€200k up for grabs for impact startups improving mental health

After a first edition in 2024, the NN Social Innovation Startup Award is back. The award, which is a collaboration between Dutch financial services company NN Group and impact venture fund Rubio Impact Ventures, will see early-stage startups pitching their tech-driven solutions to improve well-being in Europe.

The winning startup will receive €100,000, from a total €200,000 grant. Winners also gain access to a year-long venture development programme, combining mentoring, investor readiness support, and a powerful mission-aligned network.

"Some of the most impactful startups are built by people with deep personal insight into the problems they’re solving," says Ilonka Jankovich, venture partner at Rubio Impact Ventures. "But turning that into a scalable business – especially in sectors like mental health, healthcare access, or financial resilience – is incredibly hard without the right kind of support."

Last year’s winner was The Linghos, a Polish startup revolutionising pediatric speech therapy with an AI-driven platform.

Applications are now open and close 30 April. The final will take place on 19 June at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam.