| Success stories
From nut caps to dog tags, BuddyChip helps return stray dogs and heads to business incubator
BuddyChip is a smart tag with NFC technology that simply and immediately shows the finder the contact information of the pet's owner, its health restrictions, allergies, or perhaps a note that it is afraid of children or barks but does not bite - without the need for an app, without registration, without batteries. Just place your phone next to it and help the animal find its way back home.
Project from the 3D shed: where technology makes sense
3D shed is a workshop of Ústí nad Labem enthusiasts, where 3D printing is combined with ideas that have a practical impact. It all started with protective caps for wheel nuts for trucks – the product, offered in several variants, gained the favor of truck drivers precisely because of the possibility of customizing the cap, which reflects the driver's personality or even the entire company culture of the carrier (printing the logo, company name, etc.). But it didn't end there, other ideas gradually began to emerge – for example, relaxing 3D coloring books from the Kukang Sumatra edition, the sale of which at the Ústí nad Labem Zoo supports the conservation activities of the program of the same name.
It was thanks to this experimentation and the search for meaningful use of technology that the BuddyChip – a dog tag that makes it easier to return home if your pet gets lost. This is the brand's most visible project today and an example of how technology can be used in a truly meaningful way.
In addition, 3D kÚLna also specializes in custom 3D production, preparing a collection of flexible "Kjútík" pendants, and creating replicas of film and historical helmets. The brand's portfolio is broad, but always connected by a common denominator: the practical use of technology with a human touch.
Simplicity that saves time and emotions
BuddyChip does not require an application, power supply or registration. Inside the tag is a passive NFC chip that displays important information about the animal when a smartphone is placed next to it. The user determines the content themselves when ordering. The chip is protected against overwriting and requires no maintenance. The data is automatically displayed on phones with active NFC. In cases where the phone does not support NFC, there is a number stamped on the tag that can be easily copied. The entire solution is designed with an emphasis on speed, clarity and usability even for the accidental finder.
Help those who help
BuddyChip is based on connecting with the community. It cooperates with shelters and international rescue programs, to which the customer can contribute when purchasing - just mention it in the notes in the order. In the future, 3D kÚLna wants to offer the possibility to choose a specific shelter or project that the customer will support directly. “We want every purchase to have a real impact – not just for the animal wearing the BuddyChip, but also for others in need,” explains one of the project founders, Roman Čmelík.
The charitable aspect of the project was also supported by the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region. It contributed to the purchase of 50 chips, which will go to selected organizations in the region that help dogs (shelters, pet therapy, an association to help abused dogs, etc.).
A business incubator will also help the project in the fall of 2025 Startup Go, from which BuddyChip expects new opportunities and assistance with further development. The three-month program will offer a series of practical workshops and consultations that will help the project to further structure, streamline and prepare for further growth. The use of technologies and the products themselves are already working - now it's time to take the brand and business to the next level.
