Nominations for the 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award are open

Nominations for 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award Officially open, it invites leading technologies and solutions to enter the spotlight and be recognized to make a meaningful impact across connected industries.

Named in honor of Joseph C. Belden, a visionary who helped shape telecommunications and early communication, this award celebrates innovations that push boundaries and power the future. With more than 120 years of legacy, the program highlights advanced technologies across sectors, including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, communications and more.

Learn more and start applying here.

What’s new in 2026?

This year’s award focuses extensively on the IT/OT convergence, recognizing solutions that bridge the gap between IT and operating systems – the critical frontier in modern industrial and enterprise innovation.

Finalists and winners will receive exposure with industry leaders, networking opportunities, and customized co-marketing support to elevate their solutions. Previous honorees have included companies providing fault-tolerant computing and agent AI platforms that are transforming operations at scale.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, candidates must be from small or medium-sized companies (less than $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.

The deadline hits in a few days

The deadline for nomination is February 13 — Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight the innovations shaping the future. Learn more and submit your nomination on the official award portal.