Digital Tech 2026 - ScotlandIS

19.03.2026

Glasgow

Applications open

Applications are now open for the Digital Tech Awards 2026

Take a look at all the categories and enter below.

Make sure you submit before the closing date of Thursday 8th January 2026.

The ScotlandIS Digital Technology Awards showcase excellence within the industry rewarding the innovation, expertise and ambition of businesses large and small – and the people that drive them.
Let’s highlight some of the great achievements within the tech sector over the last 12 months – nominate your organisation or an individual for the chance to be recognised amongst your peers.
There are a variety of different awards up for grabs that could shine a light on the fantastic work you’ve been doing, and all the criteria for each category is detailed below so you can prepare your application answers in advance.
Digital Tech 2026 will take place on 19th March, at the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow. We look forward to you joining us for a night of food, fun and celebration of the industry.

If you have any questions about the Digital Tech Awards, please contact catriona.blair@scotlandis.com.

check out the
Award categories

Are you our next winner?

Tech for Good

This category looks to recognise companies that, in the last 12 to 18 months, diverted resources from their business as usual to other projects bringing benefit to the world.

The judges would welcome applications that include, but are not limited to, tech for safety/security, tech for health or tech for societal benefit.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- What did you want to achieve?
- What did you do?
- Why did you do this instead of something else?
- What did you achieve?
- Was there any additional impact above and beyond?

Service Innovation

This category can be entered by any company that has developed a service in the last 12 to 18 months that can be viewed as innovative or disruptive. We are looking to recognise the very best achievements in harnessing the power of digital to secure a clear market success.

The judges will want to understand the strategy behind the creation of the successful service, and to know where it is headed long-term. The service being nominated for this award must be an operating service with a proven customer base.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- What is the service you have created?
- Why? What was the market need?
- How did you do it?
- Tell us about your results – sales increases, market share, new customers and/or markets.
- Why do you think it’s the most innovative or disruptive?

Product Innovation

This category can be entered by any company that has developed a product in the last 12 to 18 months, that can be viewed as innovative or disruptive. We are looking to recognise the very best achievements in harnessing the power of digital to secure a clear market success.

The judges will want to understand the strategy behind the creation of the successful product, and to know where it is headed long-term. The product being nominated for this award must be a working product with a proven customer base.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- What is the product you have created?
- Why? What was the market need?
- How did you do it?
- Tell us about your results – sales increases, market share, new customers and/or markets.
- Why do you think it’s the most innovative or disruptive?

AI Trailblazer

The AI Trailblazer Award celebrates organisations who have harnessed the power of AI in the past year to deliver genuine transformation.

Whether through boosting business performance, enhancing operations, strengthening client relationships, or creating new products and services, this award recognises those leading the way in using AI to innovate and create measurable impact.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- What was the new business opportunity or process that was created or transformed through the use of AI?
- How did you apply AI to address this challenge or opportunity? Describe the approach, technologies, or models used.
- Why do you consider this approach innovative or disruptive within your industry?
- What measurable results were achieved through your AI solution? Include business outcomes such as revenue growth, cost savings, operational efficiency, customer impact, or new products/services.
- How will this AI innovation continue to benefit your organisation or clients in the future?

Cyber Excellence

This award recognises cybersecurity companies that have developed/adopted ground-breaking solutions, or created a product that has effectively integrated people, process or technology that significantly enhances the ability to defend, disrupt, or support organisations in preventing, responding to or recovering from cyber-attacks.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- Describe the solution or product you developed, focusing on how it integrates people, process and technology.
- Explain the inspiration and process behind the development of your solution or product.
- Explain why your solution is innovative and pioneering within the cybersecurity landscape.
- Provide evidence of your product's success, including sales increases, market share growth, new customer acquisitions, improved cyber security posture.

Public Sector Innovation

This award looks to recognise a company that has worked in partnership with suppliers to create an outcome for public good.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- What was the time scale of the project: when did it start and finish or is it ongoing?
- Tell us about the outcomes and how you measured the success.
- How did you guide the public sector team through the change?
- What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
- What was the impact – how did people respond to the result?
- What makes this innovative?

Outstanding IT Managed Service Provider

This award recognises and honours managed service providers that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and impact on customer service.

The judges are looking for an organisation that can demonstrate high quality, reliable managed services and can show how they have consistently met/exceeded client expectations.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- Detail how the company has exhibited leadership through driving organisational growth/success, enhancing employee engagement and/or improving company culture.
- Describe how the company develops solutions by integrating people, process and technology.
- Provide evidence of the company’s success such as sales increases, new customer acquisitions, improved staff satisfaction.
- What sets you apart from your competitors? What makes you different to other service providers?

Digital Tech Rising Star

Our judges want to recognise someone who is early in their career within a digital tech role but showing real skill already. We want to shine a light on early career talent and the leaders of tomorrow.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- Name of the person you are nominating.
- Email address of the person you are nominating (so we can contact them if they're successful).
- Do they know you have nominated them?
- Tell us why you are nominating them.

Digital Tech Business of the year - Start-Up

The first of three 'Business of the Year' awards, the Start-up award is open to any type of tech company that is under 4 years old, with the winner being the business that most impresses the judges with their commercial success and growth for their size.

The business will be demonstrably well-managed, produce outstanding technology products or services – and above all has outstanding long-term growth potential.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- Is your business under 4 years old?
- What measurable evidence can you share of your commercial success and growth to date (e.g. revenue growth, market share, expansion, customer acquisition, or investment secured)?
- What makes your business stand out from competitors or peers in your market? Please provide concrete examples (e.g. unique products/services, customer outcomes, market positioning).
- Demonstrate that your success is sustainable long term.
- Who are your customers, and what evidence can you provide of your impact on them (e.g. customer numbers, retention rates, satisfaction, testimonials, or case studies)?

