We Made the Top 50: Kudosky Named Among Europe’s Best Social Impact Startups of 2026

We have some incredible news to share. Out of 380 startups from 38 countries, Kudosky has been selected as one of the top 50 social impact startups of 2026 by Rubio Ventures — placing us among the shortlisted ventures competing for the prestigious NN Social Innovation Startup Award.

What Is the NN Social Innovation Startup Award?

The NN Social Innovation Startup Award is one of Europe’s most competitive startup recognition programmes, organised by Rubio Ventures. This year, founders were invited to submit solutions tackling mental, physical, and financial wellbeing — missions that touch every life. After weeks of rigorous review, just 50 startups were shortlisted from 380 applicants across 38 countries. From this shortlist, 6 finalists will take the stage at Hello Tomorrow in Amsterdam in June 2026, where a panel of judges will award €200,000 in grants to the most impactful ventures.

Why This Matters to Us

Making this shortlist means more than recognition. It validates what we have believed from day one: employee engagement is not a “nice to have” — it is a social impact issue. When people feel unseen, unheard, or undervalued at work, it affects their mental health, their families, and their communities. Kudosky was built to change that.

“Most companies measure employee happiness once a year — by then, it’s too late. Kudosky exists to make every employee feel heard every day.”

What Makes Kudosky a Social Impact Company?

We are honoured to stand alongside innovators in healthcare, accessibility, financial inclusion, and education. But the future of work is also a social issue. Burnout, disengagement, and silent turnover are among the most underreported crises of our time — disproportionately affecting frontline workers and those without a voice in traditional organisations. Kudosky addresses this by making recognition and micro-feedback:

• Continuous — not once a year, but every day
• Peer-driven — recognition flows in all directions, not just top-down
• AI-powered — our KAIA engine surfaces engagement patterns before they become problems
• Actionable — integrated natively into Slack and Microsoft Teams, where work already happens

What Comes Next

From the top 50, a panel of judges will select 6 finalists who will pitch live at Hello Tomorrow in Amsterdam this June, competing for €200,000 in grants. We are proud to represent Slovakia on this stage — and to carry the stories of every HR team, manager, and employee who has told us “this is exactly what we needed.” Whether or not we win the grant, being counted among the 50 most impactful startups in Europe is a milestone we celebrate with our entire community.

Join Us on This Journey

If you believe every employee deserves to feel heard — not once a year, but every single day — we would love to have you alongside us. Try Kudosky free or book a demo to see what real-time recognition looks like in practice.

Start for free or book a demo — and be part of the movement making workplaces better for everyone.