To foster diversity and innovation in the startup ecosystem, a more meritocratic investment system is essential, one that removes barriers for underrepresented founders.

Currently, 40% of Europe's unicorn founders hail from just 20 elite universities, underscoring significant socio-economic disparities in entrepreneurship.

The venture capital landscape remains largely closed, with personal connections often determining who secures meetings with investors.

Aspiring founders frequently grapple with uncertainty regarding financial stability, which significantly hampers their ability to launch new startups.

Despite the UK being the third largest tech ecosystem globally, access to capital continues to be a major hurdle for early-stage founders.

Women receive only 2% of venture capital funding, with even lower percentages allocated to black and ethnic minority founders.

The common reliance on friends and family for initial funding disproportionately benefits those who are financially secure, thus limiting opportunities for many aspiring entrepreneurs.

Antler is committed to dismantling these barriers, operating under the belief that while talent is ubiquitous, opportunities are not.

Encouraging diverse and underrepresented founders could significantly boost the UK economy and productivity by enabling experts in specialized fields to establish startups rather than remain in corporate roles.

Collaboration between investors and policymakers is crucial to enhancing access to capital for all founders, regardless of their background.

Two of the primary barriers to entrepreneurship include the need for financial security to take risks and the lack of connections to potential investors.

A fair application process for investment should prioritize merit, allowing diverse founders with unique expertise to thrive.