is truly in it with you. They don’t just provide money but are there for advice, intros, moral support, and most importantly community: the people we meet and interact with are just incredible through the Antler network. It not only makes founding easier but so much fun!

Arthur Mulwa

AiCare

I love that I got to meet my great cofounders at Antler. Even more important the support I have gotten from the Antler team and community they have built has been instrumental in AiCare getting to where it has today.

Jani Landman

nobuk.africa

The Antler team has been fundamental in our journey and has offered much more than the initial seed investment. The wrap around support is tailored to each teams needs, and we have especially enjoyed the consulting approach to our product discovery and the expansive network of advisors that we have access too.

Are you tired of working for others? Do you want to launch your own startup?

We invite individuals and teams with strong business and technical backgrounds and an interest in building their own startup to join Antler in Kenya. We both invest directly in existing startup teams and work with entrepreneurs from day zero to get their ventures off the ground. This includes building strong teams by shortlisting and introducing complementary entrepreneurs to each other in our community (co-founder “matchmaking”), supporting the idea validation process, and ultimately investing in exciting ideas. Following our two-to-three-month venture generator program, our fund can inject $100k for 10% into teams that pass the Antler Investment Committee. To support in a tough funding environment, we make available an additional $100k to match your next investor ticket and terms.

‍

Apply to Antler in Kenya
Entrepass Partner

Our team

Meet the people dedicated to our founders’ success.

Marie Nielsen
Partner

Marie is a Partner at Antler East Africa. She’s a past startup founder, exiting her paper recycling company in Ethiopia in 2021. Previously, she was an associate principal at McKinsey & Company and holds a master's degree in economic analysis from the Norwegian School of Economics.

Melalite Ayenew
Partner

Melalite is a Partner in Antler East Africa, supporting the Antler founders on tech and strategy. Her prior experience includes Oracle, Bain & Company, and Princeton Consultants. Melalite holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA/MSC in Computer Science from Smith College and Rutgers University.

‍Kosen Kenta
Principal

Kosen is the Principal in Nairobi. He was previously a business consultant at Open Capital Advisors, where he worked with clients across East and West Africa across various sectors. He is also an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, holding a Bachelors of Laws degree from Strathmore University.

Victoria Onsare
Scouting & Comms Manager

Victoria is the Scouting and Comms Manager, East Africa. She has previously served in Talent Management and Business Partnering roles at tech-led start-ups such as Komaza Forestry and Twiga Foods. She has also worked at M+R Spedag Group, a logistics company. She holds a CHRP and BSc. in HR Management.

Anil Atmaramani
Partner

Anil is a Partner at Antler West Africa. He has an impressive track record that includes founding Toronto’s first restaurant delivery service, he is no stranger to leveraging pioneering technology to disrupt traditional industries. He has spent the better part of the last two decades, building and scaling businesses across diverse sectors in Nigeria, including FMCG, renewable energy, agro-allied industries, and construction. His hands-on operational consulting for major startups such as Jumia, along with advisory services for over 100 startups, showcases his extensive experience supporting entrepreneurs across various stages of growth.

Antler in Kenya

Based in Nairobi's vibrant startup hub, Antler in Kenya brings together entrepreneurs from different backgrounds to build companies that move the world forward. Since launching in 2019, Antler in Kenya has supported over 270 founders and has made 18 investments.

Michael Ogongo
Analyst

Michael is an Analyst at Antler in Nairobi. He was previously an Analyst at StepStone Group where he performed due diligence on primary fund commitment, co-investments, and secondary transactions. He holds a BA in Economics from Cornell University.

Melalite Ayenew
Partner

Melalite is a Partner in Antler East Africa, supporting the Antler founders on tech and strategy. Her prior experience includes Oracle, Bain & Company, and Princeton Consultants. Melalite holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA/MSC in Computer Science from Smith College and Rutgers University.

Marie Nielsen
Partner

Marie is a Partner at Antler East Africa. She’s a past startup founder, exiting her paper recycling company in Ethiopia in 2021. Previously, she was an associate principal at McKinsey & Company and holds a master's degree in economic analysis from the Norwegian School of Economics.

‍Kosen Kenta
Principal

Kosen is the Principal in Nairobi. He was previously a business consultant at Open Capital Advisors, where he worked with clients across East and West Africa across various sectors. He is also an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, holding a Bachelors of Laws degree from Strathmore University.

Open positions

Some of our Past Speakers

Throughout our residencies, successful entrepreneurs have shared their insights and experiences with our founders, offering valuable mentorship !

Clare Jones

CEO of Polarsteps

Daniel Krauss

Co-founder of Flix

Marc-Alexander Christ

Co-founder of SumUp

Francesco Wiedemann

Co-founder of Kyte

Frank Freund

Co-founder and CFO of Raisin

Robert Kraal

Co-founder of Silverflow

Clare Jones

CEO of Polarstep

Daniel Krauss

Co-founder of Flix

Marc-Alexander Christ

Co-founder of SumUp

Francesco Wiedemann

Co-founder of Kyte

Frank Freund

Co-founder and CFO of Raisin

Robert Kraal

Co-founder of Silverflow

Connect on LinkedIn

From our blog

Read our insights, learnings, features, and other stories about Antler in Kenya.

View all
Residency
Kids that code: Championing digital literacy in Nairobi

Nestled in the vibrant startup hub of Nairobi, Antler in Kenya brings together founders from all walks of life to build and invest in companies, tackling some of the most ambitious challenges in Africa. Sometimes that means starting from the very beginning—by lifting up young people in our region and providing them with the tools to drive the world forward. This time, through code. Find out about the incredible work done by Code Yetu, in partnership with Alphathesis and Antler in Kenya.

