Dutch financial services company NN Group and Amsterdam-based venture capital firm Rubio Impact Ventures, have announced the winners of the first edition of the NN Social Innovation Startup Award, held during Impact Week in Bilbao.
Three startups addressing equal opportunities and mental and physical well-being, including The Linghos (Poland), Whispp (Netherlands), and Bugeto (Poland), were chosen as winners from 362 applications across 17 countries.
Fleur Hudig, Head of Sustainability & Social Impact at NN Group, says, “We are thrilled to announce The Linghos as the winner of this year’s NN Social Innovation Startup Award. The NN Social Innovation Startup Award has been an incredible journey, and we are honoured 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 startups 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.”
The Linghos received €100,000 as the winner, while the runners-up each secured €50,000. All winners will participate in a year-long venture development programme that offers tailored mentorship, expert support, and investor-readiness training to help them grow.
Meet the winner!
Founded in 2022, The Linghos uses AI to transform pediatric speech therapy with a platform that diagnoses speech impediments and provides personalised, game-based therapy for children aged 3 to 10.
Its voice-controlled exercises make therapy more engaging and accessible, helping children improve through active participation.
Brief about the runners-up
Founded in 2020 in Leiden, Netherlands, Whispp uses AI to help individuals with voice disabilities communicate clearly. Its app supports phone and video calls, offering voice conversion for conditions like spasmodic dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis, and total laryngectomy.
Based in Rzeszów, Poland, Bugeto aims to make financial education more engaging and practical for students in schools and colleges. By moving beyond theory, the team develops tools to teach personal finance management through hands-on learning experiences.
Diverse applicants
The NN Social Innovation Startup Award drew 362 applications from 17 countries across Europe and Japan, showcasing diversity and a focus on impact.
Over half (58 per cent) of the teams included a female founder, with the highest representation in Spain and the Czech Republic.
Key themes included equal opportunities (52 per cent) and well-being (43 per cent), with solutions addressing areas like financial inclusion and mental health.
Startups averaged 2.9 years old, had 6.5 team members, and raised an average of €624K in funding.
Ilonka Jankovich, Venture Partner at Rubio Impact Ventures, says, “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.”
Jankovich adds, “We look forward to supporting them as true partners and mentors, helping them scale their impact and work toward solving humanity’s biggest challenges.”
About NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures
NN Group is an international financial services company operating in 11 countries, with “strong” presence in Europe and Japan. It serves about 19 million customers with services including retirement, pensions, insurance, banking, and investments. The group includes brands like Nationale-Nederlanden, NN, ABN AMRO Insurance, and others. NN Group is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (NN).
Rubio Impact Ventures is an impact venture fund with €150M in assets under management. It invests in entrepreneurs who combine positive social impact with scalable businesses. Rubio supports its investments with capital, expertise, and network access to help them grow and succeed.
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