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Phil-Upton

Innovation Awards 2026

Recognise, celebrate and reward innovation.

Emerging Technologies

Open to companies, organisations & individuals.
Vector 8

Innovation Awards 2026

Recognise, celebrate and reward innovation.

Emerging Technologies

Open to companies, organisations & individuals.

Countdown to
2026 Awards
13th November 2026

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The Innovation Awards 2026

The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the businesses, organisations and individuals who are dedicated to innovation.

These Awards are open to innovative:

  • Individuals
  • Organisations- such as universities, local councils, catapults etc. 
  • Businesses based in the UK. 

The Awards have 4 main categories:

  1. The Innovators – in the manufacturing, engineering, sustainability, tech, life-sciences, defence, construction, education and creative industry sectors.  
  2. Individual Innovators – Female, Male and Young Innovator.
  3. Innovation Champions – for those who support companies with innovation.
  4. Innovation Thought Leaders -recognising those who create the platforms, finance and space for innovation

Companies, organisations and individuals are nominated by themselves or others.  

The judges assess the nominations and produce a shortlist. This shortlist is then put to a public vote, leading to 5 finalists in each category.   

Finalists are interviewed by an independent judging panel of 3 judges. Interviews will take place at Millennium Point, Birmingham in late June 2026. Judges come from a range of organisations, including NatWest, the MoD, UoB and Make UK.

The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the businesses, organisations and individuals who are dedicated to innovation.

These Awards are open to innovative:

  • Individuals
  • Organisations- such as universities, local councils, catapults etc. 
  • Businesses based in the UK. 

The Awards have 4 main categories:

  1. The Innovators – in the manufacturing, engineering, sustainability, tech, life-sciences, defence, construction, education and creative industry sectors.  
  2. Individual Innovators – Female, Male and Young Innovator.
  3. Innovation Champions – for those who support companies with innovation.
  4. Innovation Thought Leaders -recognising those who create the platforms, finance and space for innovation

Companies, organisations and individuals are nominated by themselves or others.  

The judges assess the nominations and produce a shortlist. This shortlist is then put to a public vote, leading to 5 finalists in each category.   

Finalists are interviewed by an independent judging panel of 3 judges. Interviews will take place at Millennium Point, Birmingham in late June 2026. Judges come from a range of organisations, including NatWest, the MoD, UoB and Make UK.

  • Profiling Innovators
  • Celebrating Innovation
  • Rewarding Businesses
  • Recognising Champions
Read About 2026 Awards

2026 Awards
Kindly Supported By

Recognising UK Innovation

22

Since 2021

The Innovation Awards were started by the Technology Supply Chain in 2021

About the Innovation Awards

Launched in 2021 by the Technology Supply Chain. They celebrate innovation and those who support it.

Event Highlights Over the Years

Since the first event with Andy Street as a keynote speaker, every year to date has been a sell-out – getting bigger and more successful.

Past Winners

Past winners include winners of the Kings Award for Innovation, Ryse 3D and Brandauer, as well as innovators such as Kagool, Crowe UK, BCRS, the DRP Group, Intercity, XYZ Reality, Gateley Global, the MTC and Made Smarter.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The programme includes a finalists night, awards ceremony, and winners' dinner. Get involved in the 2025 Awards below.

Innovation Awards Overview

1: Eligibility

The Innovation Awards are open to all individuals, businesses and organisations based in the UK.  

Finalists are assessed on the impact of their innovation.  An innovation should have at least 12 months of delivering benefits to the organisation (e.g. sales, cost cutting, net zero etc).  If your innovation has yet to make sales or deliver benefits, then the New Innovation of the Year is for you. 

The Young Innovator of the Year is open to under-35s.

Nominations close on 27th March 2026.  Selected nominations will go to the public vote with five finalists going forward in each category from 27th April- 8th May.  

Finalists will be notified by 22nd May with interviews taking place at Millennium Point, Birmingham in late June.

There will be a finalist’s evening on 15th October, followed by the Awards Ceremony on Friday 13th November, during which the winner and highly commended in each category will be announced.  

