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Provided by Antler
6-10 week accelerator for early-stage founders, offering co-founder matching, idea validation, and pre-seed investment.
Antler Japan (Tokyo) is a zero-to-one startup accelerator and residency program administered by the global venture capital firm Antler. The intensive, full-time, in-person initiative spans six to ten weeks, providing accepted participants with an initial pre-seed investment of 20 million JPY, or approximately $150,000, in exchange for a 10% equity stake, alongside potential follow-on funding up to $400,000. Recognized by PitchBook as the most active early-stage investor globally, Antler launched this specific Japanese market cohort in 2023 to facilitate co-founder matching and business validation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for these biannual cohorts, with recent and upcoming sessions scheduled for April 2025 and May 2026. The program is designed for aspiring founders, technologists, and domain experts seeking to build early-stage startups from scratch and secure initial capital within the Tokyo technology ecosystem.
Antler Japan runs a 6-week in-person residency in Tokyo, investing $150,000 on an uncapped MFN SAFE at inception, with up to $250,000 in follow-on within 6-9 months (subject to matching capital). The 2026 application deadline is May 11, 2026. Antler takes no fees, though founders cover their own travel and living expenses in Tokyo.
Antler Japan is a zero-to-one program - you can join pre-idea and pre-team, and the residency helps you find a co-founder and build from scratch.
The 6-week residency provides structured co-founder matching, idea validation, and rapid prototyping support. Antler's team facilitates introductions between complementary founders and provides mentorship on market selection, product strategy, and early-stage fundraising. At the end of the residency, you pitch to Antler's Investment Committee. Successful teams receive the $150K investment immediately and access to follow-on capital as they hit milestones.
Antler targets ambitious individuals with strong technical or domain expertise who want to build a startup in or for the Japanese market. You can be pre-idea - the program helps you find both a co-founder and a viable opportunity. Founders based in Japan or willing to relocate to Tokyo for the residency are ideal candidates.
Antler's follow-on investment of up to $250K within 6-9 months means you have a clear path to your next funding milestone without needing to immediately fundraise externally. This gives you runway to focus on building product and finding early customers.
Antler Japan (Tokyo): 6-10 week accelerator for early-stage founders, offering co-founder matching, idea validation, and pre-seed investment.
Antler Japan (Tokyo) is offered by Antler.
Antler Japan (Tokyo) currently lists $150K uncapped MFN SAFE at inception + up to $250K follow-on within 6-9 months (subject to matching capital). 6-week in-person residency in Tokyo. No fees, but founders cover travel and living. as its value.
Pre-idea to early stage founders; based in or willing to relocate to Tokyo
Antler Japan (Tokyo) is listed for Tokyo, Japan.