April 14, 2025
NN Social Innovation Startup Award returns after successful first edition
Final pitch on June 19 at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam
Amsterdam, 14 April 2025 – After its debut last year, the NN Social Innovation Startup Award is back. On June 19, a new group of early-stage startups will take the stage at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam to pitch innovative tech-driven solutions for improving well-being in Europe. The award—initiated by international financial services company NN Group and Europe’s pioneering impact venture fund Rubio Impact Ventures—offers €100,000 to the winning startup out of the total of €200,000 grant available for this award. In addition to access to a year-long venture development programme that combines mentoring, investor readiness support and a powerful mission-aligned network.
Well-being is under pressure
Physical, mental and financial well-being are under increasing strain. Rising health disparities, growing mental health challenges and unequal access to financial security are affecting millions of people—especially those already in vulnerable positions. While innovation has transformed many sectors, too few tech solutions are designed for those who need support the most. This award is designed to change that: by backing startups that use technology to expand access to care, build resilience and support healthier, more financially secure lives.
Lonneke Roza, Head of Community Investment: At NN Group, we believe that well-being—whether mental, physical or financial—should be within reach for everyone. The reality is that these services are not equally accessible or affordable. This award contributes to closing the well-being gap in our communities by celebrating a new generation of entrepreneurs who are building inclusive, scalable solutions for people who are often overlooked by traditional systems.”
“What we’re building is more than a pitch event”
Rather than a one-off stage moment, the NN Social Innovation Startup Award is designed to spark a long-term community of founders, investors and partners who focus on supporting well-being. Ilonka Jankovich, Venture Partner at Rubio Impact Ventures: “Some of the most impactful startups are built by people with deep personal understanding of the problems they’re solving. But turning that insight into a successful, scalable business—especially in sectors like mental health, healthcare access or financial resilience—is incredibly hard without the right kind of support. This award was created to fill that gap. Not just with funding, but with true partnership. What we’re buildfing is more than a pitch event. It’s a community of innovators and allies committed to changing the system—so that tech-driven solutions for well-being become the norm, not the exception.”
Last year’s award
In 2024, the award drew hundreds of applications with innovative solutions to improve well-being. The Linghos, a Polish startup focused on revolutionising pediatric speech therapy for children with an AI-driven platform was the winner of this first editions, and Whispp and Bugeto were the runner-ups. All three finalists will have access to a year-long venture development and mentorship programme from both NN and Rubio to scale up their business. This provides access to a broad network of experts, mentors and an investor-readiness programme.
“The award gave us more than recognition—it gave us the confidence and backing to grow faster, and with more focus. We teamed-up with people who understood both our mission and our business potential, and that combination is rare. The impact is not just in numbers—it’s in the stories of kids gaining confidence, and parents finally feeling supported,” says co-founder Mariusz Pitura of The Linghos.
Applications now open
Are you building a tech solution that improves mental, physical or financial well-being for whom this is under pressure or at risk. For more information on application criteria and to submit your application, please visit https://socialinnovationaward.com. The application deadline is April 30th.
About NN Group
NN Group is an international financial services company, active in 10 countries, with a strong presence in a number of European countries and Japan. With all its employees, the Group provides retirement services, pensions, insurance, banking and investments to approximately 19 million customers. NN Group includes Nationale-Nederlanden, NN, ABN AMRO Insurance, Movir, AZL, BeFrank, OHRA and Woonnu. NN Group is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (NN).
About Rubio Impact Ventures
Rubio Impact Ventures is a leading impact venture fund based in the Netherlands with € 150 million AUM. Rubio invests in world-changing entrepreneurs who unite powerful positive impact with a scalable commercial business; the future-proof approach to successful business. Rubio offers its investments a winning blend of capital, expertise and network access to help them accelerate to the next level. Want to find out more? Check out: https://www.rubio.vc.
For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Sophie Wandzilak | Press Officer NN Group | +31 (0)6 4762 1930 | Sophie.wandzilak@nn-group.com Sheila Klein Schiphorst | PR NN Social Innovation Startup Award powered by Rubio | +31 653390022 | sheila@sheishere.nl
