The Industrial Innovation Awards celebrate the most disruptive innovations in industrial and manufacturing technology, tools, solutions, and equipment.

Formerly the NED Innovation Awards, the program has expanded to include both New Equipment Digest and Plant Services—bringing together two trusted industry brands to spotlight breakthrough products that deliver measurable results on the plant floor and across operations. The awards honor technologies that improve performance, efficiency, reliability, safety, and ROI, giving executives, engineers, and operations leaders a credible benchmark for identifying what’s truly moving manufacturing forward.

Not sure if your product qualifies?

We cover the full manufacturing industry—from OEM equipment and automation to MRO solutions and everything in between. The categories below reflect the types of products we accept and are provided as a reference. If it’s made by a manufacturer for a manufacturer, it probably belongs here.

• 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing
• Adhesives, Fastening & Assembly
• Automation Systems & Robotics
• Controls, Instrumentation & Metrology
• Electrical & Electronics
• Facility Operations & Infrastructure
• Fluid Power: Hydraulics & Pneumatics
• Industrial Materials & Chemicals
• Industrial Software, Computing & Connectivity
• Machine Tools & Metalworking
• Material Handling & Packaging
• Motion Control & Drive Components
• MRO & Predictive Maintenance
• Process Equipment & Systems
• Safety & Training
• Tools: Hand, Power & Storage

Still not sure? Contact us at awards@endeavorb2b.com.

Deadlines:

• Submissions open: April 1, 2026
• Early-bird deadline: April 29, 2026
• Regular entry deadline: May 27, 2026

BENEFIT 1: BE RECOGNIZED
Honorees have made a groundbreaking contribution to the manufacturing industry and are recognized as leaders and innovators by the largest collection of manufacturing professionals, with coverage on both New Equipment Digest and Plant Services.

BENEFIT 2: INCREASE CREDIBILITY
Being an honoree is validation of your product or service from a credible third party to the manufacturing industry. It’s a great way to reinforce the quality of your product or service for existing and potential customers, delivering measurable results on the plant floor and across operations.

BENEFIT 3: GAIN A SALES ADVANTAGE
Being recognized with a 2026 Industrial Innovation Award is an additional tool your sales team can use in their pitch. Companies recognized with this prestigious distinction can better compete for business as recognized honorees are less risky for potential customers.

BENEFIT 4: SET YOURSELF APART
Honorees rise above the competition and instantly tell the manufacturing industry that their product is unique and worthy of review.

BENEFIT 5: IT’S GREAT PR
Fully capitalize on your successful entry with announcements that grow your visibility in the industry. We even provide a press release template to promote your honoree status.

BENEFIT 6: STOCK YOUR TROPHY CABINET
Honorees are the proud recipients of the coveted 2026 Industrial Innovation Award, showcased in your company lobby. You’ll also be able to use the 2026 Industrial Innovation Award logo on your website and marketing literature to reinforce your success.

How To Submit

Creating An Account

• Click here to start your entry by logging in or creating an account 
• After you have created your account, you’ll be prompted to submit your entry. Click here to begin your entry.
• If you are interrupted and don’t have time to complete your entry, your entry will be saved as IN PROGRESS until you have time to complete it. If you forgot your password, click “lost password.”Any required fields that are not filled in will be highlighted in red when you hit SAVE
• When your entry is complete, click ADD TO CART
• At this point, you can either ENTER ANOTHER SUBMISSION or CHECKOUT
• At CHECKOUT, submit your credit card details and click PROCESS (Only click PROCESS one time!)

Submission Rates

• Early Bird Entry Rate: $375 per entry received on or prior to April 29, 2026
• Entry Rate (after April 29th): $425 per entry
• Additional Entries: $125 per submission
• Final Entry Deadline: May 27, 2026

Troubleshooting Your Electronic Entry

PROBLEM: I keep hitting SAVE, but my entry is not saving
Try This: Review your entry and confirm any required field is filled in or checked.

