Antler Japan is a 6-week pre-seed residency in Tokyo investing $150K for 10% plus up to $250K follow-on. Rolling applications; next cohort starts Nov 2, 2026.
Antler Japan is the Tokyo arm of Antler's day-zero investment model. The program is a six-week residency where aspiring founders meet potential co-founders, test ideas and form companies, and Antler invests $150K for 10% equity in teams that are selected, with up to $250K available as follow-on funding.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions typically in two to three weeks, and there is no fixed application deadline. The next cohort starts on November 2, 2026, so applying soon matters if a founder wants that intake. Antler accepts solo founders and pre-team individuals, which makes it a useful entry point for experienced operators and technologists who have not yet found a co-founder.
The Tokyo residency is a good fit for founders who want to build for Japan or use Japan as a base for Asia-Pacific. Founders receive coaching on product, customers and fundraising, access to Antler's global network of founders and investors, and a path to follow-on capital as the company matures. Because Antler recruits across industries, applicants are not limited to a specific sector. Confirm cohort dates and terms on the official page before applying.
Most applications for programs like this ask for a short pitch deck, a clear description of the team and evidence of traction or customer conversations. Founders should tighten their story before applying and submit as soon as the application is complete, because rolling review tends to reward early, well-prepared submissions over last-minute ones.
Our pitch deck template will guide you through the requirements of an Accelerator-ready presentation.
