- Czech startup Elin.ai raised €1 million in a pre-seed funding round, including €420k from JSK Investments, led by investor Simona Kijonkova.
- The funding supports the development of Elin.ai’s innovative mobile application, focused on safeguarding and enhancing the mental health of Generation Z.
- The app leverages advanced AI technology to deliver tailored mental health solutions for young users.
Simona Kijonkova is a Czech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist – and the woman behind one of the most remarkable Czech business success stories. In 2010, she founded the tech and logistics company Zasilkovna, which she grew into the Packeta Group operating in 7 European countries. In 2024, Simona sold Packeta, marking one of the most notable post-Soviet exits. Through her investment company JSK, she’s now focused on supporting projects with a positive social impact and strong global market potential.
“The mental health of young people is in a state of crisis. Studies show that up to 40% of European teenagers suffer from depression or anxiety linked to the impact of social media, with devastating effects on their psychological wellbeing and development. At the same time, access to therapeutic and psychiatric care is severely limited in many countries, including the Czech Republic. Alarmingly, for the first time in history, the suicide rates are higher among young people than among middle-aged adults, underscoring the urgent need to address this issue. That’s why I see Elin.ai as a vital project. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the platform offers an accessible solution, providing not only immediate and personalized support but also prevention and long-term care – areas we cannot overlook,” says Kijonkova.
Cognitive antivirus for the digital age
Elin.ai is a mobile application that functions as a ‘cognitive antivirus’ to help young people navigate the digital landscape and address the increasing challenges posed by the online world. More than half of today’s youth face pressures from social media, cyberbullying, and constant comparison to others.
The app helps users analyze screenshots from their devices and provides personalized advice and tools to manage emotions and deal with situations that might trigger anxiety, stress, or negative thoughts.
Improving mental health is a shared goal
A McKinsey Health Institute study on Europe’s Generation Z found that 20% of respondents rated their mental health as poor or very poor. Meanwhile, the Czech National Institute of Mental Health reports that 40% of ninth graders experience depression and 30% show signs of anxiety. These figures underscore the growing need for projects that improve individual mental well-being and positively influence societal dynamics as a whole.
“Our mission is to help young people cope with immediate stress and foster long-term positive mental health in the digital media environment. The investment from JSK allows us to expand the app to international markets and enhance our AI models to address a broader range of mental health challenges faced by Gen Z,” says Jan Romportl, CEO and co-founder of Elin.ai.
Innovation for youth mental health
Elin.ai collaborates with psychiatrists to develop specialized AI models that simulate the expertise of mental health professionals. The app provides individualized support to address issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and eating disorders while acting as a trusted companion available 24/7 through a chat interface. Elin.ai focuses on prevention, crisis management, and long-term well-being by providing immediate, tailored assistance.
“Behind every individual struggling with mental health issues lies a broader societal challenge. People with mental health disorders often experience feelings of helplessness and frustration, which can lead to radicalization, extremist views, or susceptibility to conspiracy theories. Supporting mental health is key to individual wellbeing and for improving the overall societal climate,” explains Professor Jiri Horacek, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and co-founder of Elin.ai.
Strategic investment for global growth
JSK Investments’ backing of Elin.ai is both financial and strategic. Leveraging their strong market position, JSK Investments will connect Elin.ai with key partners to accelerate the startup’s growth and fast-track processes for effective expansion into international markets.
Within the current pre-seed round, JSK Investments joins VC firms Presto Ventures and BD Partners, who backed Elin.ai in the spring of 2024 – closing the round at €1 million. Elin.ai has already gained over 2,000 users with a high weekly retention rate, and aims to grow its community to 5,000 active users by the end of the year. The MVP version of the app has been available since the end of October on both Android and iOS app stores. Over the coming months, the startup will focus on testing the app in foreign markets and developing new AI models targeting specific issues, such as eating disorders, anxiety, and conspiracy theories.
