KUALA LUMPUR, August 9 – Antler, a renowned global venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments, has announced its launch in Malaysia through a strategic partnership with Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”), the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia. This collaboration solidifies Antler’s presence across Southeast Asia, as it expands its operations into four countries in the region, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. With a strong foothold in 26 locations worldwide, Antler strengthens its position as a global platform for scaling and capital.
Antler’s entry into Malaysia marks a significant milestone for the country’s entrepreneurial landscape. As one of the most active early-stage investors globally, Antler has already invested in over 792 companies, amassing a cumulative portfolio value of US$3.7 billion. The partnership with Khazanah aligns with the Future Malaysia Programme, a flagship initiative under Khazanah’s Dana Impak (Impact Fund) mandate. This program aims to foster the growth of the local startup ecosystem by collaborating with both domestic and international partners, including entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital firms, and corporate venture programs.
Dana Impak, with an RM6 billion commitment over five years, is a key pillar of Khazanah’s Advancing Malaysia strategy. Through this strategic alliance, Antler and Khazanah seek to unearth and nurture Malaysia’s entrepreneurial talents, providing them with access to Antler’s global platform and network. This collaboration opens doors to new opportunities within the Malaysian startup scene and accelerates the growth trajectory of local entrepreneurs and startups, propelling them towards international expansion and success.
By tapping into Antler’s extensive network of investors, founders, and advisors, Malaysian entrepreneurs can benefit from invaluable resources and expertise. Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “The strategic collaboration with Antler marks a new chapter in Malaysia’s entrepreneurial landscape, underscoring Khazanah’s unwavering commitment to introducing innovative and impactful solutions.
This is another step forward for our Future Malaysia Programme, which aims to scale Malaysian ideas and businesses to be globally competitive.” Antler’s unique approach to startup success, known as “Day Zero investing,” sets it apart from other entrepreneurial programs. The firm provides comprehensive support to founders throughout their journey, starting from the pre-seed stage and extending to Series A and beyond. This support includes co-founder matching, rigorous business model validation, initial capital injection, expansion assistance, and assistance in securing follow-on funding.
By embracing Antler’s investment approach, startups receive backing from their earliest days and are supported through significant growth phases. Jussi Salovaara, Co-founder and Managing Partner Asia at Antler, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are on a mission to fundamentally improve the world by backing and investing in the world’s most exceptional people from Day Zero to greatness. Founders scale their companies faster with Antler, where they can build remarkable teams, join a global community of founders, and access capital to accelerate growth.
We are especially thrilled about partnering with Khazanah to unlock this opportunity for entrepreneurs in Malaysia.” Antler aims to invest in more than 30 startups across Malaysia in the next three years. The inaugural Venture Generation Program is set to commence in October 2023, and applications are currently open. With its new office in Kuala Lumpur, Antler is poised to contribute to the growth and success of the Malaysian startup ecosystem.
