A low-threshold self-starting Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser was demonstrated by use of a tight focusing cavity design and a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror (SESAM). With a 3% and a 12% output couplers, mode-locking thresholds as low as 390 mW and 600 mW weve achieved, respectively. Stable femtosecond laser pulses with average power of 114 mW were generated for pump power at 1.2 W, which correspond to a typical duration of 17 fs and bandwidth of 47 nm.