For many years now, the Czech Republic has ranked among the world leaders in applying nanotechnology in industry and consumer goods. Proof of this is the family company nanoSPACE, which manufactures products made from nanofibre membranes suitable for allergy and asthma sufferers. It has been on the market since 2012 and became the first manufacturer in the world to produce anti-mite covers, duvets and pillows with a nanofibre membrane that prevents mites from penetrating the product filling, while also wicking away sweat and being breathable and comfortable. In 2016, nanoSPACE also introduced anti-mite bedding and duvets made from nanocotton, thereby combining the functionality of the material with high-quality cotton satin. They also have their own sustainable fashion collection, and besides products with a nanomembrane or nanoparticles they sell dietary supplements with uniquely soluble active ingredients as well as eco-friendly laundry eggs.

Behind the Domažlice-based nanoSPACE stand the company’s founder Jiří Kůs together with his daughter and operations director Lucie Konečná. NanoSPACE is a founding member of the Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association and part of the educational project „Czech Republic is nano“. It actively takes part in projects promoting nanotechnology to the public and devotes a large share of its funds to educating the public about Czech nanofibre products.

Few companies were hit as hard by the pandemic as nanoSPACE. During the crisis, they drew on their many years of experience and began mass-producing nanofibre face masks and antiviral scarves. From a few dozen orders a day they grew to ten a minute, and so at the last moment they avoided selling off part of the company to investors. In 2020, nanoSPACE grew by an incredible 4,000%. This allowed them to focus even more on ecology and sustainability, which permeates the business as well as the lives of Jiří and Lucie at every level. At nanoSPACE, they develop products that not only help improve people’s quality of life but are also gentle on nature. This is evident in their packaging materials, which are as sustainable as possible.

As a purely technological company, they have all processes digitised and automated to the maximum, with elements of artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms. Their e-shop is connected to an external warehouse and accounting. They are currently working on listing their products on Amazon, where they have launched their own nanoSPACE Store. They are focusing on expanding into Slovakia and Germany, and within five years they plan to sell across the entire European Union.

Jiří and Lucie always dreamed of their own development, which is now overseen by the subsidiary nanoSPACE Technology. In their own words, their biggest driving force is the creative process, not millions in the bank. And the care with which they approach their business reflects this. In the future, they want to focus even more on the environmental aspect of their business and to work, for example, on a biodegradable nanomembrane. The long-term vision of nanoSPACE is to become a global player in the market for nanotechnology products while maintaining local and ecological production.

Source: EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 press release – Best Business Story