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Award Categories

The categories for the 2026 Yorkshire Tech Awards

The Yorkshire Tech Awards categories are open to everyone involved in technology services within Yorkshire, from outstanding trainees to regional directors, as well as developers, rising stars and fintechs.

Find the categories and criteria, key information and links, and the all-important buttons for the entry form below. Good luck!

Innovation & Technology

  • Tech Innovation of the Year

    Open to any organisation delivering a new or significantly improved technology, product, or solution in the past 12 months

    1. Provide an overview of the innovation and its purpose
    2. How does it solve a clear problem or create new opportunities?
    3. What measurable impact has been achieved?
    4. How is it differentiated from existing market alternatives?
    5. Include testimonials, results or third-party recognition where possible
  • AI & Data Initiative of the Year

    Open to AI-enabled and data-led projects driving smarter decision-making or operational efficiency

    1. Outline the initiative and its objectives

    2. How is AI or data being used in a meaningful, responsible way?

    3. What outcomes or improvements have been proven?

    4. Describe innovation and technical advancement

    5. Highlight any governance, ethics or privacy considerations

  • Cybersecurity Solution of the Year

    Recognising exceptional products or services that enhance cyber resilience

    1. Describe the cybersecurity challenge addressed

    2. What technology or methodology drives the solution?

    3. Demonstrate measurable improvements in protection or risk reduction

    4. How is the approach innovative or ahead of threats?

    5. Any independent testing, accreditation or feedback?

  • Digital Transformation Project of the Year

    Celebrating projects modernising processes, systems or services

    1. Provide an overview of the transformation goals

    2. What technologies and change initiatives were implemented?

    3. What efficiency, cost or service improvements are evidenced?

    4. How was adoption managed across teams?

    5. What makes the transformation stand out?

  • SaaS Product of the Year

    Open to software-as-a-service products across any industry

    1. Explain the product and who it serves

    2. What value does it deliver for users or customers?

    3. Evidence market traction and growth

    4. Showcase innovation in features or delivery

    5. Share client feedback or performance data

  • Emerging Technology Award

    Recognising cutting-edge tech such as VR, AR, robotics, IoT, blockchain

    1. Explain the technology and its potential impact

    2. How is it pioneering or future-focused?

    3. Provide early success or proof-of-concept results

    4. What collaboration or research supports its development?

    5. Why is it significant for Yorkshire’s tech landscape?

Business Growth & Success

  • Start-up of the Year

    Open to tech companies under 3 years old

    1. Overview of the business and value proposition

    2. Evidence traction, resilience, and successful execution

    3. What makes the start-up innovative or disruptive?

    4. Team credentials and growth potential

    5. Any standout milestones or recognition?

  • Scale-up of the Year

    Open to high-growth tech companies scaling rapidly

    1. Outline growth achievements (revenue, jobs, users, etc.)

    2. What strategies have accelerated progress?

    3. How has innovation driven expansion?

    4. Evidence market impact and future ambition

    5. Highlight culture and operational excellence

  • Tech Company of the Year

    Recognising large established businesses with proven excellence

    1. Demonstrate sustained performance and leadership

    2. How does the company support innovation and growth?

    3. Contribution to the regional tech ecosystem

    4. Client results, reputation and quality

    5. Culture, talent and investment in people

  • Sustainable Tech Initiative of the Year

    For technology improving environmental sustainability

    1. Describe the initiative and sustainability goals

    2. Evidence environmental benefits or carbon reduction

    3. How is technology driving change?

    4. Innovation and scalability potential

    5. Any certifications, data or recognition?

People & Talent

  • Tech Leader of the Year

    For outstanding leadership driving technology success

    1. Outline leadership achievements and vision

    2. Impact on people, culture and business outcomes

    3. Innovations or major strategic decisions

    4. What sets their leadership style apart?

    5. Peer or client endorsements recommended

  • Rising Tech Star

    Open to individuals in early career who show exceptional promise

    1. Role responsibilities and achievements to date

    2. How have they shown creativity, ability or leadership?

    3. Contribution to team and organisation success

    4. Evidence of growth, commitment and influence

    5. What recognition has the example of outstanding customer service received from third parties?  
  • Customer Excellence Award

    For teams or organisations delivering outstanding customer experience

    1. Describe your service approach and customer promise

    2. Evidence improvements in satisfaction, loyalty or success

    3. How do you use technology to enhance service?

    4. Innovation in delivery or support model

    5. Results, feedback or case studies encouraged

  • Tech Team of the Year

    Recognising teams driving high-impact outcomes

    1. Team structure, purpose and collaboration approach

    2. Key achievements over the past 12 months

    3. How does the team innovate and solve challenges?

    4. Internal culture and working practices

    5. Stakeholder or customer praise/impact

  • Developer of the Year

    For exceptional technical expertise and delivery – Open to developers and software engineers

    1. Key development achievements and contributions

    2. Innovation and problem-solving examples

    3. Quality, performance and user impact

    4. Collaboration with teams and stakeholders

    5. Any open-source, community or mentoring activity

Sector Specialisms

  • FinTech Project of the Year

    For tech transforming financial services

    1. Overview and objectives of the project

    2. Demonstrate innovation and regulatory awareness

    3. Measurable impact for users or institutions

    4. Evidence security and trust considerations

    5. Market adoption or pilot results

  • HealthTech Innovation of the Year

    For advancing healthcare delivery, accessibility or outcomes

    1. Explain the health challenge addressed

    2. Demonstrate value for clinicians/patients

    3. Evidence improved efficiency, quality or safety

    4. Regulatory, data security or ethical strengths

    5. Collaboration with healthcare partners

  • EdTech Initiative of the Year

    For tech that enhances education and learning

    1. Describe the initiative and who benefits

    2. What makes the approach innovative?

    3. Evidence improved engagement, skills or outcomes

    4. Scalable and inclusive design

    5. Feedback from educators or learners

  • Best Use of Cloud Technology

    For organisations unlocking value through cloud transformation

    1. Community Impact AwardDescribe the cloud technology deployed

    2. Efficiency, cost or performance improvements

    3. Security, integration and scalability strengths

    4. Innovative use of architecture or automation

    5. Client or stakeholder results

  • Community Impact Award

    For tech-driven community or charity initiatives in Yorkshire

    1. Outline the community challenge and target audience

    2. How is technology enabling meaningful change?

    3. Evidence social value and sustainability

    4. Collaboration with local partners or charities

    5. Engagement and feedback from beneficiaries

Are you ready to enter The Yorkshire Tech Awards 2026?

These awards were developed to celebrate this incredible community, and the achievements and successes of the UK’s best and brightest.

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