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Impact Week 2024
The NN Social Innovation Startup Award is an initiative to discover, recognize and support early-stage start-ups that are transforming the well-being of others. Selected start-ups will be invited to join us in Bilbao on November 28th as part of the Impact Week 2024.
Calling all early-stage start-ups in the following sectors:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Equal Opportunities
This category includes start-ups focused on providing access to education, employment, and essential services for underserved communities.
For example:
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EdTech: Innovations that improve access to education and skills training
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WorkTech: Solutions that promote employment, fair working conditions, and workplace diversity
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Accessibility Tech: Tools and platforms enhancing access for individuals with disabilities
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Diversity & Inclusion: Start-ups promoting inclusivity in the workplace or society
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Financial Inclusion: Services that provide access to financial tools for underserved populations
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Legal & Housing Access: Platforms that ensure equal access to justice and housing
WELL-BEING
Well-Being
This category includes solutions focused on improving physical, mental, and financial well-being, including:
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Physical well-being: Solutions for preventive healthcare, health literacy, and access to quality care
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Mental well-being: Solutions that address mental health challenges, mental resilience, social connectedness, and emotional well-being
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Financial well-being: Solutions that enhance financial literacy and allow financial relief and stability
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Longevity & Lifestyle: Solutions that support healthier lifestyles and sustainable, longer living
APPLY BY OCTOBER 15TH>> APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15 OCTOBER 2024 >> APPLY BY OCTOBER 15TH 2024
Transforming
well-being together
At NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures, we envision a future where sustainability thrives through a healthy, empowered society. To bring this vision to life, we're backing social enterprises that transform the well-being of others. As part of Impact Week 2024 in Bilbao, we're hosting a start-up pitch event to discover, spotlight and support trailblazing ventures in edtech, worktech, and solutions focused on financial, mental, and physical well-being.
This isn’t just a start-up event—it’s a movement to empower people through innovation. The winning start-up will secure a €100k grant, with two runners-up receiving €50k each to accelerate their impact. But our mission goes beyond the finalists; we’re shining a light on the urgent need for investment in people-centric tech solutions, ensuring they have the resources to shape a stronger, more sustainable future.
Join us in investing in the future of human potential. The NN Social Innovation Startup Award will be a marquee event at Impact Week Europe 2024, happening in Bilbao from November 27 to 29. On November 28, experience the energy of dynamic pitches, inspiring keynotes, and a celebration of innovation and impact.
What is in it for you?
Funding
Secure a €100k grant for the winner, with two €50k grants awarded to the runners-up to fuel their ventures.
Media exposure
Amplify your brand through Rubio and partner channels for widespread visibility. You get the chance to share your start-up story during Impact Week 2024
Personalized growth program
Benefit from 1-year of personalized mentoring, along with a custom-built program focused on scaling your business and developing leadership skills.
Exclusive venture support tool
Unlock access to Rubio’s proprietary platform, packed with expert tips, essential tools, key contacts, and exclusive partner offers to help your venture thrive.
Selection criteria
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Mission-driven: You’re dedicated to advancing equal education, creating equal employment opportunities, fostering sustainable livelihoods, or enhancing longevity, financial, physical, or mental well-being.
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Impact-first: Your venture demonstrates clear, positive, and systemic impact that drives real change.
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Tech-enabled innovation: You offer a tech-enabled solution with a live product or proven initial validation.
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Scalable success: Your business model aligns potential revenues with impact and value, ensuring commercial scalability.
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Regional presence: Your venture operates in at least one of the following markets: Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Spain, Turkey or Japan.
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Inclusivity champions: We’re particularly excited about solutions that promote inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity in society.
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NN Social Innovation Start-up Award is brought to you by:
Application process & timeline
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Interviews
Shortlisted start-ups will be notified by October 5th and invited for virtual interviews.
Timing interviews:
Oct 7st - Oct 20th.
3
Due diligence
After the interviews, 5 Semi-Finalists will be chosen for a light Due Diligence.
Timing DD:
Oct 20th - Nov 5th.
4
Finals in Bilbao
Three finalists will be selected and invited to pitch in Bilbao in front of a world-class jury.
Transport and lodging will be arranged and paid for.
Pitch Finals: Nov 28th in Bilbao
5
Personalized growth program
The winner and runner-ups will benefit from a 1-year custom-built venture growth and mentoring program focused on scaling your business and developing leadership skills.
Business model:
A 360° mental well-being platform, offering evidence-based resources and professional guidance to organisations and individuals.
Impact:
OpenUp enables employers to give their employees direct, fast and easy access to certified psychologists and online tools to improve mental well-being through a fully digital web/app platform.
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Business model:
Female Invest is an ed-tech platform empowering women through subscription-based learning and community.
Impact:
Female investors are on a mission to close the financial gender gap by educating women on how to manage their money and begin investing, which improves their financial well-being.
Do I have to give out equity for the €100k of funding?
No, the capital is a grant and not an investment. It will be up to you on how to spend it. For other terms & conditions, we will post these online shortly.
Can I still apply if I am not available on the in-person dates?
The final five founder teams will be invited to pitch in-person at our event on November 28. Therefore we ask you to already block this in your calendar. In case you are not available please make note of this in your application.
I want to make positive impact with my start-up, but it is hard to measure in this stage. Can I still apply?
Yes! In an early stage it can be difficult to measure your impact. Try to formulate your Theory of Change to communicate what the impact is you are striving for and how your product/service ties into this. When you continue in the process, we will help you to refine this.
Can I apply if I have raised (multiple) convertible loans from other investors?
Yes! You are welcome to apply. This is a grant investment. Loans that are not converted into equity can be secured from institutional investors and you would still fit the eligibility criteria.
What can I expect from Rubio?
You will have a designated member of Rubio’s investment team as a mentor for 1 year; access to our proprietary venture support tool including offers for all our portfolio companies and access to the Rubio network. We do not guarantee any further investment, but if we both want to continue our partnership we can continue investing in your seed and series A rounds. Our fund is able to invest up until €10mn in one company.
What can I expect from NN?
Finalists will be given access to the volunteer programme from NN Group, where employees will support start-ups with their time and expertise.
All will be given access to the NN mentorship program, where a dedicated mentor will create a tailor-made support programme to meet the start-ups' scaling objectives.