Global VC fund Antler, with tech investments in 160 cos, sets up India specific fund – to invest in 40 Indian startups in its first year

• Antler, which invests in early stage startups, has set up shop in India with Rajiv Srivatsa, co-founder of Urban Ladder as a partner.
• While it has begun operations in Bengaluru, over the next four years, it plans to expand to several more cities and invest in a total of 150 startups.
• The fund is betting on India’s vision to grow into a 5 trillion dollar economy.

Singapore-based Venture Capital fund Antler, which invests in early stage startups, has set up shop in India with Rajiv Srivatsa, co-founder of Urban Ladder as a partner.

Antler has investments in over 160 companies globally, and now plans to invest in 40 Indian startups in its first year of operations.

The company’s decision to enter India comes at a time when investments are low and businesses are hit due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fund hopes to scale up operations soon. While it has begun operations in Bengaluru, over the next four years, it plans to expand to several more cities and invest in a total of 150 startups.

“We believe the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem has massive potential. The quantity of exceptional talent, the ambition level of founders and the proliferation of high-quality venture capital and angel investors provides an incredible opportunity to build successful early-stage companies from scratch,” said Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler.

Grimeland added that he is betting on India’s vision to grow into a 5 trillion dollar economy which will fuel “a much higher growth for the digital economy”.

“We will launch an India fund and collaborate with the entire ecosystem including VCs, angels and work closely with corporate partners and functional specialists as mentors, to power the India opportunity ahead this decade,” said Srivatsa who will be leading the India vertical.

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