• •An anonymous founder reports experiences with 'liars' and 'narcissists' at a recent Antler cohort.
• •The account highlights risks inherent in structured networking platforms designed to force partnerships.
• •It remains unclear if such anecdotal accounts represent a systemic issue or isolated cohort dynamics.

A former Antler participant recently published a warning regarding the character of potential co-founders met through structured networking platforms. While these programs are designed to accelerate team formation through high-intensity matching, this account underscores the significant personal risks of committing to partners without long-term vetting. Unlike traditional organic professional networking, these programs often create artificial pressure that may mask personality clashes or ethical misalignments. The long-term impact on venture success depends on whether platforms can implement more robust psychological screening alongside their business-centric matching criteria.