PROBLEM: I did NOT receive a confirmation email after submitting my entry
Confirm you entered an accurate email address
Confirmation emails are sent once payment is submitted

Selection Process
Each Industrial Innovation Awards Entry Should Meet These Criteria:

• The product must be available for purchase in the United States
• Eligible products must have been commercially launched between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Products launched outside this timeframe are not eligible.
• Products previously available outside the U.S. are eligible only if this is their first commercial introduction to the U.S. market.
• If submitting an updated version of an existing product, the entry must reflect a major redesign or significant functional enhancement. Software updates must introduce new capabilities, not minor improvements. Eligibility of redesigns or modifications made within the entry period will be determined at the magazine’s discretion.
• Entries must be submitted by an employee of the manufacturer or an authorized company representative.
• Companies may submit an unlimited number of product entries.
• Products previously entered in the former NED Innovation Awards are generally not eligible. However, updated or redesigned versions that include significant new capabilities or major enhancements may be submitted at the magazine’s discretion.
• Entries that do not meet the required guidelines or include false or misleading information will be disqualified, and entry fees will be forfeited.

Make Sure to Include the Following in your Judges’ Packet:

• A spec sheet – detailing the parameters the product or service is designed to meet.
• A brief technical description of how the product works.
• A photo or photos
• Please note: No more than 5 extra pages of documentation, including spec sheets, are allowed. Pictures, diagrams, and/or charts do not count toward your 5 pages.

Optional Items to Consider:

• Testimonials by users
• A simple brief that summarizes the ability of this product, and how it differentiates itself from the competition
• Photos and diagrams, particularly block diagrams or flow charts, that help describe how the product or service works

We want your entry to be as powerful and impressive as possible. Here are a few tips to help the judges see your entry in the most favorable light.

• Block time out on your calendar. Map out some time on your schedule so you can focus on your entry.
• Use specific, quantitative, and instantly credible language. Avoid the urge to just copy and paste the text from your marketing collateral or website.
• Be sure to answer the following questions about the product/service/software. How does your product/service/software help customers meet their objectives? How does it reduce operational expenses and/or develop new revenue sources? What are the unique features of this product as compared to competing solutions? What makes it innovative?
• Get input from the technical/engineering team. Coworkers at your company can help provide specific examples of how the development impacts the optical networking community
• Once you’ve compiled your data, review your draft and confirm it clearly demonstrates one of the following criteria: Originality, Innovation, Positive impact on the customer, How well it addresses a new or existing requirement, Novelty of approach, Cost-effectiveness.
• Back up your claims with supporting evidence such as charts, tables, or testimonials. Make it as easy as possible for the judges to look at your entry in the most favorable light.
• Call or email if we can help!

Submission Rates
Early Bird Entry Rate (ON or BEFORE April 29, 2026): $375 per entry
Regular Entry Rate (Final Deadline is May 27, 206): $425 per entry
Additional entries: $125 each

When do I need to submit my entry?
Early-bird entries are due April 29, 2026, and final entries are due May 27, 2026, before 11:59 PM EST.

Which products are eligible?

• The product must be available for purchase in the United States
• Eligible products must have been commercially launched between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Products launched outside this timeframe are not eligible.
• Products previously available outside the U.S. are eligible only if this is their first commercial introduction to the U.S. market.
• If submitting an updated version of an existing product, the entry must reflect a major redesign or significant functional enhancement. Software updates must introduce new capabilities, not minor improvements. Eligibility of redesigns or modifications made within the entry period will be determined at the magazine’s discretion.
• Entries must be submitted by an employee of the manufacturer or an authorized company representative.
• Companies may submit an unlimited number of product entries.
• Products previously entered in the former NED Innovation Awards are generally not eligible. However, updated or redesigned versions that include significant new capabilities or major enhancements may be submitted at the magazine’s discretion.
• Entries that do not meet the required guidelines or include false or misleading information will be disqualified, and entry fees will be forfeited.

Worried about non-disclosure agreements?
If you have an application that you would like to submit, but are worried that a non-disclosure agreement will prevent you from doing so, feel free to refer to the parties involved in general terms.

When will we find out if we are a finalist?
Honorees for the program will be notified in July.

Do you have a question about whether your product or application would be a worthy entrant, or where it might fit?
Reach out with questions like these and any others by contacting us.