Hal9 Weekly Roundup: Learn How Founders Like SmallTownMove Built AI Products in Weeks


At Hal9, we help Startup Founders turn AI ideas into products—fast. Each week, we share insights from our founder Javier, spotlight real customer stories, and keep you updated on what’s happening at Hal9 and beyond.


Event Spotlight: Webinar Today

Last Chance to Join — Thursday, Oct 16 · 11:00 AM PT

Online

Building an AI product doesn’t have to take months—or millions.

Join Lou Bajuk and Javier Luraschi as they walk through Hal9’s proven 3-Stage Playbook that’s helped dozens of founders move from idea → MVP → customer in record time.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to validate your idea before writing code
✅ How to build prototypes that feel real, fast
✅ How to launch without getting stuck in DevOps

Plus, you’ll hear real founder stories—how early-stage startups shipped their first AI features in under 30 days.

👉 Join the live session here


Javier’s Insights of the Week

Vibe Coding ≠ Product

Founders often mistake a working UI for a working MVP. Tools like Lovable and Replit are amazing for quick starts—but if your backend isn’t connected, your data isn’t clean, and your AI logic isn’t integrated, you’re still in prototype land.
👉 Lesson: The difference between a prototype and a product is the backend.


When “Lovable” Isn’t Enough

A founder recently spent 3 months building an app in Lovable. Hal9 helped him turn that prototype into a fully working MVP—in just 7 days.
He tested it at New York Fashion Week and collected real customer feedback.
👉 Lesson: When vibe-coded apps hit their ceiling, real engineering turns vision into traction.


Family, Founders & What Really Matters

Javier and his brother Pedro didn’t grow up side-by-side—but building Hal9 changed that. What started as a shared passion for AI has become a partnership built on trust, creativity, and shared purpose.
👉 Lesson: Success isn’t just about valuations. Sometimes, the biggest reward is who you get to build it with.


Founder Spotlight: SmallTownMove

AI-Powered Relocation Made Personal

SmallTownMove helps people escape the city and find their ideal small town—combining local data and AI-powered recommendations to match users with the perfect community.

Hal9 helped SmallTownMove:
🌆 Build an AI system that filters thousands of towns based on personal priorities
💬 Develop a conversational interface that acts like a “local expert”
⚡ Deliver a working MVP in just six weeks

The result? A platform that connects data with empathy—turning the dream of a slower, more connected life into reality.

👉 Read the full story


Let’s Talk

We love talking with founders, current and aspiring—whether you’re refining your idea or scaling your product.

👉 Book a 30 minute Strategy Call with Javier here to share your product or idea, and explore how we can help.

Or reply with your biggest AI product challenge—we’ll feature answers in future issues

Talk soon,
The Hal9 Team

Hi from Hal9!

Each week we share insights from our founder Javier, spotlight real customer stories, and keep you updated on what’s happening at Hal9 and beyond. Looking forward to staying in touch.

Read more from Hi from Hal9!

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