Best of Tech Awards turn 20 as Cleveland looks to what's next

The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) named winners in five categories Sept. 14 at the 20th annual Best of Tech Awards, held at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The milestone marked two decades of recognizing the companies, organizations and innovators building Northeast Ohio's technology economy, a program that has drawn more than 100 finalists since it began. Most of this year's agenda looked ahead, with breakout sessions on emerging technology, artificial intelligence (AI) hiring and startup formation, followed by a panel on the technology behind Cleveland's professional sports teams.

By the numbers

• 20 years of Best of Tech Awards
• 100-plus finalists recognized over the program's history
• 5 award categories in 2026
• 3 winners named in each category
• 3 breakout sessions focused on the region's next five years
• 3 professional sports franchises represented on the closing panel

The 2026 winners

The early stage and startups category, for emerging companies bringing new ideas and technologies to Greater Cleveland, went to Augment Therapy, CLEANR, and Crab Line Robotics together with the Applied BioRobotics Lab.

The education and training category, for organizations creating pathways into the technology industry and building the region's talent pipeline, went to DigitalC, the Cleveland Institute of Art Interactive Media Lab and SmarterX.

Winners among small to middle market technology companies, recognized for growth and impact in the region and beyond, were CHAMP Titles, Moreland Connect and BlueBridge Networks.

The category for companies and organizations embracing tech for growth, which honors businesses using technology to improve operations and open new opportunities, recognized Park Place Technologies, the Cleveland Museum of Art and The MetroHealth System.

The final category honored tech community groups and ecosystem amplifiers that connect people and strengthen the region's broader technology community: Bounce Innovation Hub, Sears think[box] and Cleveland Tech Week.

Looking ahead

Three breakout sessions covered the technologies likely to shape the next five years, how employers can win the race for AI talent, and what it will take to build Cleveland's next generation of startups.

The day closed with the people who run technology for Cleveland's three professional sports teams sharing a stage. Game Changers: The Technology Powering Cleveland Sports brought together the Guardians' Neil Weiss, the Cavaliers' Conor Kenney and the Browns' Brandon Covert, moderated by Felicia Johnson, founder of Future Forward Intelligence Group.

Their conversation ranged from the fan experience to how teams train, compete and care for their athletes. Kenney pointed to the Cavaliers' new performance center, describing how the facility will use technology to support player health, training and performance.

In a video marking the anniversary, Jennie Zamberlan, president and CEO of Avantia Inc., recalled a period when Cleveland did not register as a technology hub.

"We are changing that narrative," she said.