VC Batch Programs and the Antler Model: Reshaping the Startup Landscape from the Ground Up

In the past, startup founders would gather a team, refine an idea, build an MVP, and then—maybe—approach investors. But in today’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem, that order is starting to flip.

Venture Capitalists (VCs) are no longer just investors waiting at the finish line.

Increasingly, they’re becoming architects of startups themselves—designing, funding, and shaping companies from the very first spark of an idea.

Enter the batch program, and among its leading examples, Antler.

Let’s unpack what batch programs are, how Antler has evolved the model, and why this shift could change everything about how companies are born.

1. VC Batch Programs: A Structural Shift in Startup Investing

A VC batch program is a fixed-term, cohort-based initiative where aspiring founders are selected and intensively supported—often before they even have a product or team.

Unlike traditional seed investments or accelerator programs, batch programs intervene at the pre-team, pre-idea stage. Here’s how they typically work:

Key Features:

• - Defined duration: Usually 3–6 months per batch

• - Support system: Office space, tech resources, legal and financial guidance

• - Initial funding: Pre-seed capital, often between $20,000 and $80,000

• - Demo Day: Culminates in pitches to external investors

Growing Global Presence

Since around 2017, over 30% of VCs globally have either launched or planned their own batch programs.

Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have been particularly active, using these programs to make up for weaker startup infrastructure.

In the U.S., top firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia (Arc), and Initialized Capital are already active players in this trend.

The rise of VC-led batch programs isn’t just a narrative—it’s backed by significant growth in both quantity and capital deployment.

2. The Antler Model: A Global Experiment in Startup Engineering

Founded in 2017 in Oslo, Norway, Antler has become one of the most systematic examples of this new breed of VC involvement.

Its philosophy is simple: Great startups begin with great people.

That’s why Antler scouts individuals—not teams or even ideas—and helps them form companies from scratch.

How Antler Works:

2. Founder Scouting (No team or idea required):

   • Evaluates for grit, entrepreneurial potential, and problem-solving skills

4. Team Formation & Ideation (0–2 months):

   • Participants form teams with diverse skill sets and explore startup ideas

6. Product Development & Pitching (3–4 months):

   • Teams build MVPs and pitch to Antler’s internal investment committee

8. Seed Funding & Network Expansion:

   • Successful teams receive $100K–$150K for ~10% equity

   • Access to Antler’s global VC and mentor network

Impact Snapshot:

• - Cities: Operating in 30+ cities (e.g. New York, Berlin, Singapore, Seoul)

• - Founders supported: Over 8,000

• - Startups created: 1,000+

• - Series A conversion: ~30%

• - Key portfolio companies:

• Reebelo (refurbished tech marketplace)

• Sleek (SaaS for incorporation)

• Cognicept (robotics)

Importantly, Antler isn’t just focused on pure tech; its portfolio spans sectors like healthcare, climate, and education—driven by impact as much as innovation.

That said, Antler’s model is still maturing. Despite strong early-stage traction, there have been limited exit events (like acquisitions or IPOs). But with a newly raised $285 million fund focused on later-stage investments, that’s likely to change soon.

3. Antler Under the Microscope: Is This the Ideal Startup Factory?

While Antler’s model is gaining popularity, it's not without criticism. Here are four challenges that cast a shadow over the batch program hype:

Speed-Over-Substance Team Formation

Putting dozens of strangers in a room and expecting viable teams to emerge in weeks can be risky. True collaboration requires trust, alignment, and time—something batch programs often skip in favor of speed.

Teams formed too quickly may lack long-term cohesion, leading to conflicts or even collapse down the road.

People-First, Idea-Second—To a Fault?

Antler emphasizes talent over ideas, but that can backfire. In some cases, charismatic individuals with weak ideas get funded simply because they pitch well. When real product-market fit is lacking, early momentum may fizzle out fast.

Equity Terms and Capital Constraints

A $100K check for 10% equity may sound attractive, but it sets a high bar for future dilution. Founders may find themselves overly diluted by Series A, especially in capital-intensive sectors.

Plus, $100K often isn’t enough for serious development or go-to-market strategies—forcing teams to scramble for funding shortly after Demo Day.

Not Built for Every Founder or Idea

Antler prefers “all-star” founder profiles—those who can pitch, build, and lead all at once.

This excludes introverted or deep-tech founders who need time and specialized resources.

It also biases the program toward fast-turnaround B2B SaaS ideas rather than long-horizon moonshots or scientific breakthroughs.

Pressure-Cooker Culture

Demo Day is the end goal, and that creates a short-term, performance-driven mindset.

Instead of encouraging experimentation and resilience, the model often incentivizes flashy MVPs and polished decks over real substance.

Final Thoughts

Antler and similar VC batch programs represent a powerful evolution in how companies are born and backed.

They lower the barriers to entry for talented individuals and democratize access to capital and mentorship.

But like any innovation, they come with trade-offs.

The big question is: Can this model scale without sacrificing depth, resilience, and originality?

If so, the future of startup creation might be less about who you know or what idea you have—and more about what you’re capable of building when given the chance.