The search is on: 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award nominations are open

Submissions are officially underway for the 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award, which recognises pioneering technologies and forward-thinking solutions that deliver measurable impact across connected industries.

Established in tribute to Joseph C. Belden — whose early contributions helped shape the telecommunications and connectivity landscape — the award honours advancements that redefine what is possible and help shape the industries of tomorrow. Backed by more than 120 years of heritage, the program highlights transformative technologies across manufacturing, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and other industrial sectors.

What’s new for 2026?

For this year’s edition, the award broadens its focus to include IT/OT convergence, highlighting solutions that integrate information technology and operational technology. As industrial environments become increasingly digitised and interconnected, bridging these domains has emerged as a pivotal challenge and opportunity for enterprise innovation.

Companies selected as finalists and winners will gain exposure to key industry stakeholders, access to networking opportunities, and customised co-marketing initiatives designed to amplify their visibility. Past recipients have included organisations delivering resilient, fault-tolerant computing systems and agentic AI platforms that transform large-scale operational workflows.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible nominees must represent small- or medium-sized enterprises with annual revenues below $500 million. Products entered into consideration must have launched after July 1, 2024, and must already have at least one customer deployment in place. A panel composed of experienced industry judges will evaluate submissions, with finalists expected to be revealed in April.

Nomination deadline approaching

The window for submissions closes on February 13. Innovators seeking to showcase technologies that are helping define the next era of connected systems are encouraged to act quickly. Additional details and nomination materials are available through the official award portal.