Nominations for 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award are officially open, inviting breakthrough technologies and solutions to step into the spotlight and be recognized as having a significant impact on 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 heritage behind it, the program highlights innovative 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 operating systems – a critical frontier in modern industrial and business innovation.
Finalists and winners will receive visibility with industry leaders, networking opportunities and tailored co-marketing support to raise the profiles of their solutions. Past honorees have included companies that provide fault-tolerant computing and artificial intelligence platforms that transform operations at scale.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible, applicants should be from small or mid-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 experts and finalists will be announced in April.
The deadline is in a few days
The deadline for nominations is February 13 — don’t miss this opportunity to shine a spotlight on the innovations that shape the continuum. Find out more and submit your nomination on the official awards portal.
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