Nominations for the 2026 Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award are officially open. This invitation calls for 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.
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. This is 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.
To be eligible, nominees should be from small- or medium-sized companies with under $500 million in revenue. Their products must have launched after July 1, 2024, and have at least one customer deployment. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of industry expert judges, and finalists will be announced in April.
The nomination deadline is February 13. Do not miss this chance to shine a spotlight on the innovations shaping what’s next.
Separately, tickets are now live for the TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026. On June 23 in Boston, more than 1,100 founders will come together for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Attendees will learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry and connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. The goal is to walk away with tactics you can apply immediately. You can save up to $300 on your pass or save up to 30% with group tickets for teams of four or more. The event will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on June 23, 2026.