Spotlighting the rising stars of Iowa’s tech landscape, the Startup Technology Company of the Year award celebrates a young and dynamic tech enterprise that has shown exceptional potential in the market. This accolade is reserved for those innovative companies that have been operating for three years or less and have generated under $1 million in sales revenue over the past 12 months. For the purposes of this award, the ‘past 12 months’ is defined as the period leading up to the start of our nomination period, from July 1 to August 7. We’re looking for trailblazers who are redefining the boundaries of technology with their creativity and vision, signaling a bright and promising future.

Honoring the unsung heroes of Iowa’s tech sector, the IT Service Provider Technology Company of the Year award recognizes exceptional companies that empower their clients through innovative technology solutions. These industry leaders excel in optimizing workloads, slashing internal business costs, accelerating time-to-market, and fortifying infrastructure with cutting-edge software applications or hardware services. The award celebrates those who deliver excellence in IT services and drive transformative change in their clients’ operations. Nominees for this category should consider the 12 months leading up to our nomination period, from July 1 to August 7, as the timeframe for their achievements.

The Manufacturing Innovation of the Year award celebrates groundbreaking advancements in the realm of manufacturing technology. This award honors companies and/or partners or providers who have pioneered significant developments in hardware or software manufacturing technologies and automation applications. Innovations that have notably enhanced speed, accuracy, customization, and cost-efficiency, leading to substantial market advantages for customers and partners, are at the forefront of this award. It is a tribute to transformative solutions that steer the manufacturing industry towards a more efficient and competitive future. Eligible innovations are those implemented or realized within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The AI Breakthrough of the Year award celebrates a landmark achievement in the field of artificial intelligence. This award honors organizations and/or clients or partners who have made significant strides in AI technology over the past 12 months. Potential achievements could be through innovative algorithms, groundbreaking applications, or transformative implementations that have pushed the boundaries of AI to new heights. This award recognizes efforts that result in profound impacts on industry operations, market dynamics, or societal advancements. It emphasizes solutions that demonstrate technical excellence and set the stage for future advancements in AI. Eligible breakthroughs are those developed or achieved within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The Outstanding UX/CX Achievement of the Year award recognizes remarkable accomplishments in the user experience (UX) and/or customer experience (CX) spaces. This award is dedicated to companies/organizations who have developed outstanding solutions or applications that significantly enhance how users and customers interact with technology. Focusing on innovative design, intuitive interfaces, and impactful user engagement, this award highlights achievements transforming how products and services are experienced, leading to higher satisfaction and engagement. The accolade seeks to honor solutions that blend functionality with exceptional aesthetics, setting new standards in UX/CX. Eligible achievements are those developed or implemented within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The Data Solution of the Year award celebrates outstanding achievements in the diverse world of data, whether through a single groundbreaking solution or a series of integrated data initiatives. This award acknowledges those who have excelled in developing and implementing data solutions, covering areas including, but not limited to, data governance, analytics, management, and visualization. Recognized are the efforts that have significantly advanced the way data is processed, analyzed, and utilized, leading to impactful insights and decisions. This award highlights work that demonstrates mastery in turning data into a strategic asset, enhancing data quality, improving accessibility, or fostering data-driven cultures. Eligible solutions and achievements are those developed or implemented within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The Best Technology Culture of the Year award recognizes an organization that has excelled in creating and nurturing a technology culture that drives success and innovation. This award celebrates companies where technology is not just a tool but a fundamental part of the organizational ethos, encouraging employees to engage, innovate, and excel in a tech-centric environment. Key aspects of this culture include the integration of advanced technology practices, fostering open communication around tech initiatives, recruiting diverse talent with strong tech skills, and providing opportunities for continuous tech-focused professional development. This accolade honors organizations that have established a technology culture that not only enhances productivity and employee satisfaction but also propels the organization’s growth and leadership in its field. 

Eligible organizations are those that have demonstrated a robust and dynamic technology culture within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

Next-Gen Tech Professional of the Year award is presented to an individual early in their tech career, with less than 10 years of experience, who has made significant contributions and demonstrated exceptional potential within the Iowa technology industry. This award celebrates emerging talent working within the state, recognizing individuals for their outstanding achievements, creativity, and the promise they hold to shape the future of technology in Iowa. Honored are those who have shown an ability to innovate, lead, and inspire within Iowa’s tech landscape. This accolade acknowledges their significant accomplishments and exciting potential to influence the growth and advancement of technology in the region.

Eligible candidates are those whose influence and impact have become evident within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The Emerging Iowa Technology Leader of the Year award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact and demonstrates continuous, outstanding achievement in the Iowa technology community. This award celebrates a leader who epitomizes the future of tech leadership in Iowa. Distinguished by their significant contributions and dedication to advancing the state’s tech sector, this individual exhibits dynamic leadership, innovative approaches, and the ability to inspire others.

Eligible candidates are those whose achievements and influence have been particularly evident within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The CIO/CTO of the Year award honors a distinguished leader known for their innovation and creativity in the strategic planning and deployment of enterprise systems. This award recognizes a CIO or CTO (or equivalent executive role) who has demonstrated excellence in setting future IT goals, embodying a visionary management philosophy, and providing exceptional service to both the industry and the community. Celebrating the blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership, this award highlights the significant role these executives play in advancing technology within their organizations and contributing to broader industry development.

The focus is on leaders who have made impactful achievements and set exemplary standards in the technology field over the past 12 months, leading up to the nomination period from July 1 to August 7.

The CISO of the Year award celebrates an exceptional Chief Information Security Officer (or equivalent executive role) within the Iowa technology industry who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in cybersecurity. This award honors a CISO who has notably contributed to protecting Iowa-based organizations’ digital assets, implementing advanced security strategies, and promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness across the state. The award acknowledges achievements in bolstering organizational security posture, responding adeptly to emerging threats, and making significant contributions to the broader cybersecurity community in Iowa. Recognizing the critical role CISOs play in safeguarding information and infrastructure in the region, this award showcases their expertise, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Eligible achievements for this award are those made within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 7.

The UHY Impact Award, presented by UHY, honors outstanding individuals or organizations that have made a significant impact on the growth, success, and sustainability of Iowa’s technology community. Whether through groundbreaking initiatives, influential projects, or long-term contributions to the sector, the award highlights the efforts that significantly propel the advancement of technology in Iowa. The UHY Impact Award is a testament to the dedication and achievements of those who are shaping the future of technology in the state, reflecting UHY’s commitment to supporting and celebrating excellence in the technology sector.

The Growth Technology Company of the Year award recognizes an Iowa technology or tech-enabled company with annual revenues between $1 million and $10 million that is using technology to drive innovation, growth, market traction, customer experience, or business impact. This award honors growing companies demonstrating strong vision, execution, and measurable progress through their products, services, operations, or business model. Eligible companies should show notable achievements within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 12, and contribute to Iowa’s continued growth as a technology and innovation leader.

The Enterprise Technology Company of the Year award recognizes an Iowa company with annual revenues exceeding $10 million that is using technology to drive innovation, growth, operational excellence, customer experience, or market impact. This award honors enterprise-level companies demonstrating strong strategy, vision, execution, and measurable progress through their products, services, operations, or business model. Eligible companies should show notable achievements within the 12 months leading up to the nomination period, from July 1 to August 12, and contribute to Iowa’s continued growth as a technology and innovation leader.