Inside lablab NEXT: Highlights from Cohort 1

The excitement at the lablab NEXT Stockholm office was undeniable as we prepped for our very first Demo Day. The usual buzz transformed into focused anticipation as everyone geared up for the big event.

When the time came, our Program Team proudly kicked things off, and the startups took the stage to showcase how much they had grown over the past six weeks. It was truly a pitch-perfect evening!

But before we get into Demo Day, let’s take a quick look back at how Cohort 1 came together and led to this unforgettable moment.

Prep Week

Before the cohort officially began, we kicked things off with introductory sessions for both mentors and startups. The focus was on creating a supportive, collaborative space. We reassured everyone that this program was built around learning and growing together.

Week 1: Connecting and Pitching

We started with a welcome call, where mentors and startups met to exchange insights and discuss needs. Startups delivered their first pitches, giving us a preview of the innovative ideas to come. The week was packed with knowledge-sharing sessions on technical leadership, innovation, and industry trends, wrapping up with an expert-led AI session. This week was crucial to understand each startup's specific needs and align them with mentors who could provide targeted guidance, and plan the upcoming weeks.

Week 2: Sharpening Focus

With the pace picking up, we dove into more complex topics like MVP launches, technical leadership, and KPI setting. Startups reassessed their missions and prepared for upcoming challenges. Separate sessions with CEOs, CTOs, and mentors ensured deep discussions on growth strategies.

Week 3: Gearing Up for Demo Day

As Demo Day approached, we held an internal pitch practice, and the energy was high. We explored AI tools to help startups automate tasks and boost efficiency. Startups fine-tuned their value propositions and business models, while mentors provided guidance on crafting impactful messaging.

Week 4: Refining the Sales Pipeline

We focused on the sales pipeline, helping startups shape strong selling strategies. With mentors' customized feedback, startups pitched again—this time with more confidence and clarity. The collective wisdom of our mentors played a crucial role in this growth.

Weeks 5 & 6: The Final Push

The final stretch was intense! 🚀 Startups refined their GTM strategies, customer acquisition, and branding skills, with mentors offering support in fundraising and strategic planning. A standout session on AI product adoption highlighted how to build user trust. By the end, our startups were Demo Day ready!

Demo Day Recap:

After weeks of preparation, Demo Day was the grand finale. Every startup showcased its growth and readiness to scale. It was a proud moment for all of us at lablab NEXT. Missed it? You can still watch the Demo Day stream here.

Meet the Startups:

• Autoderm: Automates dermatology from diagnosis to treatment using AI, reducing doctor consultation times by 70%.

Booking link: Meet Alexander

• ShiftLeft AI: Revolutionizes software testing by automating test case generation, reducing time and costs.

Booking link: Meet Sarfraz

• Maia Genomics: Uses AI to automate DNA analysis, offering faster, cheaper, and more accessible genetic testing.

Booking link: Meet Eren

• Brihaspati AI: A hyper-personal astrologer app for GenZ and GenY, addressing anxiety through AI-powered astrology.

Booking link: Meet Devadas

• Orbit8: A career assistant that uses AI to provide personalized education and career recommendations.

Booking link: Meet Pauls

• Smabbler: Offers an automated text labeling solution that accelerates ML model training by 10x.

Booking link: Meet Aga

• MindGraph: Centralizes construction project documents, enabling fast, accurate searches with AI-powered mapping.

Booking link: Meet Jan

• Perlon AI: Automates outbound sales emails using AI, improving efficiency and scalability for sales teams.

Booking link: Meet St John Dalgleish

• aiPTO Techbio: Uses AI to revolutionize brain cancer therapy, offering precise drug response predictions.

Booking link: Meet Dr. Hui Wu

Hear from Startups

• The lablab team did a meticulous job in organizing the cohort. We got good support in finetuning our pitch, getting the story better and even setting up the KPIs. - Brishapati AI

• It was a great experience to work alongside other startups. It's easier to cope with the daily struggles of running a startup. We felt supported and believed in. - MindGraph

• I love the whole idea about the program and how it is structured. I'd love to recommend it to tech-first startups who are rapidly iterating and coming up with their first MVP, and focusing on putting something together. - ShiftLeft AI

• Great experts & mentors. Boosting development. Valuable networking. - Smabbler

Spread the Word

Though this cohort has come to an end, the journey doesn’t stop here. At lablab NEXT, we believe in building a strong community where we support and uplift each other long after the program ends.

If you know of any startups that could benefit from our accelerator program, feel free to share this link: Startup Application

And if you’re a tech expert interested in mentoring our next cohort, apply here!

That’s a wrap on Cohort 1! Until NEXT time! 🎉