NEXT TECH Awards

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NC TECH, in partnership with Business North Carolina, launched the NEXT TECH Awards to showcase and celebrate North Carolina’s rising tech stars. NEXT TECH Awards will honor a selection of individuals who are critical and exceptional performers helping to grow our state’s tech and tech-enabled companies and organizations, but who — not being a c-suite executive — don’t often get recognized publicly. The awards honor contributors who go the extra mile, build products, grow revenue, support operations, and manage projects that propel businesses forward.

Thank you to those who submitted a nomination for the awards. The tremendous response resulted in a competitive selection process.

Winner Celebration

Congratulations to the 30 individuals below selected to be part of the 2026 class of NEXT TECH Award winners.  What all these individuals have in common is their exceptional business impacts, positive energy and attitude, and community engagement.

The 2026 Class of Winners will be celebrated during the NEXT TECH Awards Celebration on May 13 at the Durham Armory, in conjunction with NC TECH's signature event TechFest North Carolina, and profiled in the June issue of Business North Carolina.

For details and to register for the celebration, visit the link below.

Celebration Registration

NEXT TECH Awards

Winner Celebration

Winners

Thank You Sponsors

Presenting

Category

Rising Star Supporter

Award Questions + Sponsorship