Corporate life is rarely a flawless “Clean Girl aesthetic” — it’s more like a high-speed roller coaster, full of wins that make us proud and challenges that make us stronger. In 2025, we grew, we invested, we experimented, and we built. Some things soared, others taught us valuable lessons. But as social media tradition goes, we’re here to wrap up our year with gratitude to everyone who shaped it. Social Discovery Group Launches SDG Lab — $20M Venture Fund to Invest in Social Discovery Startups Social Discovery Group Launches SDG Lab — $20M Venture Fund to Invest in Social Discovery Startups At the start of 2025, we introduced SDG Lab Venture Studio, our corporate venture studio dedicated to transforming virtual intimacy into a global norm. Led by Alex Kudos, SDG Lab becomes a hands-on partner for founders building next-generation social discovery solutions. SDG Lab Venture Studio SDG Lab Venture Studio Alex Kudos Alex Kudos With a $20M annual investment fund, SDG Lab empowers early-stage startups working in:✤ AI-driven communication technologies✤ VR/AR social experiences✤ Digital intimacy and connection platforms What sets SDG Lab apart is its all-inclusive support model. Startups gain access to:✤ Expert legal assistance✤ Full back-office infrastructure✤ Cutting-edge tech support✤ Global marketing and product insights **In 2025 SDG Lab:\ ✓ Reviewed 800+ products,✓ Met with 560+ founding teams,✓Conducted 20+ internal investment committees,✓Signed 6 Venture Studio deals In 2025 SDG Lab: Signed 6 Venture Studio deals In 2026, we’re opening more seats for founders who want to build with us: You ⇨ bring ambition, vision, and founder fire
We ⇨ bring capital, infra, expert operators, and distribution from day one You ⇨ bring ambition, vision, and founder fire We ⇨ bring capital, infra, expert operators, and distribution from day one If you’re ready to turn a crazy idea into a category-defining product -let’s talk! Details: ✨ socialdiscoverygroup.com/sdg-lab-venture-studio or contact: lab@sdgroup.ai Details socialdiscoverygroup.com/sdg-lab-venture-studio socialdiscoverygroup.com/sdg-lab-venture-studio lab@sdgroup.ai lab@sdgroup.ai Kiseki Certified™ by Great Place To Work® Japan In 2025, one of our investment products Kiseki, Japan’s #1 global romance-matching service, proudly earned __Great Place To Work® Certification__™ — a milestone powered directly by employee feedback. Great Place To Work® Certification **Key insights from the GPTW Japan survey: \ ➣ 80% of employees believe SDG is a great place to work➣ 87% feel highly engaged and empowered➣ 100% agree that everyone is treated fairly, regardless of background or identity This recognition highlights our dedication to creating a culture rooted in trust, fairness, and appreciation. Thank you 💖to the entire SDG Japan community for shaping an environment where people thrive! SDG Ranks in Top 5 for Best Remote Jobs by FlexJobs SDG Ranks in Top 5 for Best Remote Jobs by FlexJobs In a world where many companies are pulling people back into offices, we’re doubling down on what works: remote-first, people-first. In a FlexJobs survey featured by CNBC, SDG made the Top 5 global companies for Work-From-Anywhere jobs — a standout accomplishment in a field where just 5% of remote jobs are fully location-independent. featured by CNBC featured by CNBC Our remote-first culture thrives because we offer: ➢ 100% remote work. No mandatory office, ever➢ Global teams across Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Thailand, the U.S., Australia, and beyond➢ Autonomy and trust, not time tracking➢ Annual meetups, summits, and team events➢ Workspace comfort perks for optimal productivity We continue to prove that global flexibility and business performance can coexist and flourish. Visit SDG Career Page to discover new opportunities! Career Page Career Page First-Ever TopGangStars Awards Ceremony in Doha 2025 marked the first ceremonial celebration of our annual TopGangStars, honoring team members who delivered extraordinary results. 🔥 Here’s what the program achieved:➣ 543 performance cases submitted➣ 132 quarterly winners➣ 36 global annual winners 22 Offline Meetups Across the Globe Even though SDG is proudly remote-first, offline connection remains priceless. In 2025, we hosted 22 meetups across:➢ Belgrade➢ Cyprus➢ Doha➢ The Emirates➢ Georgia➢ Turkey Teams collaborated, strategized, explored museums, attended master classes, and ventured through deserts and mountains. These in-person experiences strengthened bonds that digital tools alone can’t replicate. SDG as Silver Partner at Reflect Festival 2025 In May, __SDG took a stage__in Cyprus as a Silver Partner at Reflect Festival, featuring:➢ 5 stages➢ 250+ speakers➢ 10,000+ attendees SDG took a stage **Key contributions included:\Alex Kudos, CEO of SDG Lab with his speech: “AI and Virtual Intimacy: Trends Reshaping Online Connections” \ A deep dive into how AI can combat loneliness and reshape digital relationships. SDG Lab **Workshop by Valentina Zakirova, Forbes 30 Under 30 \ “Bootstrapping vs. Venture Studios: What Works in 2025?” Valentina unpacked the realities of startup growth, capital models, and founder strategies. Watch the festival highlight reel 💻 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQuG5uWHjmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQuG5uWHjmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQuG5uWHjmo New SDG Values and Symbols Released Inspired by the words of George Bernard Shaw: “Progress is impossible without change” , we reintroduced our corporate values with renewed clarity and new symbolic mascots, chosen by the team. Meet them all! Meet them all Meet them all New SDG Office Opened in Serbia September brought major news: our SDG Serbia team moved into a brand-new coworking in Belgrade. We celebrated 🎉 the opening with a vibrant gathering full of energy and inspiration. The new workspace reflects our commitment to comfort, productivity, and collaboration: think coffee, cozy corners, and creative space without limitations.✨ SDG at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Our team wrapped up an action-packed experience at TechCrunch Disrupt, immersed in the global startup scene. We exchanged ideas, met founders aligned with SDG Lab’s mission, and deepened our insights into emerging technologies and shifting trends in the digital connection space. SDG Jedi Order Delivered 11 Articles and 4 Conference Talks SDG Jedi Order Delivered 11 Articles and 4 Conference Talks Our SDG Jedi Order, a unique expert-recognition program, continues to motivate colleagues to share their knowledge with the world. expert-recognition program expert-recognition program Their contributions were rewarded with exclusive merch, bonuses, and Jedi-themed prizes, and celebrated across SDG’s internal and external networks! Thanks for Joining the Ride! Thanks for Joining the Ride! 2025 was a year of growth, ambition, experimentation, and global connection. We built, learned, traveled, collaborated, and celebrated — with many more milestones to come! 2025 was a year of growth, ambition, experimentation, and global connection. We built, learned, traveled, collaborated, and celebrated — with many more milestones to come! Stay tuned! Bigger things are on the horizon! 🔥

This story contains new, firsthand information uncovered by the writer.

SDG 2025 Year in Review: A Bold Leap Into the Future of Social Discovery

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