Finalists will be awarded a grant of €50,000, while the winner will get the chance to take part in a year-long venture development programme and receive €100,000.
NN Group, a Netherlands-based financial services company, has teamed up with Dutch impact venture fund Rubio Impact Ventures to launch a prize for early-stage people tech startups in Europe and Japan.
Both firms are inviting startups from 11 countries that focus on developing innovative solutions to global challenges while committing to equal opportunities and wellbeing to apply.
While early-stage people tech startups focused on equal opportunities, mental and physical wellbeing “are key to driving systemic change”, many of them “lack the financial resources and support necessary to reach their full potential”, said Ilonka Jankovich, venture partner at Rubio Impact Ventures.
“The support we’re offering in collaboration with NN Group could truly be a game-changer for several impactful startups, especially given the breadth of this initiative across various countries in Europe”, said Jankovich.
Creating a positive impact
“At NN, we are committed to making a positive impact in society,” said Fleur Hudig, head of corporate citizenship at NN Group, who pointed to the firm’s NN Social Innovation Fund as an example of this.
That fund, which was launched in 2022 with €5m in funding, formed part of the firm’s commitment to invest 1% of its pre-tax profit in local communities by 2023.
“Our fund champions early-stage social enterprises that provide solutions for improving people’s financial, physical, and/or mental wellbeing,” Hudig said.
By partnering with Rubio Impact Ventures, “we’re not only providing financial support but also combining our resources to ensure these start-ups receive the guidance and support they need to maximise their potential and create lasting societal impact”, Hudig said.
The winners of the NN Social Innovation Startup Award will be announced on 28 November during Impact Week in Bilbao, Spain.
