🔴The Bootstrap Insider (Basic)

Hello {{first_name}}!

Let’s check in for a moment. January is almost over, and the initial adrenaline has usually worn off by now. The goals are written down, the plans look solid—but reality has started asking tougher questions. As a founder, this is often the point where momentum either compounds… or quietly slips.

That’s exactly why this moment matters.

While others are still “getting ready,” the teams that win are already testing, shipping, and putting themselves in rooms that create leverage. This is where the accelerator comes in. Not as noise, not as theory—but as a forcing function. Deadlines, capital access, sharp feedback, and a network that actually moves things forward.

End of January isn’t about big resolutions anymore. It’s about speed with direction. Making one or two moves that genuinely change your trajectory over the next 90 days. That’s what we’re focused on—cutting through distraction and helping you turn early-year ambition into real progress.

If you’re still in the game, you’re early. Let’s use that.

🛠️ Curated with care by Bartosz & Hannah – the team behind Bootstrap Insider.
We research, vet, and deliver only the most founder-friendly opportunities.

🔎In today's newsletter:

🎯 1 Top Accelerator
– perfect for bootstrap founders.
🚀 Modern CRM for Founders
Sync your network, track VCs, and close sponsor deals with lightning speed.
💡Some inspiration
News from the startup world.

🏆 Name of the Program: Antler Residency (Inception Investing)

🎯 Aim: Antler is the world’s most active "Day Zero" investor. Its mission is to back exceptional individuals and teams even before they have a company. Antler helps founders find co-founders, validate business models, and provides the first institutional capital to build global tech giants from the ground up.

📍 Organizer: Antler Global (Headquartered in Singapore, with 30+ hubs worldwide).

🎯 Focus: Antler is sector-agnostic. They invest in any industry as long as the solution is technologically scalable. Strong presence in:

AI & Deeptech: Automation and new software infrastructure.
SaaS & Fintech: Digital solutions for B2B and financial markets.
ClimateTech & Health: Sustainable solutions and health technology.
Modern Media & Communities: Platforms and community-driven business models (ideal for high-scale newsletters).

💸 Investment & Support:

$200,000 – $500,000+ Initial Investment: Varies by region (e.g., US: $200k for 8% equity + $300k follow-on; Europe: up to €500k total package).
Day Zero Support: Hands-on help with team formation, product-market fit, and MVP development.
Global Network: Access to over 1,000 portfolio companies and a massive network of advisors and top-tier VCs for subsequent rounds.
Perks: Over $4M in technical credits (AWS, OpenAI, NVIDIA, HubSpot, etc.).

✅ Who can apply?

Solo Founders: Individuals with "Founder DNA" looking for a co-founder.
Existing Teams: Early-stage teams at the very beginning of their journey.
Requirement: 100% full-time commitment. This is not for side projects.
Profile: Antler looks for "Outliers"—people with deep domain expertise (a "spike"), extreme drive, and high resilience.

📅 Deadline: Rolling Admissions (Applications are open year-round).

Upcoming Cohort Starts: Most locations (e.g., Berlin, London, New York, Singapore) begin new cycles in March/April 2026.
Tip: With an acceptance rate of less than 1%, early application is highly recommended.

🎤 The Process:

Online Application: Short profile or LinkedIn link.
Interviews: 2-3 rounds focusing on drive, expertise, and problem-solving skills.
Residency (Phase 1): 6–10 weeks of intensive on-site collaboration (teambuilding & validation).
Investment Committee (IC): Pitching for the formal Pre-Seed investment.

📍 Location: Global (Physical residencies in hubs like New York, London, Berlin, Munich, Singapore, Bangalore, Sydney, and more).

💡 My Comment: While the MIT CEP is the "Gold Standard" for students in climate tech, Antler is the premier "Elite Forge" for anyone ready to quit their job and build a billion-dollar company. For a global newsletter startup, Antler is unbeatable because it grants you instant access to 30 different startup ecosystems simultaneously. It’s the ultimate shortcut to global visibility. 🌍🚀💎

Go to application form

AI-native CRM

“When I first opened Attio, I instantly got the feeling this was the next generation of CRM.”
— Margaret Shen, Head of GTM at Modal

Attio is the AI-native CRM for modern teams. With automatic enrichment, call intelligence, AI agents, flexible workflows and more, Attio works for any business and only takes minutes to set up.

Join industry leaders like Granola, Taskrabbit, Flatfile and more.

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💡Some inspiration

🤫Case Studies: 12 Founders to Watch This Year!

🚨Are you now ready to make money, continue to grow with your start-up and look for grants and funding opportunities?

THE BOOTSTRAP INSIDER GROWTH is the solution ⬇️

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I wish you much success with your applications!

See you next time! :)

Best,

Bartosz

[email protected]

About The Bootstrap Insider

The Bootstrap Insider is a newsletter that helps startups discover and apply for pitch competitions, ensuring they never miss out on valuable opportunities. It addresses the problem of missed funding and exposure chances due to lack of information. Created by Bartosz Kajdas, an experienced entrepreneur, venture builder and Pitchtrainer, the platform leverages his expertise to provide timely and relevant updates.

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Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. We shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use or non-use of the information provided.