As the East African branch of global venture capital firm Antler, it identifies startups in their early stages, helps founders form strong teams, refine their ideas, and develop strong businesses.  

In 2018, tech entrepreneur Magnus Grimeland founded Antler, a global venture capital firm, to support motivated founders. With Antler Kenya, that venture capital firm works with East African founders with solid business and technical experience as well as early-stage startups that leverage technology to solve local challenges. 

Through its pre-launch program, Antler Kenya helps solo founders find co-founders, validate their ideas, present investment projects, and grow their startups to profitability. 

For African start-ups, Antler has set up a pre-seed and seed program that allows companies access to investment and a global network of founders and advisors. It also provides access to over $350,000 in early-stage credit and support for subsequent financing rounds.

Antler Kenya's programs last between seven and twelve weeks. They are designed to help entrepreneurs start a business from scratch. During those programs, it organizes social and team-building events, masterclasses, conferences, and coaching among other events.  

To help entrepreneurs mature their business ideas and models, Antler Kenya also provides legal coaching sessions, training, and pitch practice sessions. At the end of the program, selected entrepreneurs pitch their ideas before an investment committee that selects those worthy of investment. To date, the venture capital firm has supported over 250 founders and more than 15 African startups.  

Melchior Koba