{"id":665343,"date":"2025-04-25T17:33:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T14:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech\/"},"modified":"2025-04-25T17:33:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T14:33:47","slug":"this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech\/","title":{"rendered":"This VC-backed network is on a mission to tackle the well-being crises with tech"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3b72af2fe77\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3b72af2fe77\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech\/#Bringing_our_world_together_with_tech-driven_social_impact\" >Bringing our world together with tech-driven social impact<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech\/#Ensuring_everyone_is_heard\" >Ensuring everyone is heard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech\/#A_chance_for_VCs_and_corporates_to_scale_impact\" >A chance for VCs and corporates to scale impact<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/this-vc-backed-network-is-on-a-mission-to-tackle-the-well-being-crises-with-tech\/#Putting_the_social_back_in_social_impact\" >Putting the social back in social impact<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div id=\"article-main-content\">\n<p>Last year, NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures launched the NN <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social<\/a> Innovation Startup Award providing grants and mentoring to startups to tackle mental, physical, and financial well-being challenges with tech-backed solutions. Over 360 startups <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lied.<\/p>\n<p>Based on the success of the first edition, NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures will be hosting a second edition of the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.socialinnovationaward.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">NN Social Innovation Startup Award<\/a> at TNW2025 on June 19, 2025 in Amsterdam. The winning startups will receive a grant and year-long coaching opportunities\u2014with tailored resources, networking, and support (Psst the application deadline is April 30th, so <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.socialinnovationaward.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">apply now!<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bringing_our_world_together_with_tech-driven_social_impact\"><\/span><strong>Bringing our world together with tech-driven social impact<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI truly believe that social innovation could be our new strategic asset,\u201d explains Tamara Obradov, partner at Rubio Impact Ventures and one of the program\u2019s architects. \u201cIt\u2019s a critical pillar alongside the green and digital transitions. We first had the digital transition, then the green transition and now, to bring this polarized-world together, we need the social innovators and system shapers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Over the last decade, climate-tech solutions have received attention from VCs thanks to the Green Deal and national efforts to curb climate change by providing incentives and drivers for change. Alongside this, grew the realization that sustainability is not only good for the planet but also good for business, providing cost-saving alternatives. However, social impact solutions have not received the same level of attention from VCs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inarticle-wrapper channel-cta\">\n<div class=\"ica-text\">\n<p class=\"ica-text__title\">40% off TNW Conference! For 1 week only&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Register by 28 April &amp; save up to \u20ac700 on <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General<\/a> Admission, Corporate, VIP &amp; Investor Passes, and Startup\/Scaleup packages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cPeople often associate impact with climate,\u201d says Obradov. \u201cBut rarely do we talk about how we help <em>people<\/em> transition toward the future. That\u2019s where social innovation comes in. We need to invest in climate and food systems\u2014but we also need to help society adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Today, it\u2019s estimated that more than <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/RegData\/etudes\/BRIE\/2023\/751416\/EPRS_BRI(2023)751416_EN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">84 million people<\/a> in the EU are struggling with mental health problems. Many businesses received a wake-up call during the pandemic which fostered the rise in mental health-focused apps but, the number of people suffering from mental health issues is increasing and, not just amongst workers, but youth and the elderly as well.<\/p>\n<p>Lonneke Roza, Head of Community Investment at NN Group, believes: \u201cIf we were to focus on building a world where <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> helps underserved communities gain access to technological solutions that can provide life-changing physical, mental, and financial support, we could not only unlock potential for individuals but society as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1413243 aligncenter js-lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"701\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2025\/04\/StartUpAward164-1.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1413243 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2025\/04\/StartUpAward164-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"701\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ensuring_everyone_is_heard\"><\/span><strong>Ensuring everyone is heard<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Assistive technology company <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/whispp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Whispp<\/a> was one of the three grant winners from the first edition of the NN Social Innovation Startup Award. CEO Joris Casterman\u2019s drive to found the company was rooted in the challenges he faced growing up with a severe stutter. With Whispp, he developed an assistive voice call app that uses AI to convert whispered speech and vocal cord impaired speech.