Entrepreneurs based in Munich or planning to establish a company in the region can apply for the Antler Continental Europe Munich 2026 residency.

Munich forms part of Antler ONE, a combined European founder programme centred in Berlin and supported through launch pads in Munich and Amsterdam. It is therefore important to understand that applicants are not entering an entirely separate Munich-only cohort.

The next Continental Europe residency begins on 14 September 2026. Antler’s official schedule identifies this as a cohort start date rather than an application deadline, and applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible.

How Does the Munich Programme Work?

Founders accepted into Antler ONE join one of two tracks.

Complete teams normally participate for approximately six weeks. Munich-based teams typically spend the first two weeks physically working with the wider founder community in Berlin before continuing from Antler’s Munich launch pad.

Solo founders and incomplete teams may join for around ten weeks. The additional period allows them to meet potential co-founders, test working relationships and develop a strong business direction.

The length can vary according to a team’s progress. Antler may accelerate an investment where it develops sufficient conviction before the standard residency ends.

Is Antler an Accelerator or VC Fund?

Antler describes itself as an inception-stage investor rather than a traditional accelerator or incubator.

Its goal is to identify exceptional founders, work with them from the beginning and become their first institutional investor. It can then continue supporting successful companies through later funding rounds.

Participation does not guarantee investment. Founders receive a structured building environment, while investment decisions are based on performance, team quality and the potential scale of the company.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The Munich opportunity is open to complete founding teams, incomplete teams and individual founders seeking co-founders.

Applicants may already have a product or early traction, but this is not compulsory. Antler accepts some candidates who are still exploring ideas where their background and potential indicate that they could build an important company.

The strongest candidates generally demonstrate:

• Exceptional technical, scientific or commercial skill;
• Deep understanding of an important market;
• Evidence of rapid execution;
• Ability to attract talented people;
• High personal ownership;
• Full-time commitment;
• Ambition to build a globally significant company.

Antler states that only approximately 2% of applicants are invited to its Continental Europe residency.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Antler ONE can provide an initial commitment of up to €500,000.

The investment is divided into:

• €100,000 converting into 8.5% equity before the next financing round;
• €100,000 through an uncapped convertible note with most-favoured-nation terms;
• Up to €300,000 reserved through Antler’s rolling-capital agreement for a qualifying external round within nine months.

Antler states that these components typically convert into approximately 10% equity at a €5 million valuation.

Because part of the investment converts according to later fundraising terms, the final dilution may vary. Applicants should obtain professional legal advice before signing.

Antler may continue investing in successful companies through Series C, with up to €30 million in total capital potentially available over a company’s lifetime.

What Happens During the Residency?

The residency is built around execution.

Founders receive office space, one-to-one support, access to potential co-founders, infrastructure benefits and introductions within Antler’s global network. They are expected to speak with customers, build products, test pricing, establish commercial evidence and refine their fundraising story.

Antler does not require startups to operate within one specified industry. It considers companies across software, artificial intelligence, fintech, climate technology, healthcare, industrial technology and other scalable markets.

At the investment stage, Antler examines founder performance, company trajectory, founder–idea fit, market potential and whether the business can become a category leader.

Application and Visa Requirements

Applications are submitted through Antler’s global form. Choose Continental Europe rather than searching for a separate Munich application.

Applicants can only have one active residency application at a time. They must also possess the immigration permission needed to enter and remain in Germany or another country required by the programme.

Antler does not arrange visas, although an admission offer may include documentation that an applicant can use during an independent visa process.

Official Application Link

Apply for Antler Continental Europe Munich 2026

Select Europe and then Continental Europe (Amsterdam/Berlin/Munich).