2: Innovation Champions

The Innovation Champion Awards are open to organisations (e.g. universities, catapults etc.) and companies (e.g. design, marketing, IT, professional services etc.) that support businesses with innovation and growth through consultancy, workshops and advice.

Manufacturing Innovation Champion

Awarded to the company or organisation that has done the most to support innovation in manufacturing.

Tech Innovation Champion

Awarded to the company or organisation that has done the most to support innovation in digital and technology companies.
Growth Innovation Champion

Awarded to the company or organisation that has most helped another business or organisation to innovate and grow.

3: Innovation Thought Leaders

Thought leaders support others with innovation by providing finance, facilities, inspirational platforms (e.g. meetings, memberships, speaking opportunities etc.) or technology.  There are two categories: 

  1. Businesses and organisations 
  2.  Individuals
We are looking for:
  • Businesses who supply a product or service that helps others to innovate
  • Funded projects and public organisations that provided grants, facilities or a platform for innovation
  • Individuals who have inspired innovation in the business community through events, platforms etc.
Previous winners include public organisations, tax consultancies, cyber firms, universities and finance companies.  

1: Eligibility

The Innovation Awards are open to all individuals, businesses and organisations based in the UK.  

Finalists are assessed on the impact of their innovation.  An innovation should have at least 12 months of delivering benefits to the organisation (e.g. sales, cost cutting, net zero etc).  If your innovation has yet to make sales or deliver benefits, then the New Innovation of the Year is for you. 

The Young Innovator of the Year is open to under-35s.

Nominations close on 27th March 2026.  Selected nominations will go to the public vote with five finalists going forward in each category from 27th April- 8th May.  

Finalists will be notified by 22nd May with interviews taking place at Millennium Point, Birmingham in late June.

There will be a finalist’s evening on 15th October, followed by the Awards Ceremony on Friday 13th November, during which the winner and highly commended in each category will be announced.  

2: Innovation Champions

The Innovation Champion Awards are open to organisations (e.g. universities, catapults etc.) and companies (e.g. design, marketing, IT, professional services etc.) that support businesses with innovation and growth through consultancy, workshops and advice.

Manufacturing Innovation Champion

Awarded to the company or organisation that has done the most to support innovation in manufacturing.

Tech Innovation Champion

Awarded to the company or organisation that has done the most to support innovation in digital and technology companies.
Growth Innovation Champion

Awarded to the company or organisation that has most helped another business or organisation to innovate and grow.

3: Innovation Thought Leaders

Thought leaders support others with innovation by providing finance, facilities, inspirational platforms (e.g. meetings, memberships, speaking opportunities etc.) or technology.  There are two categories: 

  1. Businesses and organisations 
  2.  Individuals
We are looking for:
  • Businesses who supply a product or service that helps others to innovate
  • Funded projects and public organisations that provided grants, facilities or a platform for innovation
  • Individuals who have inspired innovation in the business community through events, platforms etc.
Previous winners include public organisations, tax consultancies, cyber firms, universities and finance companies.  

What Our Winners & Sponsors are Saying

Hear what our winners and sponsors are saying about their involvement with the Innovation Awards.

Jo Birch
I'm so delighted to have won the award. They're doing unbelievable work in growing our innovation ecosystem and really helping us demonstrate the impact that we're making as a series of businesses to drive growth in the regional economy
Jo Birch
Growthinnk Associates
Mitchell Barnes
Thank you so so so much – this award is not for me, it’s for the whole team who’ve put the work and efforts to do it. I recommend everyone apply for the awards! Such a phenomenal experience!
Mitchell Barnes
Ryse3D
Darren Moult
What an incredible Awards evening, showcasing the very best of what we have to offer! Our table was filled with amazing people, and I’m so grateful for the engaging conversations we shared.
Darren Moult
TBAT

Contact Us

If you have a question regarding the Innovation Awards, please feel free to contact us using the information below or fill in the contact form.

Email Click to Email
Phone: 0121 232 8630
Address: Grosvenor House,
11 St Pauls Square,
Birmingham, B1 3RB

    Nominations for 2026

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