PERKY was honored as a finalist in the AMA Rochester Pinnacle Awards for its launch of PERKY Leave, the first free, public tool that simplifies parental leave eligibility for U.S. families. Recognized in the Product Launch category, PERKY Leave stood out for its innovative design, clear user value, and mission-driven impact.
Parental leave in the U.S. is notoriously confusing. With a patchwork of federal, state, and employer-specific policies, most families, especially first-time parents, struggle to understand what time off or income replacement they qualify for. PERKY Leave was designed to solve this issue.
Launched as a mobile-first tool, it walks users through a short series of questions and delivers a personalized summary of their leave options. The experience is simple, clear, and emotionally supportive, turning what is often a stressful process into one that is empowering and actionable.
Rather than opting for a broad, high-profile debut, PERKY executed a focused, research-driven rollout designed to build trust and validate product-market fit. The strategy prioritized real-time feedback, targeted visibility, and a strong connection to the product’s core audience. Internal teams collaborated across content, product, and compliance to ensure the experience was accurate and emotionally resonant.
The creative approach centered on simplicity and empathy, making the experience feel personal, warm, and grounded in real-life needs.
PERKY Leave also delivers ongoing value through curated content that helps new parents navigate key financial and well-being decisions with confidence.
The Pinnacle Awards event was hosted by AMA Rochester in Rochester, NY. PERKY representatives proudly attended the ceremony, celebrating alongside other local innovators. The recognition affirms PERKY’s commitment to building tech that empowers families and reshapes how benefits are delivered with strategy, heart, and measurable impact.
