Thanks for your interest, Slingshot is currently working on an invitation based system and selected participants can be admitted to the program.
AI Slingshot
Slingshot program is designed to accelerate AI innovation & deployment by supporting disruptive solutions from a grassroots level

About Slingshot program
Our Mission is to support you
We are committed to pushing AI forward by supporting disruptive ideas and the talent behind them. As artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way we plan and build state-of-the-art tech solutions, AI startups need a new framework. The 4-week program is engineered to supercharge your prototype and help you ship an MVP. It’s an exoskeleton to your tech stack that will give you the superhuman capabilities to move to market in a few weeks.
The purpose of Slingshot is to go from a Proof of Concept to a Minimum Viable Product and launch it on platforms such as Product Hunt and lablab.ai’s App Discovery.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Early-stage teams that are building AI solutions by developing & training their own models from “low level”, or teams building ground-breaking products on modern AI technology.
If you have questions or would like to talk to the Nextgrid team before submitting your application, please book a call here
- Early-stage working on AI centered solutions
- At minimum a strong proven concept backed by theory
- Highly ambitious team

WHAT DO WE OFFER
A “Slingshot” framework that allows you to move very fast and hit that critical initial traction. Nextgrid works closely with the BIG tech companies and leading AI research labs. We will unlock access to the technologies, infrastructure & AI/Tech expertise required to move fast and hit the market before the competition.
- A 4-week program tailored to hyper accelerate early-stage AI startups
- Access to state-of-the-art computing & infrastructure
- Access to AI, cloud computing & tech specialists
- A community of AI scientists & engineers

OUTCOME
When the program ends, we expect that you have reached a minimum viable product (MVP) and acquired your first customers/pilots.
- A reliable MVP or beyond 🚀
- Showcase your solution on our AI-tech demo-day
- Showcase your product on demo day to a group of carefully selected investors
- Lock investment or join our phase 2 on-location accelerator
- You become a member of Nextgrid network & family

Apply now
Slingshot programs are open for applications.
Program mentors
The startups accepted to the program will have access to the mentorship and expertise of our extensive network of mentors and advisors, comprised of serial entrepreneurs, experts in state-of-the-art AI technologies & theory, our alumni, and industry leaders.
Program start & fit
- Slingshot accepts lablab Hackathon winners and finalists on a rolling basis
- You apply to the program using this link
- If you are at a later stage, check out the AI seed program
Technology resources
We have teamed up with the leading cloud computing providers, hardware manufacturers & AI research labs to provide you with state-of-the-art technology resources tailored to your needs.
Requirements
- Solutions that utilize modern artificial intelligence technologies, including models from OpenAI, Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, Cohere, and AI21 Labs.
- Able to work a minimum of 40 hours on your product.
How much equity do you take?
We take no equity once you successfully completed the program. We only ask that we can keep helping you and a tag-along investment right in your next round.
What makes Nextgrid better?
There are plenty of seed programs and accelerators out there, but very few actually understand the true nature of artificial intelligence as well as its ecosystem. AI is Nextgrid’s area of expertise and as a result, we fully understand the hurdles and issues that arise when using this technology. Our mission is to supercharge your progress forward and unlock the specific needs that come with early-stage artificial intelligence development.
How to apply?
Click here and fill out the application form and we will be in touch with the next steps.
Can I participate online?
Yes! Our program is due to Covid being hosted 100% online and accepts applications from all over the world. We aim to bring everyone together to meet once it becomes possible.
Say hello to our friends! 👋
They love Artificial Intelligence just as much as we do and are thrilled to support the people that are building solutions on the world’s most powerful technology



