Czech startup Elin.ai has closed a €1M Pre-Seed funding round, including €420,000 from JSK Investments, led by entrepreneur and investor Simona Kijonkova.
JSK Investments will connect Elin.ai with key partners 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 €1M.
Elin’s mobile app aims to protect and improve the mental health of Generation Z. 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.
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.
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.
“The mental health of young people is in a state of crisis. Studies show that up to 40 percent 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,” said Simona Kijonkova.
“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,” added Jan Romportl, CEO and co-founder.