Digital Tech Business of the year - Scale-Up

The second 'Business of the Year' awards is for Scale-Up companies that have fewer than 100 staff, with the winner being the business that most impresses the judges with their commercial success and growth.

The business will be demonstrably well-managed, produce outstanding technology products or services – and above all has outstanding long-term growth potential.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- Is your business over 4 years old with fewer than 100 staff?
- What measurable evidence can you share of your commercial success and growth to date (e.g. revenue growth, market share, expansion, customer acquisition, or investment secured)?
- What makes your business stand out from competitors or peers in your market? Please provide concrete examples (e.g. unique products/services, customer outcomes, market positioning).
- Demonstrate that your success is sustainable long term.
- Who are your customers, and what evidence can you provide of your impact on them (e.g. customer numbers, retention rates, satisfaction, testimonials, or case studies)?

Digital Tech Business of the year - Enterprise

The final 'Business of the Year' award is the Enterprise award, open to any type of company with more than 100 staff, with the winner being the business that most impresses the judges with their commercial success and growth.

The business will be demonstrably well-managed, produce outstanding technology products or services – and above all has outstanding long-term growth potential.

To enter, all you need to do is tell us:

- Does your business have 100+ staff?
- What measurable evidence can you share of your commercial success and growth to date (e.g. revenue growth, market share, expansion, customer acquisition, or investment secured)?
- What makes your business stand out from competitors or peers in your market? Please provide concrete examples (e.g. unique products/services, customer outcomes, market positioning).
- Demonstrate that your success is sustainable long term.
- Who are your customers, and what evidence can you provide of your impact on them (e.g. customer numbers, retention rates, satisfaction, testimonials, or case studies)?

Find out what's in store

Read about last
year's winners

Tickets

Connect with tremendous individuals and organisations that are leading in their field for innovation, growth and bettering the wider society.

Join us to celebrate the high calibre of Scotland's tech scene.

Member:
Ticket

From

£110

drinks reception

2 course meal

awards ceremony

MEMBEr:
TABLE

From

£850

Table of eight

drinks
Reception

2 Course Meal

Awards ceremony

Non-Member: Ticket

From

£125

drinks reception

2 course meal

awards ceremony

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors

Looking for the opportunity to boost your brand visibility and establish yourself among the best and brightest of the Scottish tech scene? Sponsoring Digital Tech Awards 2026 can help you do just that!

Running for almost fifteen years, the Awards attract the innovative up-and-coming stars of the tech landscape, to the hugely successful, established players.

By becoming a sponsor, you’ll get the chance to align your brand to this incredible audience, and show your unwavering support for the growth and success of the Scottish tech community. Title Sponsor will have the opportunity to give a welcome address, and Awards Sponsors introduce each award on stage and present them to the winners.

Take a look at our sponsorship opportunities for Digital Tech 2026, or get in touch with catriona.blair@scotlandis.com.

frequently asked questions

Does my company need to have a scottish base (or scottish clients)?

Yes

Who can make a nomination?

The awards are open to any person or company who have a base in Scotland and work within the digital space.

IS THERE ANY COST INVOLVED IN APPLYING?

Nope, it’s completely free to enter. The only cost involved is the cost of attending the Awards dinner if you are shortlisted. For members a table of 8 is £850+VAT and for non-members £1000+VAT. An individual ticket is £110+VAT for members and £125+VAT for non-members.

HOW DO I ENTER?

Easy, complete the online application form by the deadline of 5pm on Thursday 8th January 2026. You will continue to be able to view your application and amend or update it until the deadline.

CAN I ENTER BY POST OR EMAIL?

No unfortunately not, entries must be submitted using our online application form.

CAN I APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE AWARD?

Yes, you can apply for as many categories as you like.

WHAT FORMAT SHOULD SUPPORTING INFORMATION BE?

PDF, jpg, or docx – and less than 2MB.

WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON MY SUBMISSION?

Due to the overwhelming number of applications we receive, we will try to provide feedback where possible to unsuccessful applicants but we cannot guarantee this. When shortlisted applicants are announced, we will reveal the reasons they were shortlisted.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ENTRY?

Try to bear the following tips in mind when completing the online entry form:

Make sure that you have answered all the questions as fully as possible.
Ensure that you show clearly how your nomination meets the criteria defined for this award category. Keep your entry concise and focused.
Do not exceed the maximum word count. The judges will be looking for tangible evidence to support your entry.
Please supply examples, testimonials or feedback where possible. Only submit supporting evidence if it helps to support your success.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I’VE SUBMITTED MY ENTRY?

All nominations are kept confidential until the judging panel sits. We will then write to all those who were nominated or who submitted nominations to advise them whether or not they were shortlisted. The submission document will provide the basis for shortlisting entrants where a final decision will be made on the winning entry. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony on Thursday 19th March 2026. Please ensure a representative of the nominated company will be available to attend the ceremony in Glasgow on this date, in order to receive their award if successful. The finalists and winners will be selected by an independent panel made up of experts. ScotlandIS staff do not sit on the panel and have no influence on the panel’s decisions.

HOW CAN I ATTEND THE AWARDS?

All shortlisted companies and individuals will be invited to attend the awards at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, with tables and individual tickets available for purchase.

Is there a dress code?

Dress code is business casual.

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE OF THE AWARDS DINNER?

Drinks reception and registration starts at 5:30pm and runs until 6:30pm, when we are called for dinner. A welcome address from ScotlandIS CEO Karen Meechan is followed by a two-course dinner, and another short comfort break before the awards ceremony begins just before 9pm.

The event ends at 10:30pm, however the bar is open until midnight.