Celebrating the most innovative products, services & organizations in the Chicago region

Winners of the Chicago Innovation Awards cut across all industries, representing big companies, small companies, for-profit and nonprofit, high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech. They demonstrate the breadth of innovation that is unique to the Chicago region.

2026 Chicago Innovation Awards Ceremony In

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Nominate by July 31

Meet Judges

View Past Winners

Chicago Innovation Awards Major Exposure

The Power of the Ceremony

Guests Attend the Ceremony Annually

Winners Annually

Award Categories

The Power of the Ceremony

Guests Attend the Ceremony Annually

Winners Annually

Award Categories

See More Photos

Opportunities for the Winners

Celebrate Your Innovation

Promote your commitment to innovation to your employees, customers, and investors.

Get Major Exposure

Winners are recognized in front of business and civic leaders at the annual Chicago Innovation Awards ceremony, along with media coverage.

Chicago Innovation Awards Winners NASDAQ Bell Ringing Ceremony

Ring the Nasdaq Bell

Winners are celebrated on a global stage when they ring the Nasdaq Bell in Times Square, New York City.

Chicago Innovation Awards Winners Meeting Toni Preckwinkle

Elevate Your Network

Winners meet with the Cook County President and other local government leaders.

how the process unfolds

Nominee to Winner Journey

May 1 – July 31

Nominations Open

Submit your organization or nominate an innovator making an impact in the Chicago region.

August 1 – September 30

Nominees Evaluated by Expert Judges

A panel of industry leaders reviews submissions and selects the most promising innovations.

September

Nominee Celebration Event

All nominees are recognized and celebrated with Chicago’s innovation community.

October

Top 100 Nominees Invited to Innovation Course at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management

A scholarship to Northwestern Kellogg’s The Practical Innovator program ($2,500 value), a one-day executive education experience led by renowned innovation faculty and industry leaders.

November

Winners Honored at the Chicago Innovation Awards Ceremony

The year’s most groundbreaking innovations are announced and celebrated at our annual Chicago Innovation Awards ceremony.

The Following Summer/Spring

Winners Ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell in NYC

Award winners travel to New York City to ring the Nasdaq Bell, marking their achievement on a national stage.

Past Winner Stats

Join 442 Chicago Innovation Award Winners

98% of 442

past winners are still in business.

$159 Billion

in exit value of 77 past winners being acquired.

$4.3 Billion

has been invested in winners AFTER receiving their award.

98% of 442

past winners are still in business.

$159 Billion

in exit value of 77 Past Winners.

$4.3 Billion

has been invested in winners AFTER receiving their award.

View All Past Winners

from past winners

What Winning Meant to Them

“It's an absolute honor to be a winner of the Chicago Innovation Awards. It's truly a validation that we are on the right track.”

—Kristi Ross, Co-Founder, tastytrade, 2014 Winner

“To be a winner means a lot to the in-house design, marketing, and engineering teams.”

—Tom Schlegel, Former Senior Vice President of Product Development, Radio Flyer, 2014 Winner

“This award means a tremendous amount to us and it's going to make a real impact for students and families experiencing homelessness.”

—Tonya Rice, Former Board President, Chicago HOPES for Kids, 2020 Winner

Know an innovation worth celebrating?

There is no fee to nominate, and we encourage organizations to self-nominate.

Nominate by July 31, 2026