Elin.ai, a mental health application designed to support Gen Z and Alpha’s well-being, has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by JSK Investments and Simona Kijonkova, with Kijonkova contributing an additional €420K.
In this round, JSK Investments joins existing investors Presto Ventures and BD Partners, which backed Elin.ai in the spring of 2024. The company will use the funding to develop its mobile application and enhance its AI technology.
Elin.ai addresses the need for “cognitive antivirus”
Founded in 2018 by Jan Romportl (who was awarded AI Personality of the Year 2024), Petr Stanislav, and Jiri Horacek, Elin.ai tackles pressing mental health challenges faced by Generation Z.
Studies reveal a concerning statistic: up to 40% of European teenagers grapple with depression or chronic anxiety, conditions often exacerbated by social media. Compounding this issue is a global shortage of mental health services for young people, making timely help a distant dream. Elin.ai steps into this gap, offering immediate support and resources tailored for young users, providing a much-needed digital lifeline.
The “cognitive antivirus” platform monitors users’ online interactions and analyses their content consumption. Today’s youth face unprecedented pressures from social media, cyberbullying, and constant peer comparison. The app analyses device screenshots and offers personalised advice and emotional management tools, helping users cope with anxiety triggers and stress. This approach helps counter harmful online content that can foster negative thought patterns and emotional distress.
“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.
Behind the AI mental health platform
Elin.ai, in collaboration with psychiatrists, has developed AI models that mirror the expertise of mental health professionals. Through its 24/7 chat interface, the app becomes a trusted companion, offering personalised support for a range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to loneliness and eating disorders. The platform’s focus on prevention, crisis management, and sustainable well-being ensures users receive the individualised assistance they need.
“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 radicalisation, extremist views, or susceptibility to conspiracy theories. Supporting mental health is key to individual well-being and improving the overall societal climate,” explains Professor Jiri Horacek, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and co-founder of Elin.ai.
Elin.ai has attracted over 2,000 users with strong weekly retention and aims to reach 5,000 active users by year-end. The MVP version launched in late October on both Android and iOS platforms. The startup plans to test international markets and develop specialised AI models for specific issues, including eating disorders, anxiety, and conspiracy theories.
The future of mental health is AI-driven
Integrating AI into mental healthcare presents a compelling opportunity to manage psychological well-being. As AI technologies advance, they promise to change treatment methods, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and broaden access to mental health resources.
Elin.ai recognises the critical need for accessible mental health support, particularly in light of youth suicide rates surpassing those of middle-aged adults — an unprecedented shift in history. The platform offers an affordable and accessible mental health solution, helping bridge the gaps in traditional therapeutic and psychiatric care that young people face across various countries, including the Czech Republic.
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