ETIH Innovation Awards 2027 are back: 26 categories open for entries worldwide
The ETIH Innovation Awards return for 2027 with 26 categories, a new online entry platform and an expanded global programme recognising the companies, institutions, projects and people making a measurable impact across education technology
ETIH Innovation Awards are open for entries with 26 categories.
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2027 are officially open for entries, launching an expanded second year with 26 categories spanning AI in education, digital learning, higher education, skills and workforce, inclusion, operations, evidence and impact.
Following the inaugural awards in 2026, this year’s programme is broader in scope and global in reach, with entries invited from EdTech companies, institutions, projects and individuals around the world.
Entries opened on Monday 19 October 2026, with an early-bird deadline of Friday 18 December 2026 and a final entry deadline of Friday 26 February 2027 at 23:59 UK time.
Emma Cate Thompson, Director of Content at Paxton Media and Co-founder and Editor of ETIH, says: “The response to the first year of the awards showed us just how much ambitious and thoughtful work is happening across education technology globally.
“For 2027, we wanted to build something even stronger: more categories, broader opportunities to enter and a programme that gives organisations of different sizes and at different stages the chance to show what their work is achieving.
“What matters to us is not innovation for the sake of innovation. We want to recognise the technology, projects and people that can show why their work matters, how it is being used and what has changed as a result.”
26 categories across the EdTech landscape
The 2027 awards feature 26 categories covering a broad range of education technology markets, products, projects and use cases.
They span digital learning and teaching, AI in education, higher education technology, skills and workforce, school administration and operations, evidence and impact, regional and global reach, special needs and inclusive learning, startups and scale-ups, company awards and editorial recognition.
The expanded structure reflects the way EdTech now reaches across the wider education system, from classroom teaching and assessment to university infrastructure, workforce development, accessibility, operational systems and large-scale implementation.
Entries are open internationally, and organisations can enter more than one category where their work meets the relevant criteria. Previous entrants and winners are also eligible to return with qualifying entries.
Each category has its own judging criteria, with entrants expected to show more than a strong concept. Evidence of implementation, adoption, outcomes and impact will remain central to the assessment process.
Scott Thompson, Founder and Director of Paxton Media, the independent media group behind EdTech Innovation Hub (ETIH) and Retail Technology Innovation Hub (RTIH), says: “The strongest entries last year were the ones that could clearly connect the technology with the problem it was solving and the results it had delivered. That is something we want to build on in 2027.
“We want entries from across the market, from established global companies to startups, institutions and collaborative projects. Scale can look very different depending on the category. What matters is the quality of the work. We want to know the evidence behind it and the value it is creating for education.”
The full 2027 category list and individual judging criteria are available through the dedicated 2027 Categories page.
New platform for the 2027 awards
The second year of the ETIH Innovation Awards also introduces a new online entry platform. Entrants can create an account, choose the categories most relevant to their work, complete their submission online, save drafts and return to entries before submitting.
The move to a dedicated awards platform is designed to make the process clearer and easier to manage as the programme grows internationally.
A dedicated How to Enter guide provides step-by-step information about the submission process, while the Frequently Asked Questions page covers eligibility, multiple entries, joint submissions, evidence requirements and other key areas.
The 2027 judging panel has also expanded, bringing together expertise across education, EdTech, technology, leadership and industry alongside ETIH editorial representation. More judges will be announced over the coming weeks.
Entries will be assessed against the published criteria for each category, with judges reviewing the evidence submitted, the quality and relevance of the work, how it has been implemented and the results demonstrated.
Our 2027 sponsors
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2027 are proudly sponsored by Thesis SM, Bett UK and Retail Technology Innovation Hub (RTIH). We’re hugely grateful for their continued support of the awards and their commitment to recognising the people, companies and technologies making a meaningful impact across education.
Thesis SM
Sponsor of Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education
Thesis SM is a cloud-native Student Information System (SIS) purpose-built for higher education institutions across the UK, Ireland and Canada. Designed to span the entire student lifecycle, from application through to award, it offers a modern, secure and scalable platform that integrates with existing institutional systems.
Built with deep expertise in higher education, Thesis SM has been designed in close collaboration with the UK higher education sector, with a focus on meeting institutional, statutory and regulatory requirements while simplifying complex administrative processes.
Explaining why it is supporting Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education, Thesis SM says:
“At Thesis SM, we’re passionate about supporting higher education institutions as they use technology to innovate, improve the student experience, and deliver better outcomes.
That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Best Use of EdTech in Higher Education award, celebrating the people and institutions using technology in meaningful and innovative ways to make a real difference across the sector. We’re delighted to partner with the EdTech Innovation Hub to recognise and champion the work shaping the future of higher education.
For us, sponsoring this award is about celebrating the power of technology in higher education and recognising the people and institutions turning innovative EdTech into positive, tangible change across the sector.”
Bett UK
Sponsor of EdTech Thought Leader of the Year
Bett UK is back for 2027 and set to be bolder than ever, bringing together 37,000+ trailblazers from across the globe, from visionary educators and EdTech pioneers to policy powerhouses and charities.
With 400+ world-class speakers and the energy of the global education community all under one roof, Bett UK brings together the people, ideas and conversations helping to drive better education globally.
Its role in bringing leading voices from across education and EdTech together makes EdTech Thought Leader of the Year a natural fit for Bett UK, recognising individuals helping to shape discussion, influence thinking and drive the sector forward.
Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Sponsor of Best Education Operations and Infrastructure Solution
Retail Technology Innovation Hub (RTIH) covers the technologies transforming retail, including AI, automation, infrastructure, operations, payments, supply chain, data and digital transformation.
Its coverage frequently explores how technology is being used to improve complex operations, increase efficiency and support organisations through digital transformation, making Best Education Operations and Infrastructure Solution a natural fit for the publication.
Commenting on its support for the category, RTIH says:
“At RTIH, we see every day how technology can transform the way organisations operate, from infrastructure and automation to data, communications and the systems that support people behind the scenes.
Education organisations face many of the same challenges, and we’re proud to sponsor the Best Education Operations and Infrastructure Solution award to recognise technology that is delivering practical, measurable improvements in how education environments work.”
Early-bird entries close 18 December
The first major deadline for the ETIH Innovation Awards 2027 is Friday 18 December 2026, when the early-bird entry period closes. The final deadline for all entries is Friday 26 February 2027 at 23:59 UK time.
Finalists will be announced on Monday 8 March 2027, followed by the final judging period from 8 to 26 March.
Winners will be announced online on Monday 12 April 2027.
The awards are run as a global, online-first programme, with official ETIH Innovation Awards digital assets provided to finalists and winners for use across websites, social media and communications.
With the 2027 programme now officially open, companies, institutions, projects and individuals can explore the categories, review the judging criteria and begin their submissions through the new awards platform.
