Antler is a global venture capital firm enabling and investing in the world's most exceptional people building the defining companies of tomorrow. Fuelled by its proprietary technology and data platform and one of the world's largest datasets on early-stage founder success, Antler is changing the way early-stage investment decisions are made.
Antler is located in 23 major start-up ecosystems across 6 continents. To date, Antler has invested in more than 460 companies in over 30 industries. The entrepreneurs Antler works with are the top 1% globally, selected out of more than 60,000 entrepreneurs evaluated every year. Antler invests at the earliest stage of a startup journey through regional funds (pre-seed and seed) at low valuations. Antler is able to provide a continuation of capital for subsequent funding rounds to the highest potential companies though our follow-on investment vehicle (up to series c). This strategy not only provides unrivalled access to VC opportunities globally, it aims to decrease risk across a diversified portfolio and through extensive due diligence that exceeds the industry average.
Antler has supported founders from more than 70 nationalities and from all socioeconomic backgrounds, 34% of our portfolio companies have a female co-founder, and half of these companies have a female CEO. The Antler founder selection process is geared towards finding the best talent globally, irrespective of nationality, socio-economic background or gender.
Over the next decade, Antler intends to support thousands of entrepreneurs, help build more than 6,400 new technology companies, contribute strongly to job growth, global GDP and support the UN SDGs. Antler breaks down the barriers to entry to entrepreneurship and enables successful participants to find strong co-founders, validate their business model and secure funding.
Co-investors who invest alongside Antler in their portfolio companies include Sequoia, Y-Combinator, Founders Fund, Golden Gate Ventures and some of the most experienced angel investors in the world.
More information on Antler here.
Agenda
14:15: Welcome (Dennis Gan, SPARK Social Innovation)
14:20: The Antler Model - How we build investor ready teams.
15:00: Discussion
15:30: Food and mingling
Registration deadline for food/drinks on 10th November
Kristian Jul Røsjø, Partner at Antler
Kristian co-leads the Norwegian operations at Antler, where he leads both the fundraising and partnership efforts.
Kristian is also responsible for building the ecosystem around Antler in Europe focusing on partnerships with commercial companies that want to contribute through their services and idea generation towards founders in the programs. He is also working on raising the European funds that invest in Antler's portfolio companies.
Kristian holds a Master’s degree in business economics from BI Norwegian Business School and Plekhanov University in Moscow. He has previously worked at Statoil Energy Retail in St. Petersburg, Russia and for the Norwegian foreign service where he served at the Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia and the Consulate General in New York.
About the SPARK Social Innovation Educational Forum
The SPARK forum is an open monthly meeting for project teams, partners, and everyone interested in how universities and academics engage with social innovation.