Antler India
Antler India is the Indian arm of global venture firm Antler, set up by Nitin Sharma and Rajiv Srivatsa after Antler entered the Indian market in 2020. The firm backs founders from the idea stage, writing early checks between $150,000 and $200,000, with a $75 million maiden fund closed in 2021. That fund had backed 80 companies across AI, fintech, and deep tech by the end of 2024
Overview
Antler India is the Indian arm of Antler, a global venture capital firm. Magnus Grimeland founded the global firm in Singapore in 2017. Antler entered the Indian market in mid-2020. Nitin Sharma and Rajiv Srivatsa set up its India operations soon after. Sharma had built the syndicate FirstPrinciples VC before joining Antler. Srivatsa had co-founded the furniture brand Urban Ladder.
Investment Focus and Stage
Antler India backs founders from the idea stage through later rounds. It writes early checks between $150,000 and $200,000 per founding team. The firm reserves additional capital for follow-on rounds through Series A and B. It reviews thousands of applicants and invests in a small fraction of them. AI, consumer tech, fintech, deep tech, health, and climate all sit within its scope.
Fund Size and Portfolio
Antler India closed its maiden fund at $75 million in 2021. That fund, worth about Rs 600 crore, backed 80 companies by the end of 2024. The firm invested in 30 new startups during 2024 alone. It planned to deploy another $25 million from the same fund in 2025. SIDBI and more than 125 limited partners backed this fund. Several unicorn founders sit among those limited partners.
Leadership
Nitin Sharma and Rajiv Srivatsa co-founded Antler's India operations together. Sharma previously worked at NEA and Lightbox Ventures before this role. Srivatsa co-founded Urban Ladder and later became a partner at Antler. Both hold the title of general partner within the India team. They lead sourcing, evaluation, and portfolio support across the country.