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+title: "Inside lablab NEXT: Highlights from Cohort 1"
+description: "Excitement filled the lablab NEXT Stockholm office as we prepped for our first Demo Day, with startups showcasing six weeks of growth in a pitch-perfect evening after weeks of anticipation."
+image: "https://imagedelivery.net/K11gkZF3xaVyYzFESMdWIQ/d6108804-fc51-4ddf-76b0-bf2fd8454300/full"
+authorUsername: "Chorus_Minglem9r1"
+---
+
+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](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lablab-ai_startup-innovation-lablabai-activity-7247606703234445312-bzyU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop).
+
+## Meet the Startups:
+- [Autoderm](https://www.linkedin.com/company/autoderm/): Automates dermatology from diagnosis to treatment using AI, reducing doctor consultation times by 70%.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Alexander](https://calendly.com/autoderm/demo)
+
+- [ShiftLeft AI](https://www.linkedin.com/company/shiftleft-ai/): Revolutionizes software testing by automating test case generation, reducing time and costs.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Sarfraz](http://calendly.com/sarfrazhussayn/30min)
+
+- [Maia Genomics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/maiagenomics/): Uses AI to automate DNA analysis, offering faster, cheaper, and more accessible genetic testing.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Eren](http://cal.com/erenidil/30min)
+
+- [Brihaspati AI](https://www.linkedin.com/company/brihaspati/): A hyper-personal astrologer app for GenZ and GenY, addressing anxiety through AI-powered astrology.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Devadas](http://calendly.com/dev-krishnan)
+
+- [Orbit8](https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbit8/): A career assistant that uses AI to provide personalized education and career recommendations.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Pauls](http://cal.com/irbins)
+  
+- [Smabbler](https://www.linkedin.com/company/smabbler/): Offers an automated text labeling solution that accelerates ML model training by 10x.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Aga](https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/cf336c4ebecf471989fc2afd5ad39210%40smabbler.com?anonymous&isanonymous=true)
+  
+- [MindGraph](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindgraphai/): Centralizes construction project documents, enabling fast, accurate searches with AI-powered mapping.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Jan](https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ2_V3Q21qQD6v69fDAV279OqD5wK6cqJr0_Qe_kMTxJSkDJp7g3_i2S3VhpQzic1hbgUwye8tw9)
+
+- [Perlon AI](https://www.linkedin.com/company/perlonai/): Automates outbound sales emails using AI, improving efficiency and scalability for sales teams.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet St John Dalgleish](http://calendly.com/perlonai/30min)
+
+- [aiPTO Techbio](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aipto/): Uses AI to revolutionize brain cancer therapy, offering precise drug response predictions.
+
+**Booking link:** [Meet Dr. Hui Wu](hui.wu@aiptobio.com)
+
+## 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](https://newnative.typeform.com/lablab-next?typeform-source=lablab.ai)
+
+And if you’re a tech expert interested in mentoring our next cohort, [apply here](https://newnative.typeform.com/apply-to-mentor?typeform-source=lablab.ai)!
+
+That’s a wrap on Cohort 1! Until NEXT time! 🎉
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