Innovation Awards Summit

A statewide celebration of problem-solving, creativity and technology.

September 2, 2026

Time: 8:30 am - 1 pm

Utah Cultural Celebration Center

Nominate by July 15, 2026

Event Overview

Utah ranks No. 1 in the nation for innovative capacity. Our economic system supports the creation and implementation of good ideas, and Utah Business is celebrating the people who work to build them.

Join us in spotlighting the brightest innovators, boldest founders and most forward-thinking companies at the Innovation Awards Summit, Utah’s statewide celebration of problem-solving, creativity and technology.

This dynamic, half-day event includes:

Dynamic presentations on the state of innovation in Utah with innovation experts and successful inventors
An interactive Innovations Fair, where entrepreneurs and inventors display and demo their product(s) with attendees
Networking with other innovators, investors and business leaders
A high-stakes speed pitch competition, where selected applicants will take the stage for 60 seconds to convince a panel of judges their company should take home the check
Innovation Awards luncheon and ceremony

Attendees to the Innovation Awards Summit will witness cutting-edge solutions across various sectors, including tech, health sciences, aerospace, manufacturing, consumer goods and more, while making connections with fellow innovators.

We will roll out the red carpet for the 2026 Innovation Award honorees, sharing their stories and expressing gratitude for their impact in driving Utah’s innovation ecosystem forward.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, student, or innovator, this event is your opportunity to rub shoulders with the leaders shaping the future of business in Utah and make connections that help you achieve your business growth goals.

About Last Year's Winners

Submit a Nomination

Become A Sponsor

Agenda

8:30 AM

Registration

9:00 - 9:10 AM

Introduction

9:10 - 9:45 AM

Innovation Panel

9:45 - 10:30 AM

Pitch Competition

10:30 - 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 - 11:45 AM

Innovation Fair

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Break & Move to Lunch

12:15 - 1:00 PM

Lunch & Awards Ceremony (Innovation awards + Announce pitch competition winner)

About the Nomination Process

How are honorees selected?

Nominations are scored by a panel of business and industry experts. Judge scores are then averaged and ranked to determine top performers.

Who can submit a nomination?

Anyone may nominate a candidate! You can nominate yourself or nominate someone whom you think would be a good selection.

What information should be included in the nomination?

Stand-out nominations provide specific details about the contributions and impact of the nominee. Consider including information about your nominee’s expertise, accomplishments, and community involvement, as well as explanations about your nominee’s unique traits and statistics about their professional or leadership successes. For more details on nomination information, please visit our award Q&A page here.

Is there a fee to submit a nomination?

No!

What is the nomination process like?

To submit a nomination, click on the “Nominate Here” button on this page. You’ll fill out a simple form with basic information about the nominee, details about how they stand out among their peers, how they have fostered principled leadership and how they have contributed to their organization’s culture and impact.

Do multiple nominations for a candidate improve their chances of being selected?

No. Honorees are selected based on merit rather than popular vote. It is best to compile all the information into one well-written nomination. As the judges read through all the nominations—sometimes hundreds of them—it’s easier for them to get a full picture of the nominee if all information is in the same nomination.

Submit a Nomination

Speed Pitch Competition

Apply by July 31

Six founders will take the stage for a fast-paced pitch competition, each given five minutes to present their latest innovation to a panel of judges for the chance to win a donated cash prize. Slides are permitted, and founders are encouraged to bring their boldest ideas and sharpest presentations. The first-place winner will be announced at the awards luncheon.

Whether you're a founder ready to showcase your work or an attendee eager to see what's next, this is an incredible opportunity to bridge innovative thinking across industries and illustrate the great work Utah is doing. From emerging technology to community-centered solutions, the pitches represent the best of what happens when entrepreneurial ambition meets real-world impact. Come ready to inspire and be inspired.

Prizes: Coming Soon
Cost to Nominees: Free
Cost to others: Free

Apply by July 31

Submit an Application

Innovations Fair

Register by August 17

Bringing Utah's innovation ecosystem to life, the Innovation Fair features interactive exhibits from Innovation Award nominees representing industries such as technology, health sciences, aerospace, manufacturing, consumer products and more. Walk the floor, experience breakthrough ideas firsthand and connect directly with the innovators solving tomorrow's biggest challenges.

This is your chance to go beyond the stage and get hands-on with the products, platforms and solutions reshaping industries across the state. Whether you're an investor looking for the next big opportunity, a founder seeking collaboration or simply curious about what's emerging in Utah, the Innovation Fair offers something for everyone. Come prepared to ask questions, make connections and leave inspired.

Participants will be provided a 6-foot table.