Frank Kang is the Country Head and Associate Partner for Antler Malaysia. Antler has become the most active early-stage VC in the world. They have invested in more than one-thousand startups across a wide range of industries and technologies, with the goal of backing more than six-thousand individuals by 2030.

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👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

Antler is a global early-stage VC that backs founders from day zero with pre-seed and seed capital, as well as, follow-on funding of up to ten million dollars for growth-stage startups at Series A and beyond.

We are present in thirty locations around the world, including here in Malaysia. This is where I am the country head and associate partner in charge of investing in various stages of companies.

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🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

Globally, Antler sees over one hundred-thousand aspiring founders apply to their program annually, but only about five to seven percent make the cut. In Malaysia alone, each year witnesses two cohorts, with around one thousand five-hundred applicants per cohort.

That means a tremendous amount of engagement, with thousands of interviews and discussions taking place throughout the year! It’s quite the endeavor to sift through so many ambitious entrepreneurs to find those standout individuals ready to make their mark.

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🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

I’ve been a founder myself for the past seventeen years, and I’ve been here in Malaysia for more than ten years, so I’m here to support other founders and startups in the ecosystem.

I’ve founded six companies across the US, Korea and SEA, spanning tens of rounds of fundings.

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🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

Tech companies are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, affordable AI and low-code solutions, and data privacy, driving a shift towards responsible innovation and inclusive access, while Southeast Asia's market saturation and the emergence of unicorns in countries like Malaysia force startups to rethink their business models for scalability and broader market potential.

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💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

In the heart of the American wilderness, an ancient tribe holds a secret known to few: their prayer for rain never falters.

With unwavering determination, they chant under open skies, their voices blending with the wind. Through scorching days and restless nights, they persist. And when the first drops fall, it's not magic but their steadfast faith and unity that bring forth the life-giving rains, renewing the land and affirming their bond with the earth.

If you deeply believe in your vision and your faith, never give up—keep trying until it succeeds.

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🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

Rockband.

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🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show?

“It's All Gone Pete Tong”.

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🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Cookies and Cream.