‍

Read more
Residency
The Unicorn founder roadmap: Insights into Africa's startup founders and the ecosystem

At Antler, we believe exceptional people are the key to building defining companies. But what makes a person exceptional, and how do personal characteristics or experiences increase the chances of building a successful tech company? Last month, we took a systematic look at the most exceptional founders of the 21st century in the DACH region to identify patterns that led up to founding a Unicorn. This month, we are doing the same across the African continent. Our findings reveal who Africa’s Unicorn, Soonicorn, and growth-stage startup founders are, which higher institutions they went to, how many years of work experience they had before launching their ventures, and more. Additionally, we have taken a closer look at the future state of the local ecosystem and put together data-driven predictions to provide more insight and understanding into the African startup ecosystem and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Read more
Residency
Building the next wave of tech startups out of Africa

Africa, with its staggering young population, rapidly growing adoption of mobile technologies, increasing middle class and harbouring of 4/10 world’s fastest growing economies, is ready for a tech revolution and Antler is excited to bring its disruptive model to the continent.

Read more
View all

FAQs

​​Who qualifies for Antler Nairobi?

We encourage you to apply if you are a founder grappling with an ambitious problem statement, with unique insight into how to solve it, and have a strong tech/business background. Most founders joining Antler’s programs have 5-15 years of prior work experience.

‍

What if I only have an idea?

We typically accept founders that are pre-product. Antler helps early-stage founders iterate, improve, and articulate the problem they want to solve, and helps refine the quality of their solutions. Founders also will benefit from prior validation of the problem/solution (user research, stakeholder conversations, and prototype experiments) in the community.

‍

What if I don’t have an idea?

Antler Nairobi can help founders come up with an idea from scratch. However, founders must be interested in going after ideas and problems with a unique/deep insight and take quick steps to validate them. We understand that things change quickly with rapid iteration and customer feedback. Some founders may change their idea entirely in the first few weeks.

‍

What sectors qualify for Antler?

We are sector agnostic and welcome startups from any industry, with innovation as our primary criterion. We invest in both tech and tech-light businesses, emphasizing the importance of using creative and impactful solutions to address market needs. While not every business needs technology as its core driver, we seek founders leveraging innovation—whether through tech-enabled processes or unique approaches—to build competitive, scalable, and transformative ventures.

‍

Will Antler help me find a co-founder?

Yes, we bring together founders from different backgrounds/skills and provide an environment to interact and form connections based on aligned goals and values. Antler does not assign co-founders, with the matching decision ultimately left to the founders.

‍

What if I have a co-founder in mind who I would like to build with?

At Antler, we invest in the leader of the team and respect their decision to choose a co-founder. If you already have a co-founder, we welcome this as part of your journey. While your co-founder does not need to apply separately, we do require the opportunity t

What if I already have a product?

We also accept founders and teams who have already launched their products. Antler helps these teams accelerate product-market fit and growth, and gain access to further rounds of capital. Early-stage startups do not necessarily go through the program as some startups will likely be too advanced and hence will only be evaluated for a direct investment.

‍

What if I already raised with friends and family / angels / VCs?

Finding your first backers is an outstanding achievement. Typically, founders and teams who have raised in previous rounds will go through our acceleration track.

‍

What should I expect in the interviews?

For individuals: You will be interviewing with Antler team members and partners to evaluate your background, your motivation to join Antler, your problem-solving abilities, and your ability to work with others. You do not need a deck for these interviews—these are conversations to get to know you better. 

For existing pre-seed/seed startups: You will be interviewing Antler team members and partners to discuss your startup, team, and motivations. Upon receiving your application, we will shortlist founders for an introductory pitch call.

‍

How much funding can I get from Antler? What are the key terms?

For ideas built from scratch at Antler through our programs: If the Antler Investment Committee (IC) determines that your team and idea are exciting and viable, your team may receive an investment from the Antler Africa Fund. The Antler Africa fund will then provide $100k for 10% shareholding. To support in a tough funding environment, we make available an additional $100k to match your next investor ticket and terms.

For existing pre-seed/seed startups: If the Antler IC determines that your team and idea are exciting and viable, Antler can join your ongoing pre-seed / early seed round with $100-400K tickets at a negotiated valuation.

‍

I am not based in Nairobi, will my application still be considered?

The Antler Nairobi community is open to founders across Africa who are committed to relocating to Nairobi and building their product in this market. For the upcoming cohort, we are specifically focused on founders who see the value of immersing themselves in the vibrant Nairobi ecosystem during the first phase of the program and are dedicated to establishing their ventures within this market.

‍

How does Antler differ from an incubator or accelerator?

Accelerators typically start working with preformed teams who have identified a product-market fit. Getting to that stage can be incredibly challenging. You need a team, a network of advisors, and access to capital. Antler removes these barriers related to entrepreneurship for people who are interested in starting a company from day one. We identify and invest in exceptional individuals and early-stage teams with the potential to build global companies. We are a founder-led VC located in 30 locations with 1300+ portfolio companies representing 40 industries. We don’t just invest, we create an ecosystem for great companies to be built.

‍

Build your tech startup at Antler in Kenya

Apply to Antler in Kenya

Contact Antler in Kenya

Get in touch with our team!

Individuals
Teams
Kenya