Nominations for the 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award are officially open, inviting groundbreaking technologies and solutions to step into the spotlight and be recognized for driving meaningful impact across connected industries.
Named in honor of Joseph C. Belden, a visionary who helped shape early telecommunications and connectivity, this award celebrates innovations that push boundaries and power the future. With more than 120 years of legacy behind it, the program highlights breakthrough technologies across sectors, including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and more.
Learn more and start your submission here.
What’s new in 2026?
This year’s award has an expanded focus on IT/OT convergence, recognizing solutions that bridge the gap between information technology and operational systems — a critical frontier in modern industrial and enterprise innovation.
Finalists and winners will receive visibility with industry leaders, networking opportunities, and tailored co-marketing support to elevate their solutions’ profiles. Previous honorees have included companies delivering fault-tolerant computing and agentic AI platforms that transform operations at scale.
Who’s eligible
To be eligible, nominees should be from small- or medium-sized companies (under $500 million in revenue) with products launched after July 1, 2024, and with at least one customer deployment. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of industry expert judges, and finalists will be announced in April.
Deadline hits in a couple of days
The nomination deadline is February 13 — don’t miss this chance to shine a spotlight on the innovations shaping what’s next. Learn more and submit your nomination on the official award portal.
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1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediately
Offer ends March 13.
