IDnext is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the Innovation Award 2026, recognizing the most groundbreaking developments shaping the future of digital identity.
This award celebrates innovative projects, concepts, services, and products that push the boundaries of what digital identity can achieve – from technological breakthroughs and new business models to solutions that deliver real impact for organizations, citizens, and society while safeguarding privacy.
If you are working on – or know of – a pioneering initiative in this field, we warmly encourage you to submit a nomination.
Recognizing Innovation That Matters
Digital identity plays a critical role in today’s increasingly connected world. The Innovation Award highlights solutions that not only advance technology, but also build trust, empower users, and enable secure digital interactions at scale.
Submissions will be evaluated by an independent professional jury based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: breakthrough technology and/or business model
- Success and impact: demonstrated achievements and future potential
- Privacy: positive privacy implications and thoughtful implementation
- End-user value: tangible benefits for users and stakeholders
From all submissions, three finalists will be selected to present their solutions live. The jury will then deliberate and announce the winner on the same evening, making the final stage a dynamic and inspiring competition.
Why Nominate an Innovation?
Nomination offers organizations and project teams a unique opportunity to:
- Gain visibility and recognition within the global digital identity community
- Present their innovation to senior decision-makers and industry leaders
- Build valuable connections with peers, partners, and potential clients
- Demonstrate thought leadership in a rapidly evolving domain
Over the years, the Innovation Award has recognized a wide range of impactful initiatives – from decentralized identity frameworks and privacy-enhancing technologies to explainable AI solutions and large-scale trust infrastructures.
Celebrating a Strong Legacy of Winners
Previous winners include organizations such as Credo, the OpenID Foundation, eHerkenning, the Dutch Blockchain Coalition, and DuckDuckGoose. Their work spans self-sovereign identity ecosystems, global interoperability standards, secure authentication frameworks, and advanced deepfake detection – illustrating the breadth and importance of innovation in this field.
These award-winning initiatives have helped shape today’s digital identity landscape and continue to influence how trust, security, and privacy are implemented worldwide.
Award Ceremony at the Innovation Award Dinner
The winner of the Innovation Award 2026 will be announced during an exclusive gala dinner on 14 April 2026 at the Vuursche Lodge in Baarn, the Netherlands.
This event brings together senior leaders, policymakers, innovators, and experts from across the digital identity ecosystem for an inspiring afternoon and evening of knowledge sharing, networking, and celebration.
The programme includes live finalist pitches, a moderated talk show with leading voices from the field, a five-course dinner designed to encourage meaningful interaction, and an informal networking reception to conclude the evening.
Claim your ticket for the Innovation Award Dinner
Submit Your Nomination
Do you have an innovation that deserves international recognition – or do you know a project that is making a real difference?
We invite you to submit your nomination and help spotlight the ideas and solutions that will shape the future of digital identity.
Join us in celebrating innovation, strengthening trust, and advancing the digital identity ecosystem worldwide.
