How It Began 

Antler, a global early-stage accelerator, empowers founders to transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses. With a presence in 21 countries across APAC, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa, Antler supports a growing portfolio of over 1,200 companies worldwide, including 200 in the U.S. alone. These startups are often in their pre-seed stages, requiring hands-on guidance and reliable support to navigate the complexities of building a company. That’s where Antler’s partnership with Justworks proves invaluable.

Supporting Early-Stage Startups

Antler’s portfolio companies typically consist of one to two founders in their earliest stages of building a team. These entrepreneurs face the dual challenge of running lean operations while setting up critical business functions like payroll and HR. The startup ecosystem also demands quick responses and adaptable solutions—delays and inefficiencies in operational systems can hinder growth.

According to Samantha Cerqueira, Antler’s Director of Programs and Partnerships, "Startups are moving at a rapid pace and need partners who can keep up with them. Founders don’t have time to wait days for responses or navigate cumbersome systems."

A Range of Support  

Antler first partnered with Justworks in September, building on three years of prior experience using the platform. Justworks stood out for several reasons:

1. Hands-On Support:

Antler prioritizes white-glove service in its partnerships. Justworks mirrors this value, providing direct, personalized support to Antler’s portfolio companies.

Founders often just want to hop on a quick call to get their questions answered. With Justworks, the response time is incredible, and the team is always willing to jump in and help solve complex issues.

2. Support for Solo and Small Teams:

Unlike many competitors, Justworks supports startups with as few as one employee, making it ideal for solo founders and small teams.

A lot of HR/payroll solutions require at least 3–5 employees to even get started. Justworks can help from day one, and that flexibility is invaluable.

3. Ease of Use:

Founders appreciate the simplicity of Justworks’ platform, which centralizes payroll, benefits, and HR resources into an intuitive dashboard.

Everything you need is there at a click of a button—from benefits to payroll to team structures. It’s so user-friendly that I find myself checking it weekly for various tasks.

4. Community and Authenticity:

Antler highlights Justworks’ relationship-building approach as a key differentiator.

At events, the Justworks team isn’t just selling a product—they’re genuinely interested in helping founders succeed. That authenticity makes them memorable and trustworthy.

Streamlined Operations for Startups

Since partnering with Justworks, Antler has seen its portfolio companies benefit from improved operational efficiency and reduced administrative burden. Founders can focus on scaling their businesses, knowing payroll, compliance, and HR tasks are handled seamlessly.

One notable example involved a founder navigating tax compliance for the first time. When faced with a complex query about filing a Form 941, the Justworks team swiftly connected the founder with an expert to resolve the issue.

That kind of hands-on support takes the pressure off VC funds like us to be the experts in everything. It’s a game-changer for founders.

Antler’s mission is to guide startups from ideation to successful seed funding and beyond. Justworks is integral to this journey, offering scalable solutions that grow alongside startups.

We’re excited to see our portfolio companies mature and know Justworks will be there to support them from one employee to 500 and beyond. It’s a frictionless experience, which is exactly what founders need as they scale.

Why Antler’s Portfolio Companies Chose Justworks

Word-of-mouth plays a significant role in the startup ecosystem, and Justworks has earned a stellar reputation among founders.

Founders trust word of mouth recommendations from their peers. Justworks consistently stands out as a trusted partner, known for exceptional service and an understanding of the unique challenges startups face.

For Antler, partnering with Justworks is about more than payroll—it’s about empowering founders to build their dreams without being bogged down by administrative hurdles. As Antler continues to support a new wave of entrepreneurs, Justworks remains a steadfast partner in creating the foundation for long-term success.

If you want the five-star experience you got in the Antler program, Justworks is the payroll and PEO provider for you. They’ll take care of payroll and HR so you can focus on building your company.

This partnership is a testament to the shared vision of supporting entrepreneurs from day one, fostering growth, and building a community of innovative changemakers.

Interested in Partnering with Justworks?

Justworks can help your company offer your clients more, gain access to HR tools, and even earn rewards. Feel free to reach out and read more about our partnership program.