November 28, 2024

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗡 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱! 

International financial services company NN Group and Rubio, have announced the winners of the first-ever NN Social Innovation Startup Award, held during Impact Week in Bilbao. Out of 362 applications from across 17 countries, three exceptional startups tackling challenges in equal opportunities and mental and physical well-being have been selected as winners:

• The Linghos from Poland
• Whispp from The Netherlands 
• Bugeto from Poland 

The winners have been awarded grants (€100,000 for the winner and €50,000 each for the runners-up) alongside access to a tailored, year-long venture development and mentorship program. This program includes a broad network of experts, one-on-one mentoring, and an investor-readiness program to support their growth and success.

Winner: The Linghos from Poland

The Linghos from Poland is revolutionizing pediatric speech therapy with their AI-driven platform for children aged 3 to 10. Their personalized, game-based therapy not only diagnoses speech impediments but also engages children with voice-controlled exercises that make learning fun and effective. By making therapy more accessible and interactive, The Linghos is empowering young learners to overcome challenges and build confidence in their communication skills.

Runners-up: Whispp and Bugeto

Whispp from The Netherlands uses AI to convert whispered or impaired speech into a natural voice, enabling confident communication. Bugeto from Poland empowers young people with a financial literacy simulation to practice real-world decisions and achieve lifelong stability.

“We are thrilled to announce The Linghos as the winner of this year’s NN Social Innovation Startup Award,’ said Fleur Hudig, Head of Sustainability & Social Impact at NN Group. “The NN Social Innovation Startup Award has been an incredible journey and we are honored to have received so many outstanding applications from around the world. We were impressed by the passion, dedication, and innovative solutions presented by all the finalists. While only three start-ups were named winners, we want to acknowledge and thank each and every participant for their hard work and commitment to improve the financial, physical and/or mental well-being of those at risk.”

Exceptional quality 

Ilonka Jankovich, Venture Partner at Rubio Impact Ventures, reflected on the exceptional quality of the applicants and the vision behind the award: “In these geopolitically turbulent times, highlighting the impactful initiatives in social innovation is more crucial than ever. The number and quality of applications we received for the NN Social Innovation Startup Award exceeded all expectations, showcasing the incredible potential of startups tackling equal opportunities and mental and physical well-being with innovative solutions.

While all the finalists delivered strong pitches and demonstrated how their businesses unite powerful impact with scalable commercial models, the winners stand out as perfect examples of entrepreneurs driving both impact and growth. We look forward to supporting them as true partners and mentors, helping them scale their impact and work toward solving humanity’s biggest challenges.

Stats highlight the award’s diversity and impact focus

• Applicants on average had 6.5 team members, raised €624k in funding, and had startups averaging 2.9 years old.This is just the beginning. Together, we’re building a future where innovation drives meaningful change! 🚀

• 362 startups applied, representing 17 countries across Europe and Japan.

• 58% of teams included a female founder, with the highest percentages in Spain and the Czech Republic.

• Themes included equal opportunities (52%) and well-being (43%), with solutions ranging from financial inclusion to mental health support.