Tropic01 is a security chip designed for high physical security and resilience against advanced attacks. Thanks to its transparent architecture, it allows independent verification, so users don’t have to blindly trust manufacturers’ claims. The pioneering project by Jan Pleskač and SatoshiLabs—the creators of the Czech cryptocurrency wallet Trezor—won not only first place overall but also the special award Kooperativa: Security Goes Green.
“Security today is one of the most important topics—not only in technology but also in everyday life. The Tropic01 project is unique in that it offers not only top-level physical protection and resistance against advanced attacks but is also fully open and auditable. The chip’s transparent architecture enables independent verification, which is a crucial step toward building trust between users and manufacturers. In my view, this openness is the key to a safer future, where innovation goes hand in hand with trust and responsibility. I am proud that Czech companies can deliver such progressive solutions with the potential to influence the whole world,” commented Jindřich Skrip, Marketing and Communications Director at Kooperativa Insurance.
Second place and the Ekonom weekly award went to Monika Štěpánová, Lukáš Nejdl, and Vojtěch Adam with their startup Lightly. Their forensic intelligence tool enables investigators to detect counterfeit drugs or trace the origin of narcotics directly in the field and in real time, using UV-Fingerprint technology. This helps uncover distribution networks and halt the spread of counterfeit medicines or deadly substances such as fentanyl, which cause hundreds of thousands of deaths annually and trillions of dollars in economic losses.
“It is incredibly encouraging, as a jury member of Nápad Roku, to see so many young Czech companies bringing to life technologies straight out of science fiction. In addition to expertise, they also have entrepreneurial talent and global ambition. I am glad we can support them on their journey to growth,” said angel investor Kamil Vacek, CEO of TCCM, which represents the Nothing brand of mobile phones and audio products.
Third place went to Jakub Malínek and Lukáš Mičan with their company CircuitNinja, which also won the special Startup of the Year 2025 award for the project with the greatest growth potential. Their autonomous microfactories address the problem of slow and expensive printed circuit board (PCB) production. The fully automated robotic production line operates 24/7, enabling express manufacturing and low-cost delivery, while algorithms monitor the quality of every step without human intervention.
“Nápad Roku has now reached adulthood, and so has the Czech startup ecosystem. It already employs more than 160,000 people—more than the entire financial sector—produces sophisticated products with high added value, pays well above-average salaries, and helps build a strong reputation for the Czech Republic around the world,” summarized Martin Kešner, founder of the oldest startup competition in the Czech Republic.
All submitted projects have the opportunity to secure investments of up to CZK 50 million. Finalists also receive mentoring from internationally successful entrepreneurs and investors, as well as exposure to media, potential partners, customers, and employees. In-kind prizes for the winners, worth hundreds of thousands of crowns, include legal, technological, and business consulting, as well as recruitment advertising.
The main partners are J&T Banka, Kooperativa, and Nothing. Other partners include FTMO, Peterka & Partners, and Microsoft. The main media partners are Hospodářské noviny, Ekonom weekly, and CzechCrunch. Additional supporters include Vienna Business Agency, Škoda Auto, CzechInvest, Czech Founders, our Startup Kitchen, and the multifunctional coworking space GreenTable.
