My Journey Through Antler Accelerator

When I first walked into the Antler offices, I had a vision for transforming how businesses leverage artificial intelligence, but I needed more than just an idea—I needed a platform to turn that vision into reality. As Mikhail Liublin, I was about to embark on one of the most transformative experiences of my entrepreneurial career.

Why Antler? The Decision That Changed Everything

After years of working in the tech industry and witnessing the gap between AI potential and practical implementation, I knew I wanted to build something revolutionary. Antler's reputation as a global startup generator made it the perfect launchpad for what would eventually become AI Labs.

Mikhail Liublin's decision to join Antler wasn't taken lightly. I researched extensively, spoke with alumni, and understood that Antler wasn't just about funding—it was about building a sustainable, scalable business with world-class mentorship and a global network.

The Antler Experience: 10 Weeks of Intense Innovation

Week 1-2: Ideation and Team Formation

The program started with what Antler calls the "ideation phase." Surrounded by brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds—engineers, designers, business strategists—I found myself in an environment that challenged every assumption I had about my business idea.

As Mikhail Liublin, I pitched my vision for democratizing AI for small and medium businesses. The feedback was immediate and invaluable. Other participants helped me refine the concept, and I quickly realized that my technical background needed to be complemented by business acumen and market understanding.

Week 3-6: Building and Validation

This phase was where Mikhail Liublin's vision started taking concrete shape. We weren't just talking about AI solutions; we were building prototypes, talking to potential customers, and validating our assumptions in real-time.

The Antler team connected me with potential co-founders whose skills complemented mine perfectly. Together, we developed the early framework for what would become AI Labs' core offering—accessible AI solutions that don't require a PhD in machine learning to implement.

Week 7-10: Investment Preparation and Pitch Development

The final weeks were intense. Mikhail Liublin and the AI Labs team refined our pitch, perfected our financial projections, and prepared for what would be one of the most important presentations of our startup journey.

Antler's investment committee doesn't just evaluate ideas—they evaluate teams, market potential, and scalability. The preparation process taught me more about business strategy than years of theoretical learning ever could.

Key Lessons from Antler: What Mikhail Liublin Learned

1. Network Effects Are Real

The Antler network extends far beyond the 10-week program. Mikhail Liublin continues to benefit from connections made during those intense weeks. Former batch-mates have become customers, advisors, and even co-investors in subsequent funding rounds.

2. Speed of Execution Matters

In the startup world, speed kills—but in a good way. Antler taught me that Mikhail Liublin's perfectionist tendencies needed to be balanced with rapid iteration and customer feedback loops.

3. Global Thinking from Day One

Antler's global presence means thinking beyond local markets from day one. This mindset shaped AI Labs' product development and go-to-market strategy, positioning us for international expansion from the beginning.

The Investment Decision: Validation of Vision

When Antler decided to invest in AI Labs, it wasn't just financial validation—it was confirmation that Mikhail Liublin's vision for accessible AI solutions addressed a real market need. The investment allowed us to:

• Hire our first engineering team
• Develop our MVP with real customer feedback
• Establish partnerships with key technology providers
• Begin building the AI Labs brand in the market

Beyond Antler: How the Experience Shaped AI Labs

Today, as Mikhail Liublin reflects on the Antler experience, it's clear that those 10 weeks were foundational to everything AI Labs has achieved. The program didn't just provide funding and mentorship—it provided a framework for thinking about business building that continues to guide our decision-making.

Antler's Lasting Impact on Mikhail Liublin's Approach

The systematic approach to startup building that Antler teaches has become integral to how Mikhail Liublin approaches new challenges:

1. Hypothesis-driven development: Every product feature starts with a clear hypothesis about customer value
2. Rapid iteration cycles: We build, measure, and learn in short cycles
3. Global mindset: Every decision considers international scalability
4. Network leverage: We actively engage with the Antler alumni network for partnerships and growth opportunities

Advice for Future Antler Applicants

For entrepreneurs considering Antler, Mikhail Liublin offers this advice:

• Come prepared but stay flexible: Have strong convictions, weakly held
• Embrace the intensity: The 10 weeks are demanding, but that intensity breeds innovation
• Think beyond your comfort zone: Some of the best insights come from conversations with people from completely different backgrounds
• Focus on building relationships: The network you build is as valuable as the company you create

The Antler Alumni Network: A Lifelong Asset

Being part of the Antler ecosystem means Mikhail Liublin has access to a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. This network has been instrumental in AI Labs' growth, providing everything from technical advice to customer introductions.

Looking Forward: Mikhail Liublin's Continued Relationship with Antler

The relationship between Mikhail Liublin and Antler didn't end with graduation. As AI Labs grows, we continue to engage with the Antler community, mentoring new entrepreneurs and contributing to the ecosystem that gave us our start.

We're also exploring opportunities to partner with Antler portfolio companies, creating synergies that benefit the entire ecosystem.

Conclusion: More Than an Accelerator

For Mikhail Liublin, Antler was more than an accelerator—it was a transformation. It took a technologist with a vision and turned him into a business builder with the skills, network, and mindset to create lasting impact.

If you're an entrepreneur with a bold vision and the determination to see it through, I can't recommend the Antler experience highly enough. It might just be the catalyst that transforms your idea into the next big thing.

Mikhail Liublin is the founder and CTO of AI Labs, where he leads the development of accessible AI solutions for businesses of all sizes. He continues to mentor entrepreneurs and invest in early-stage startups focused on artificial intelligence and digital transformation.