The organisers of Advanced Factories — one of the leading international events in advanced industrial technologies — have opened the call for the Advanced Factories Awards 2026. These awards recognise the most innovative solutions, projects and companies driving digital transformation, automation and sustainability across the industrial sector.
Scope: International — open to companies, organisations and projects from any country delivering significant advances in smart factory technologies, automation, digitalisation and sustainable industrial models.
What are the Advanced Factories Awards?
The Advanced Factories Awards are linked to the Advanced Factories congress and exhibition, which annually gathers leaders, technology providers, innovators and decision-makers focused on solutions for the industry of the future.
The awards aim to showcase and recognise real success stories, transformative technologies and projects shaping the direction of Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing.
Such recognition strengthens both corporate reputation and the adoption of technologies that enhance competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability in industrial processes.
Categories and areas of innovation
The call for entries is typically structured around strategic areas aligned with modern industrial challenges (based on previous editions and standard criteria), including:
- Automation and robotics
- Process digitalisation and digital twins
- Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics
- Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
- Industrial cybersecurity
- Sustainability and energy efficiency technologies
- Additive manufacturing solutions (3D printing)
- Digital transformation of operations
These categories reflect how industry is embracing technologies that enable not only greater productivity, but also more resilient, sustainable and adaptable manufacturing systems.
Who can participate?
The call is open to:
- Technology companies and industrial solution providers
- Tech start-ups developing automation, digitalisation or industrial sustainability solutions
- Corporate innovation teams leading significant industrial implementations
- Research and technology centres with projects applied to industrial scaling
The awards therefore attract a diverse mix of profiles representing the full Industry 4.0 ecosystem — from mature industrial solutions to emerging innovations.
What are the benefits of participating?
Taking part in the Advanced Factories Awards offers:
- International visibility before industrial leaders, decision-makers and potential clients
- Sector recognition strengthening brand or project reputation
- Networking opportunities with key players in the industrial technology ecosystem
- Presentation of success cases within a specialised professional environment
In addition, the awards ceremony typically includes editorial coverage and communication opportunities during the main Advanced Factories event, further amplifying the impact of the recognised solutions.
Key dates to keep in mind
- All proposals must be submitted before 22 March 2026.
- Applicants will be notified of the results from 6 April 2026 onwards.
- The awards ceremony will take place on 6 May 2026 במסגרת Advanced Factories 2026 at FIRA Barcelona.