Fridtjof Berge details Antler’s “day zero” venture model
In a recent episode of the EU-Startups Podcast, Fridtjof Berge, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Antler, shared how the firm is building a new kind of global venture capital platform designed to support founders from the very first moment of company creation. Speaking with host Antonio L. Escárzaga, Berge outlined Antler’s thesis, international footprint and the trends shaping the European and global startup landscape.
A global platform for founders from day zero
Antler positions itself as a “day zero” investor, backing entrepreneurs before they have a fully formed product or even a complete founding team. According to Fridtjof Berge, the firm runs structured company-building programs in major hubs across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Africa, providing capital, coaching, and access to a curated community of potential co-founders.
Berge emphasized that this model is designed to remove friction at the earliest stages of entrepreneurship. By combining pre-seed funding with a global network of operators and advisors, Antler aims to help founders validate ideas faster, assemble stronger teams, and prepare for follow-on fundraising.
Spotting the next wave of European innovation
During the conversation, Berge highlighted several themes that Antler is tracking closely in Europe: the rise of AI startups, the maturation of deep tech, and the continued strength of fintech and B2B SaaS. He noted that many of the most promising founders are building at the intersection of software and regulated industries such as healthtech, climate tech, and financial services.
For Antler, the focus is on backing “relentlessly execution-driven” teams rather than chasing hype cycles. Berge explained that the firm looks for founders with strong domain expertise, complementary skill sets, and a clear view of how to build defensible products in competitive markets.
Building resilient startups in a tougher funding climate
Addressing the current funding environment, Berge acknowledged that capital has become more selective but argued that this can be healthy for the ecosystem. He advised early-stage founders to pay close attention to unit economics, prioritize sustainable growth, and treat early funding rounds as a way to validate business fundamentals rather than just extend runway.
Through its global presence and early-stage focus, Antler aims to help founders navigate this new reality by offering not only capital but also structured support, peer learning, and direct access to a broad base of international investors. As Berge summarized in the interview, the firm’s ambition is to become the first call for ambitious founders looking to build category-defining companies from day zero.