Heaptalk, Jakarta — Antler announced its Pre-seed funding disbursement at US$5.1 million, approximately (Rp80.4 billion), devoted to about 37 startups Southeast Asia startups, including Indonesia.
Perceiving the immense potential of early-stage startups in this region, Co-Founder and Managing Partner Asia of Antler, Jussi Salovaara, delivered that the firm is especially drawn to pre-seed investments, specifically in verticalized AI and industry 4.0 startups that address deep-seated pain points and revolutionize how models and data translate into tangible products.
“At this pivotal moment, we focus on helping founders to establish a robust foundation for business models and fostering long-term innovation within the broader tech ecosystem,”
Antler’s portfolio covers 19 diverse sectors, including AI, B2B SaaS, fintech, and health tech. This investment also marks Antler’s initial commitment and footprint in Malaysia as part of its strategic partnership with the State Wealth Fund, Khazanah. This round indicates the venture capital firm’s conviction in the current trends.
Verticalized AI shifting
This second of AI startups is expected to emerge this year as AI matures and solutions are tailored to specific industries. Antler notices a significant transformation toward building durable businesses in verticalized AI, notably in media, customer lifecycle management, and LLM integration. Around 34% of Antler’s portfolios have developed verticalized and have been injected, spanning Lunash.id, ZOLO, PingMi, and Cleve.
SEA’s 4.0 industry rising
While the manufacturing sector drives Industry 3.0, industry 4.0 technologies also possess the transformative potential to boost overall industry verticals. Several principles, including interconnectedness, data-driven decision-making, and automation, have been implemented in traditionally non-digital sectors, such as construction, transformation, and healthcare. Around 34% of the firm’s portfolios are in Industry 4.0, consisting of DASH, AssetFindr, Konstruksi.AI, Ternakin, and YOBO.
Hyperlocal startups with global scalability
Antler will also focus on investing in the SEA’s startups, building hyperlocal solutions with global scalability. With the global digital economy expected to attain US$17.5 by 2025, the firm realizes that a new wave of emerging startups is developing products that cater to hyperlocal needs in Southeast Asia while retaining the potential for global expansion.
For this reason, Antler company is currently observing potential in e-commerce, fintech, productivity, and travel to capitalize on the region’s diverse and rapidly growing market landscape, enhance solutions addressing specific local pain points, and incorporate scalable technologies for global audiences. Antler has poured funding into the industry’s startups, covering Spun. Zappy, Upbrand, and Finna.
“With greater awareness and adoption of predictive AI, Southeast Asia startups possessed the opportunity to embrace a new paradigm of hyper localization and global ambition. This approach demands founders to rethink the possibilities of products that cater to the diverse local market at mass while harboring the potential for seamless scalability across global platforms,” affirmed Partner of Antler Winnie Khoo.
