Tech Trailblazers Awards widens entries to scale-ups

The Tech Trailblazers Awards has opened entries for its 2026 programme and widened eligibility to include scale-ups.

The enterprise technology awards programme is marking its 15th year. Previously focused on start-ups, it will now accept entries from private companies under 10 years old that are privately funded or backed by venture capital up to Series C.

The change reflects a broader shift in the technology sector, where many younger companies have moved beyond the start-up phase while still competing for recognition, customers and investment. The revised criteria are intended to capture businesses that have already built teams, customers and products but remain in a high-growth stage.

Entries will be accepted from companies worldwide across categories including AI, Big Data, Blockchain, Cloud, Cyber Security, Developer, Diversity, Female CxO, FinTech, Investment, IoT/OT, Male CxO, Mobile, Quantum, Robotics, Storage and Sustainable Tech.

Rose Ross, Founder and Chief Trailblazer, Tech Trailblazers Awards, said: "Celebrating 15 years of the Tech Trailblazers Awards is a very special milestone for us. When we launched the Awards, our goal was to create a platform that could shine a light on enterprise technology companies with the ambition, originality and determination to change their markets. Fifteen years later, that mission feels more relevant than ever."

Ross linked the eligibility change to shifts in how newer technology companies develop and grow.

"The technology landscape has evolved enormously. Many of today's most exciting businesses are no longer simply start-ups in the traditional sense. They are scale-ups with customers, teams, international ambitions and proven technology, but they are still very much trailblazers. Expanding eligibility to include scale-ups allows us to recognise a broader and more realistic picture of innovation in 2026."

Past winners

The awards programme has built an alumni list of companies that later secured funding, expanded internationally or were acquired. Previous winners, finalists and runners-up include Cohesity, Icetope, Nutanix, Risk Ledger, VAST Data, ZeroFox and Zscaler.

That track record has become part of the scheme's appeal to younger companies seeking visibility in crowded areas of enterprise technology. Several former participants said external recognition helped in conversations with customers, partners and investors.

Jim Zuffoletti, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, SafeGuard Cyber, described the awards as "third-party validation that is critical for organisations."

Nathan Burke, Chief Marketing Officer, Axonius, said: "Awards and recognition really, really matter."

Richard Li, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Ambassador Labs, called it a "huge honour".

Niraj Tolia, former President and General Manager, Kasten, said "recognition counts for a lot".

He also offered a stronger endorsement of the awards process, saying the programme would be "first in line".

Judging process

The programme continues to use a judging panel drawn from the technology industry. In the previous cycle, it also added a separate panel of 1,000 Chief Information Officers, Chief Information Security Officers and senior IT decision-makers to assess shortlisted companies alongside the main judges and a public vote.

The addition suggests an effort to place more weight on the views of potential buyers and users of enterprise technology, rather than relying only on industry experts. For entrants, that may increase the commercial relevance of the process as well as the reputational value of making a shortlist or winning a category.

Steve O'Donnell, Head Judge, Tech Trailblazers Awards, has described winning as a potential "game changer", offering "exposure, mentoring, a huge leg-up".

Long-standing judge Joe Baguley, Chief Technology Officer EMEA, Broadcom, has said the awards help judges identify "what's popping up in the gaps" and "what the cool stuff is" across enterprise technology.

Ross said the awards are intended to offer more than a trophy.

"Entering awards isn't just about winning. It's about honing your story, raising your profile and joining a global community of innovators."

The entry process asks companies to set out the problem they address, explain what differentiates their technology and show evidence of market fit, customer proof and competitive position. That emphasis on evidence suggests submissions should focus on commercial traction and practical use rather than broad claims.

Ross outlined what judges look for in a submission.

"Judges love evidence. Passion matters, but proof matters too. The strongest entries are the ones that explain the technology clearly, show why the market needs it and demonstrate that customers or partners are already seeing value."

The programme's scope, with categories stretching from cyber security and cloud to robotics and sustainable tech, underlines how crowded the enterprise technology field has become. For smaller firms trying to stand out, industry awards remain one of the few structured routes to third-party recognition before they reach the scale of public markets or major acquisitions.

"We are on a mission to give our Tech Trailblazers the widest possible exposure to senior decision-makers. Venture backing remains important, but customers are often the most powerful backers for emerging technology companies. We want the Awards to help open more doors than ever before."