Six reasons to enter the Tech Trailblazers Awards

Are you an enterprise technology startup with a trailblazing innovation? Or is your organization helping the tech startup community to thrive? Do you want to gain recognition for your work?

Entering the Tech Trailblazers could be your next best move. Here’s six reasons why:

1. Gain exposure to an industry-leading judging panel

Over the last 10 editions, we’ve worked hard to bring new judges on board that represent all areas of enterprise technology. Head Judge Steve O’Donnell (CIO, B&CE) leads a 40-strong global panel of C-suite professionals, tech media and senior technologists from the likes of Silicon Valley Bank, McAfee, DXC Technology, B&CE, Standard Bank Wealth International, SNIA, Cloud Security Alliance, Redline Capital – the list goes on! 

By entering an award, you’ll have the chance to make a lasting impression on some of the most senior voices in enterprise technology. 

2. Gain recognition as an innovative startup in your field 

We’re not just any awards scheme. Since 2012, we’ve been building an extended trailblazing network of over 10,000 enterprise tech startup enthusiasts! This means that winners and runners-up receive publicity on our established platform – in podcast interviews, blog posts, press releases and across our social networks.

Our latest eBook, Tech Trailblazers @ 10, is a great example of how we promote past and present winners and runners-up in interviews and spotlight profiles. Download it for free here.   

3. More categories = more opportunities for recognition! 

Each year, we evolve the Tech Trailblazers Awards with new categories to reflect what’s important in the enterprise tech and tech startup communities. This continuous expansion gives entrants more opportunities to be recognized as a winner or runner-up. 

For 2021, we’ve introduced two new categories – the Diversity Trailblazers and Investment Trailblazers awards. Both are open to technology startups and the wider tech ecosystem. Think VCs, banks, government bodies, accelerators, legal firms and more. A full list of categories can be found at www.techtrailblazers.com 

4. Low barriers to entry

We offer competitive entry fees for all entrants, as well as a Firestarter Bursary to early-stage startups under three years old and at pre-VC funding, to ensure entry fees are not a barrier. Companies eligible for the Firestarter award can enter one technology category of their choice for free, and will automatically be entered into the Firestarter category. 

Click here for more information on eligibility.  

5. You’ll be prepared for important funding conversations

Think of your Tech Trailblazers entry as a trial run for your first or next funding application. In the words of Head Judge, Steve O’Donnell: 

“We review your submission with the same skepticism and detail that a VC would. We want evidence and proof points – help us do our research by providing external links. Creating your entry with this in mind also means that when you’re approached by a VC later, you’ve already thought about and answered the questions they’re going to ask you.”

6. Join our first awards celebration evening – for free!

On Wednesday 8th December 2021, join us (in the comfort of your own home/office!) as we reveal 2021’s trailblazing winners and runners-up! You’ll have the chance to hear from our leading panel of C-suite judges, network with them and the entire Tech Trailblazers community. We’ll also be throwing in a few surprises along the way! Tickets to be released soon. 

Key information

Entries close on September 10th at 23:59pm Pacific Time. 

FREE: remember that early-stage startups (three years old or less, without VC funding) are eligible for the Firestarter bursary, where they can apply to one tech category free of charge and will be entered automatically for the Firestarter Trailblazers award.

For more information, visit www.techtrailblazers.com, follow @techtrailblaze, or listen to the #OnFire podcasts.