Meet Jan Jancar, CEO of Elinio AG [Elwisapp]

Please tell us about Elwisapp [Product of Elinio AG]

Our platform empowers businesses to build powerful, customizable web applications with minimal coding knowledge—from startups to enterprises.

With Elwis, you get fast development – deliver solutions in record time, full functionality – everything you need; built-in, intuitive design – visually appealing and user-friendly, cost efficiency – high-quality solutions at the lowest total cost.

Please give some more details of your startup story.

The story of Elwis started in 2020, literally, in my small office, where I began developing it on my own. Now we are a team of 20 developers, mostly senior, located in Europe. We are passionate developers and designers specializing in low-code web application development based on Angular, NodeJS, and MongoDB.. We are a group of passionate developers and designers specializing in low-code web application development based on Angular, NodeJS, and MongoDB. Our platform, Elwis App, empowers businesses to build powerful, customizable web applications with minimal coding knowledge. With years of experience in the industry, our mission is to simplify the app development process, making it accessible to everyone from small businesses to large enterprises. We also have several hundreds of customers directly from Germany for example Zeiss, Bremse, Webasto, ThyssenKrupp, etc.

Tell us more about your plans for 2024 and what is your long-term vision.

In 2025, Elwis App aims to expand globally, enhancing our low-code platform with AI-driven automation, improved integrations, and enterprise-grade security. Our long-term vision is to revolutionize web development, making custom app creation faster, smarter, and more accessible for businesses of all sizes.

What has been the biggest success that you have achieved in your startup?

One of the biggest successes with Elwis App has been securing enterprise clients proving that our low-code platform meets the demands of large-scale businesses. Additionally, growing from a one-person project in 2020 to a team of 20+ senior developers has been a major milestone.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

I would focus on building the right team earlier and refining our go-to-market strategy from the start.

What motivates you to continue your business every day?

Seeing real impact—when a client successfully launches a product or transforms their workflow using Elwis—is what fuels my passion to keep going.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?

Talk to potential customers early, test your idea with a simple prototype, and iterate based on feedback. Build a strong team, stay agile, and don’t be afraid to pivot. Success comes from solving real problems.

What does it mean to you to be a member of the Swiss Startup Association? 

Personally, it connects me to a community of innovative thinkers who share the same passion.Professionally, it provides invaluable opportunities to network, gain insights, and expand our reach. It’s a great platform for building connections, raising awareness about Elwis, and learning from the success stories of other startups.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? Why?

Absolutely! I highly recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association. It’s a fantastic resource for networking, learning, and growing your business. The community is full of like-minded entrepreneurs who are willing to share experiences, challenges, and solutions.

Have you ever visited the events of the Swiss Startup Association? If yes, which ones? Would you recommend them?

Yes, I’ve attended the Founders Dinner on March 19 in Winterthur, the Founders Dinner in Lucerne on May 29 and August 28, as well as The Zurich Founder and Investor Meet-up on June 26!

Connect with Jan on LinkedIn

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About the Swiss Startup Association

The Swiss Startup Association (SSA) is the umbrella organisation and the voice of Swiss startups. As a sector-independent non-profit organisation, the SSA gives startups a strong voice vis-à-vis politics, business and the public and works to improve the conditions for startups in Switzerland.
Beyond its political engagement, the SSA fosters a community for startups, recognizing the unique challenges they face. Through networking opportunities, educational sessions, and practical services, the SSA collaborates with industry partners to offer tailored support and valuable resources to guide founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

Join the Swiss Startup Association! Tap into our member benefits, the comprehensive Investor List and get full access to our events. By becoming an SSA Member you enjoy discounted tickets to our Big Founders Dinners and the SSA Founders Day.