<\/p>\n<p>Participating in the award was a <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>-changer helping Castermans meet more like-minded VCs and benefit from a year of coaching opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI met a lot of impact investors, in addition to Rubio, who I\u2019m still in contact with. What you see is that, along with questions about your revenue and growth model, you also get questions about how you measure your impact.\u201d This made it clear to Castermans that, for these VCs, impact was just as important as profit. In addition to more funding opportunities, the coaching his team received was invaluable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had great sparring sessions on our strategy and even worked with a coach to develop our management team\u2019s collaboration and leadership goals,\u201d Castermans says. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t have done that on our own\u2014it helped us professionalize and prepare for our next phase.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This year, Whispp is set to launch two powerful new features:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A virtual microphone for video conferencing, enabling people with voice impairments to be heard clearly in online meetings;<\/li>\n<li>A live conversation mode designed to work in noisy or crowded environments\u2014facilitating spontaneous, in-person communication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These tools will ensure everyone\u2019s ideas are heard. Everyone can be part of special moments with their loved ones. And everyone\u2019s voice is heard. It\u2019s a powerful example of how technology can create life-changing impact.<\/p>\n<p>Inspired by the community he\u2019s found through the NN Social Innovation Startup Award, Castermans sees even greater potential on the horizon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are several really interesting accessibility companies. We could build an accessibility subgroup or coalition. This could also become a source for the world to find cool and innovative solutions in the assistive technology domain. The risk of being a startup is that you often do your own thing. But there are so many instances in which you should collaborate and team up!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1413242 aligncenter js-lazy\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2025\/04\/StartUpAward118-1.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1413242 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2025\/04\/StartUpAward118-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_chance_for_VCs_and_corporates_to_scale_impact\"><\/span><strong>A chance for VCs and corporates to scale impact<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Last year, a fundraising wall and booklet were created exhibiting the top 100 impact startups that took part. It was made to be easily accessible allowing VCs to sort startups by theme, country, phase, etc.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAny investor that wants to participate is more than welcome to reach out to us,\u201d Obradov says.<\/p>\n<p>And for corporates? While many have the vision and the resources to drive social innovation, what they often lack is access to startups. But together, corporates and VCs can build a powerful initiative.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNN Group\u2019s partnership with Rubio is a great example. Each brings their strength\u2014corporates with their themes and reach, VCs with their innovation pipeline. I would like to invite more corporates to join up with venture capital firms and see how they can support innovation at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Putting_the_social_back_in_social_impact\"><\/span><strong>Putting the social back in social impact<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Our biggest social challenges won\u2019t be solved by one startup, one investor, or one institution. It requires collective effort.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI absolutely believe this could be what brings this fractured world together. And these innovators could be these agents of unity for people and society to transition to a new future,\u201d says Obradov.<\/p>\n<p>Ready to be part of the future of impact innovation?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Startups: Apply to be part of the NN Social Impact Innovation Award by April 30, 2025!<\/li>\n<li>Investors &amp; Corporates: Join the movement and connect with Europe\u2019s leading social innovators<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/category\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/vc-network-mission-tackle-well-being-crisis-tech\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last year, NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures launched the NN Social Innovation Startup Award providing grants and mentoring to startups to tackle mental, physical, and financial well-being challenges with tech-backed solutions. Over 360 startups applied. Based on the success of the first edition, NN Group and Rubio Impact Ventures will be hosting a second&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":665344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw-blurple?filter_last=1&fit=1280%2C640&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn0.tnwcdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fblogs.dir%2F1%2Ffiles%2F2025%2F04%2FStartUpAwardGroup2024-1.jpg&signature=11b76590271e6d7a4e7b47a8dffc4264","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-665343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=665343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665343\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/665344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=665343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=665343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=665343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}