Revealed: Programme for this year’s awards, climaxing with the finale event in Birmingham in November
The programme for the 2026 Innovation Awards launched today (Feb 2) – as organisers prepare to announce a “major national brand” as its newest sponsor.
Event director Dr Richard Fallon declared the 2026 programme open at a launch event, at Hotel du Vin Birmingham, attended by more than 100 guests including past Innovation Awards winners and partners.
The launch was part of the West Midlands Business Festival events schedule, which kicked off in Birmingham today and is set to run until February 13.
Established highlight in the UK business calendar
Dr Fallon, CEO of the Technology Supply Chain (TSC) membership organisation, and Innovations Awards event director and co-founder, said: “The 2025 Innovation Awards was a resounding success for everyone involved. We excelled ourselves, but I am confident we can surpass those dizzy heights this year.
“I am pleased to declare the 2026 Innovation Awards open. Last year, we had more than 1,000 nominations across our 18 award categories. The competition was fierce and the eventual winners were each of a superbly high standard.
“Our programme of Innovation Awards events supports the TSC’s ongoing purpose of working with and supporting our member organisations.
“A judging panel will soon be assembled with a multi-stage judging process to follow before our grand finale awards ceremony event at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on November 13.”
Major national brand secured as a TSC patron and Innovation Awards sponsor
He added: “We are thrilled to have brought on a major national brand in the tech space as a new patron member of the TSC and a lead sponsor of the Innovation Awards. We can’t say who it is just yet, but we will announce them soon. Be excited because we are.”
Categories include Defence, Female, Young and Creative Industries Innovator of the Year. To see the full list, visit https://innovation-awards.co.uk/
‘Building on that strong base of success this year’
The Innovation Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the businesses, organisations and individuals who are dedicated to innovation.
The awards are open to innovative individuals, businesses and organisations – including universities, local councils and catapults – based in the UK.
The Innovations Awards is owned and run by One Thousand Trades Events Ltd, part of the One Thousand Trades Group (OTTG) Ltd of companies.
Paul Cadman, chief executive of the OTTG, co-director of the TSC and co-founder of the Innovation Awards, said: “Bringing people together to ignite collaboration, growth and success is what we do. We were thrilled with last year’s Innovation Awards and we are intent on building on that strong base of success this year.”
