Antler, a worldwide startup accelerator and early-stage venture capital business, has raised £21.4 million for a new UK fund to support the development of 70 innovative firms in the UK. Through its London cohort model, which will begin in February 2022, the VC company plans to invest in bright individuals and pre-seed stage firms.
Antler has been investing in the UK since 2019. Its portfolio includes 35 UK firms, with 16 of them entering this year. Vamstar, an AI-powered healthcare marketplace, Unlock, a virtual team venue, and Mast, a mortgage tech platform, are all based in the United Kingdom.
The news comes two months after the company announced that it had raised £226 million from a variety of investors, including Vkstfonden, Schroders, Phoenix Group, and others.
All of Antler’s UK portfolio firms who complete the cohort will get the first check of up to £120,000. It keeps money in reserve for investments up to and including Series C.
Ollie Purdue, Antoine Poirson, and Veronika Patkai lead the UK team, which invests in a variety of industries.
“We’re incredibly delighted to be in a stronger position to help even more emerging firms now that the UK fund has closed,” said Ollie Purdue, partner at Antler London. “We’ve extended our UK team with the head of partnership and a program associate, and looking to grow more in 2022,” said Veronika Patkai, associate partner at Antler London. We’re now taking applications for our fifth UK cohort, which will begin in February 2022, and we’re excited to help the next generation of extraordinary people, regardless of their history, origin, or gender.”
“As we see a true generational wealth difference emerge, we are certain that startups will play a critical role in bridging it.” As a result, we’re putting a lot of work and resources on closing it,” said Antler London partner Antoine Poirson. We’re making it easier for underrepresented groups, entrepreneurs, and women to participate in our funds.”
Antler announced a week ago that it will fund developer teams working on Web3.
