Antler Passes $2M Invested in Startups at The Precinct

Antler Passes $2M Invested in Startups at The Precinct

Six early-stage startups based at Brisbane’s The Precinct have secured more than $2 million in combined backing from global venture capital firm Antler since 2022, signalling growing momentum in Queensland’s startup ecosystem.

The investments span a diverse mix of sectors including climate tech, proptech, healthtech, edtech, fintech and the creator economy. With funding awarded to Carbonaught, Enrola, Pactify, Property Stack, OneMRI and TraderSuite, the cohort reflects increasing depth in the types of ventures emerging from Fortitude Valley, as well as investor confidence in locally built companies.

Among the recipients, Carbonaught, a company backed by Antler in 2022, is focused on carbon removal through enhanced rock weathering, while Enrola, supported by Antler in 2023, is addressing access to vocational education in Australia. Property Stack, supported by Antler in 2024, is solving the property management problem with AI. OneMRI, backed in 2025, aims to improve access to preventative healthcare, TraderSuite, backed in 2025, is developing fintech infrastructure for modern financial markets, and Pactify, backed by Antler in 2025, is targeting inefficiencies in the creator economy.

Carbonaught co-founder and chief executive Andrew Pedley said early backing from Antler had been instrumental to the company’s development.

“Antler backed Carbonaught four years ago, and it’s been great to watch them deepen their presence in Brisbane at The Precinct. Any founder will tell you that meaningful catch-ups are hard to schedule, so having people like Stefan, James and Mike regularly within 20 metres creates low-overhead information flow, which often leads to support or connections. Also having Holly and the team genuinely engaged in early stage companies creates a great environment. You simply don’t get that isolated in an office tower.”

Antler’s Queensland director Stefan Knight said the environment at The Precinct has positioned startups with great support and opportunities.

“The strength of the programs, community and overall support system here at The Precinct gives founders great opportunities to scale. It’s great to be amongst it and see this community invested and celebrating their success,” he said.

Knight has been an active presence within The Precinct community, leading Antler’s local cohort programme since 2024 and working closely with early-stage founders on the ground. The programme itself is a highly selective, full-time residency designed to help founders build startups from scratch, connecting them with co-founders, supporting idea validation, and providing access to capital and a global investor network. Applications are now open for their next cohort, kicking off in July. To learn more about the application process or submit your application, visit here.

The recent investments build on Antler’s expansion into Brisbane in early 2025, part of a broader national strategy supported by its $77 million second Australian fund. Since entering the Australian market in 2017, the firm has backed more than 120+ startups, which have collectively raised over $160 million in follow-on funding.

The concentration of investment at The Precinct highlights the growing role of Queensland as a hub for early-stage innovation, with founders increasingly choosing to build and scale locally.

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Global VC firm fast-tracks Brisbane expansion, joins The Precinct one year earlier than planned

Global VC firm fast-tracks Brisbane expansion, joins The Precinct one year earlier than planned

Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm, has accelerated its plans for Brisbane by announcing its 13th Australian residency will launch at The Precinct in 2025 alongside its Sydney and Melbourne locations.

 

Antler supports founders across 27 cities worldwide as early-stage investors, providing a clear pathway to capital, a global footprint to scale, and access to the world’s fastest-growing network of early-stage entrepreneurs.

The Precinct is Queensland’s leading startup hub, bringing together startups, scaleups, incubators and investors under the one roof.

Originally planned for 2026, this accelerated move comes at an exciting time for Antler, which has been actively expanding in Queensland throughout 2024.

With the recent close of its second Australian fund at $77 million AUD — well above the $60 million target — alongside backing from the Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund, managed by QIC, Antler have made 5 investments in Queensland tech startups from the new fund so far.

This is further enhanced by Antler’s newly introduced Agreement for Rolling Capital (ARC) structure, which will provide ongoing funding opportunities to startups beyond their initial raise.

The Brisbane residency, alongside its Sydney and Melbourne locations, will focus on developing over 15 local pre-seed startups over the next few years, and will provide aspiring and experienced founders with the in-person space and resources to validate business ideas, build scalable ventures, and unlock venture capital funding.

Antler has offered 8 residency places to Queensland founders as part of their previous cohort and says it will likely see additional investments in Queensland tech startups before the end of the year. Up to 20 slots are available for the Brisbane program commencing in February 2025.

With one of the largest communities of early-stage founders in the world, Antler’s move to co-locate at The Precinct underscores its commitment to cultivating the next generation of tech innovators in Queensland.

Joining fellow investors 77 Partners, Tidal Ventures and Acclimate Partners, Antler’s presence at The Precinct also strengthens Brisbane’s position as a growing hub for entrepreneurial talent and venture-backed tech startups.

To celebrate, join Antler at The Precinct for their official launch party on 6 Nov. The evening will feature insights from Antler, an Ask-Me-Anything panel with Antler-backed founders, and a lot of opportunities for networking and mingling over food and drinks.

Applications are now open for residency: Apply online now.

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The Precinct is an initiative  supported by the Queensland Government.

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The Precinct acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the First Nation custodians of the lands where we work, learn and connect. We pay respects to their Elders, Lores, Customs, and Creation Spirits and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s first innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists

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