The Innovation Award is a prize for innovation.
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What is an Innovation Award?
An Innovation Award is a prize for innovation. The CIO Magazine Innovation Awards are an initiative by ICT Media, aimed at rewarding and encouraging innovative projects among both suppliers and clients in the field of IT. The idea is to inspire the entire Dutch IT ecosystem to embrace a collaborative and innovative mindset. The awards will be presented during the Innovation Summit & Dinnershow on April 14, 2026.
Winner 2025 (Most Innovative Ecosystem)
Ad de Goeij
Global Director IT Commerce – FrieslandCampina
Winners 2025 (Most Innovative Leader)
Kurt De Ruwe
CIO – AkzoNobel
Corry Wouters
Programmamanager – Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport
Winners 2025 (Most Innovative Start-up/scale-up/challenger)
Yuri Steinbuch
Chief Business Officer – Avular
Does my organisation qualify to participate in an Innovation Award?
Of course! Innovation no longer comes solely from the traditional IT department or the CIO. The most diverse departments, individuals, and organisational forms contribute to it. So, you or your organisation can too. As long as you think innovatively!
What should I do to participate in an Innovation Award?
We would like to receive a short motivation of about 50 words in which you clearly explain why you or your organization deserves an Innovation Award. You can submit the motivation via the buttons below. The deadline is February 1, 2026.
The categories you can enter are:
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Most Innovative Leader: a leader who truly stands out in approach and vision
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Most Innovative Ecosystem: at a company that procures IT services, an IT service provider, or a collaboration of companies delivering an innovative solution or service together
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Most Innovative Start-up/Scale-up/Challenger: organisations characterized by high speed, agility, and specialisation
I’ve submitted my motivation, what’s the next step in the process?
The jury will select a top 5 per category based on the submitted motivations. If you or your organisation makes the top 5, you’ll receive a form asking if you want to elaborate on your case. You must submit this case by March 1, 2026, at the latest, giving the jury enough basis for a well-considered judgment.
The top 3 per category will then be determined from the submitted cases. If you or your organisation is in this top 3, we’ll invite you to the jury meeting on March 25, 2026, to substantiate your case.
What if I’m in the top 3?
The winner will be announced during the Innovation Summit & Dinnershow on April 14, 2026. We will then invite one person from your organisation to participate in the program, and perhaps even receive the CIO Magazine Innovation Award. Additionally, we will feature your organisation on our website.
Who are the winners?
The winners per category will be announced during the Innovation Summit & Dinnershow. All nominees will then present their case in a 120-second pitch. Curious who will ultimately take home the prize? Sign up quickly!
The jury
Eric Wesselman
KPMG
Tjibbe van der Zeeuw
Squadra
Anja Dekhuijzen
Whitebridge
Ben van der Burg
Triple
Daniel Gebler
Picnic
Rob Beijleveld
ICT Media
Erik Beulen
Universiteit van Manchester
Award Policy
Nominees are invited by the organisation (ICT Media) to participate in the award ceremony. A nominee may bring 1 guest. In principle, this concerns a direct colleague within their organisation. If this is not the case, ICT Media reserves the right to refuse this guest. If there is a desire to bring more guests or guests other than direct colleagues, this must be submitted to ICT Media.
Only with a formal confirmation from ICT Media is a registration complete and therefore accepted. Participation is free of charge.