Czech
From the heart of Brno to global law enforcement agencies, Czech start-up Lightly is reshaping the fight against counterfeit medicines and illicit drugs. Founded by Monika Štěpánová, a former business student turned biological chemistry PhD, Lightly is developing a game-changing portable device capable of identifying dangerous substances in real time — and connecting cases through a secure database.
Štěpánová‘s entrepreneurial pivot is a striking example of how Europe’s Competitiveness Compass package, including the Union of Skills Strategy and Startup and Scaleup Strategy, is empowering STEM talent to translate research into practical, life-saving solutions.
While headquartered in Brno, Czech Republic — a Widening country benefiting from EU innovation support — Lightly is actively expanding to the United States, working closely with Czech Police, Sheriff’s Office in Hunstville, Alabama and with law enforcement partners such as the DEA, Interpol, and US police departments. The next step is to work with the FBI.
“We started building these relationships even before we founded the company,” – says Štěpánová, highlighting how Lightly’s global ambition echoes the AI Continent Action Plan’s emphasis on technology solving real-world societal challenges.
With a team of eight and aspirations to grow, Lightly has secured over €230,000 in non-dilutive funding through EU grants and prize money. The next goal? Raising €1–10 million to scale the technology, secure certifications, expand the team, and launch in global markets.
Lightly’s trajectory has been shaped profoundly by the EIT Jumpstarter and EIT Jumpstarter Next (formerly known as EIT Post Jumpstarter) programmes, which provided critical business mentoring, funding, and international networking opportunities. “I always say that EIT Jumpstarter was the best learning experience I’ve ever had — it gave us the tools and connections to succeed,” Štěpánová recalls.
Participation in the EIT Jumpstarter Next programme took the Lightly team to New York, helping them forge valuable ties within the US innovation ecosystem. These initiatives are key components of the European Commission’s STEM Education Strategic Plan, supporting entrepreneurs to build a highly skilled workforce in deep tech fields like biotech and security.
Štěpánová’s story also reflects the EU’s ongoing commitment to gender equality in tech and innovation. Through EIT’s network, she found not only mentorship but a community of female founders facing similar challenges. “Sometimes, as a founder, you have tough days. It’s crucial to have others who understand what you’re going through — people who can remind you why you started”.
Her leadership embodies the values of resilience and impact. Despite losing a co-founder to illness and facing scepticism from parts of the law enforcement community, she and her team persevered. “The biggest achievement is that we didn’t give up, we sticked together as a team and grew stronger together” – she reflects.
Today, Lightly’s focus extends beyond counterfeit drugs. The technology is attracting interest from border control agencies, airports, and even the European Space Agency, where it could help monitor stress levels in astronauts — a striking example of how solutions developed for one sector can be applied across others, reflecting the interdisciplinary spirit of the AI Continent Action Plan.
When asked what advice she’d offer future EIT Jumpstarter Next participants, Štěpánová cites one of her favourite lessons: “The only constant in life is change. As entrepreneurs, we must embrace it. Plans will fail, expectations will shift — but if you stay flexible and mission-driven, you’ll find a way through.”
Website: lightly.bio
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