Gold Stars vs. Gold Statues

Winning awards has never been about the applause alone (although that is quite nice).

Anybody can enjoy praise, but meaningful recognition is something entirely different. It is the difference between being told you are doing well and being shown, through evidence and impact, that your work really matters.

In that sense, professional recognition has always been to me like the kind of feedback in life that matters most: considered, deserved and arising from true development.

As a child, the praise that really stuck with me was not the automatic “well done” at the end of a task. It was the times when my dad saw how much effort I put into something (even when it didn’t turn out as expected) or when my mum’s feedback was given with constructive criticism, but also context and love.

That difference has influenced how I perceive success ever since. In my working life, I have sought recognition not as a form of approval, but as a confirmation that what I am creating can withstand criticism even beyond my own belief in it.

That is why being named 3rd in the Startups 100 Index for 2026 continues to be one of the most important moments in my professional life. It was more than just an award. It was a recognition by an ecosystem that knows very well how challenging it is to transform ideas into sustainable, scalable businesses.

The ranking was a result of traction, innovation, and execution, not just potential. Like the best parental feedback, it acknowledged the effort that went into the work.

Creating startups brings lengthy periods of uncertainty, multiple iterations, and a readiness to publicly learn from failure. In such a context, recognition is not a compliment; it is proof of progression.

What really matters to me is that these recognitions reflect the values that I’ve had since childhood, those instilled by my parents. I have always maintained that success ought to be responsible, people-centred, and sustainable. Awards that focus on ethical development, innovation that serves a purpose, or leadership in the midst of challenges, attract me much more than those that are just about publicity.

Indeed, professional praise, like good parental advice, serves as an encouragement to keep improving rather than to just rest on one’s laurels. This is what I think about when I praise my daughter.