Antler Direct

Not every team needs a programme, and Antler India says so itself. Around half of its investments so far have been made directly, outside the residency or anything else it runs. This route has no cohort, no dates and no deadline — the application form stays live all year, with Bangalore selectable as a city.

Antler India invites founders at any early point: thinking about an idea, tinkering with a product, or already live with a few early users. Its stated current focus is AI-first companies, though it adds that it will still hear from founders building something exceptional elsewhere. The investment terms are the same standard ones it uses for the residency, and they involve taking equity.

What you get

• A direct conversation with the Bengaluru investment team
• Investment on Antler India's standard terms if there is a fit
• Access to Antler's network across its other locations

Who can apply

• Founders at any early stage, in any part of India
• No incorporation, recognition or domicile requirement is stated
• The later-stage option on the form routes to Antler's separate global growth fund, not to the India team

How to apply: Fill in Antler's application form — name, email, an optional LinkedIn profile, your stage, and your region and city. Choose Bangalore. Antler India adds that getting a mutual connection to refer you works better than applying cold.