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Celebrating 50 years of Australian innovation excellence in the Bay Area. 

Presented at the 2026 Australian Gala alongside the Ambassador Bill Lane "Spirit of Australia" Award.


With thanks to our Innovation Awards sponsors:





Since 2017, the Innovation Awards have celebrated the exceptional individuals and companies driving Australian innovation in the Bay Area. As we commemorate the 50th Australian Gala in San Francisco, we're expanding our recognition to honor both historic contributions and today's innovators shaping the future.

Award Categories

1 Australian Innovation Excellence

Recognizing an Australian individual or company based in the Bay Area that demonstrates exceptional innovation and measurable market impact.

2 US-Australian Expansion

Honoring an American individual or company based in the Bay Area that has successfully established or expanded their presence in Australia in the past 12 months, bringing new innovation to the Australian market.

3 Lifetime Achievement in Australian Innovation New for 2026

Celebrating an Australian individual or company that has made an exceptional contribution to innovation over the last 50 years, fostering connections between the Bay Area and Australian innovation ecosystems.

Submission Guidelines

  • Entries can be self-nominated or nominated by a third party
  • Each submission must clearly address the criteria in no more than 1,000 words
  • Entrants may attach photos, demos, or prototypes to support their submission
  • Nominees are required to have a physical presence in the Bay Area

Judging Panel

Submissions will be assessed by a distinguished panel of judges:

Sharmaine Ramasamy
President and Founder, Ramasamy Consulting LLC
Alan Watters
Head of Innovation Banking, HSBC Australia and New Zealand
Julia French
Partner, Galileo Ventures
Philip W. Braddock
Head of Atlassian for Startups
Michael Brett
Worldwide Go-To-Market Strategy Lead, Quantum Technologies, AWS

Ready to Nominate?

Submit your nomination for the 2026 AACC Innovation Awards

NOMINATE HERE

Nominations close January 9, 2026.


Past Winners

2025 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Al Ramadan
Innovation Award Australian Company: Q-CTRL
Innovation Award US Company: PsiQuantum

2024 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Fabion Kauker
Innovation Award Australian Company: Reflow

2023 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Kevin Gosschalk
Innovation Award Australian Company: Skedulo
Innovation Award US Company: LeoLabs

2020 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Dr. Harris Eyre
Innovation Award Australian Company: Culture Amp
Innovation Award US Company: Industrial Light and Magic

2019 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Tessa Forshaw
Innovation Award Australian Company: Tiny
Innovation Award US Company: Next Door

2018 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Al Ramadan
Innovation Award Australian Company: Q-CTRL
Innovation Award US Company: PsiQuantum

2017 Australian Gala Winners

Innovation Award Individual: Andrew Tanner
Innovation Award Australian Company: Nuheara

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