Founding Civils.ai
Q: Can you provide some background on your company?
A: Civils.ai was incorporated in May 2022. The full story goes back to when Stefan and I met at Antler’s cohort in February of that year. We teamed up during the program after a mid-term evaluation. When we joined forces, I brought my AI background, and Stefan, being a civil engineer, discussed challenges in early construction projects, particularly manual data collection for construction sites. Inspired by this, we decided to use AI to automate these tasks. With this concept, we created an MVP and gained traction through the program.
Why Antler
Q: Why did you decide to apply to Antler?
A: I previously co-founded another startup in Europe, but after parting ways due to differences with my co-founders, I knew I wanted to continue in the startup world but not in Europe because of its bureaucracy. While Europe has ample capital, it’s essential to consider “smart money” – it’s not just about having funds, but how and who deploys it. While exploring accelerator options, Antler’s impressive LinkedIn marketing caught my attention. I applied, and within three weeks, they invited me to join. So, after some preparations, I made the quick move to Singapore. It was a whirlwind but a rewarding decision.
Navigating the Antler Application and Initiation
Q: Can you detail the Antler application process?
A: I applied for Antler either through LinkedIn or their website. After applying, they initiate an interview process. I underwent three interviews: one with HR and two with partners. I believe some have up to five interviews, but in my case, things moved quickly due to the program’s imminent start. After my last interview, I was promptly told to pack and come over.
Inside Antler’s Program
Q: What follows after getting accepted into Antler?
A: Once accepted, you need to handle visa documentation. As a European, I initially moved to Singapore on a tourist pass while applying for a proper visa. Meanwhile, Antler provides tasks like preparing presentations of your ideas. Upon arrival, they immerse you in activities to help find a co-founder. Essentially, you’ll be among 70-90 people, and the first 3-5 weeks involve activities to meet potential partners. The quicker you find a match, the sooner you can focus on your project, leading up to the IC phase at the end.
Q: Was mentorship a part of the Antler program?
A: Yes, each participant is assigned a mentor. You can schedule meetings with them for feedback. Antler’s primary strength lies in helping you find a co-founder and secure initial funding. Comparing Antler with Iterative, the latter offers more support in areas like strategy, product-building, and go-to-market. Many from Iterative have extensive venture experience, while Antler emphasizes networking.
Q: Did you receive any funding from the program?
A: Regarding fundraising, we initially raised a 100k pre-seed round, followed by a 200k round – 175k from Iterative and 25k from Antler. Out of the cohort of around 90 participants, only 15 to 20, representing 7 to 10 startups, typically secure funding. This emphasizes the need for individuals to be proactive and stand out during the program.
Q: Besides funding, what did you gain most from Antler?
A: One of the most valuable aspects was their expertise in fundraising. They have substantial experience dealing with investors. Antler advised us on the best time and strategy for fundraising. They emphasized not burning bridges with VCs and suggested a phased approach. We initially approached a few VCs but decided to hold off after realizing it was too early. The great part is that we still have funds interested in us that we haven’t fully engaged with yet.
Apart from that, Antler remains supportive even post-program. They assist in approaching investors because it’s in their interest to see us succeed. We haven’t leveraged their help extensively, but they’re there when needed.
Civils.ai’s Current Status
Q: What’s the company’s current status?
A: By April, during Antler’s Investment Committee (IC) phase, we had about 5,000 monthly active users. We continued to refine our product, and by August, we realized we needed some tweaks in our market approach and narrative. Today, we boast nearly 15,000 monthly active users on our site and have launched our advanced product suite with 6 to 10 paying customers. When it comes to the team our team consists of seven members. The core team comprises the CEO, COO, and CTO. We also have someone focusing on content and three people handling operations based in the Philippines.
Q: How do you balance inbound and outbound marketing?
A: We have a good mix. About 60% is inbound, driven largely by SEO and content marketing. The rest is outbound, where we reach out to those who’ve engaged with our content, left their email for more information, or whom we contact on platforms like LinkedIn.
Final Advice
Q: Any final advice for founders considering applying to Antler?
A: When joining Antler, don’t expect to be handheld throughout the journey. The primary value they offer is facilitating connections with other potential co-founders and, at the end of the program, access to capital. Post-program, they offer a network of investors. However, most responsibilities, problem-solving, and hustle fall on the founders themselves.