2026 Factory Innovation Awards: Gold | Silver | BronzeThe Pitch Competition #FIAward: Verdict, Winners, and What Matters Most
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The winners were honored at Hannover Messe – one of the world’s leading platforms for industrial innovation – providing a high-visibility stage for breakthrough technologies, entrepreneurship, and engineering excellence. The upcoming issue FI 3-2026 will showcase the winning solutions in detail, including key highlights, contextual insights, and a transparent account of the jury’s decisions, outlining criteria and rationale behind each selection.
The award reflects a genuine competitive ethos: it is independent, transparent, and merit-based. For participating companies, it delivers tangible value through enhanced visibility, substantive jury feedback, and strengthened team engagement.
For those unable to attend, comprehensive coverage is available, including category overviews, pitch presentations, and a full recording of the awards ceremony.
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#FIAward Champions 2026
The 2026 Innovation Award winners are now confirmed!
Manufacturing smart factory champions
GOLD in Future‑ready training for the Smart Factory (End User): Siemens Gerätewerk Amberg
GOLD in Digital Transformation in the Factory (End User): tesa Werk Hamburg GmbH
SILBER in Digital Transformation in the Factory (End User): ZF Friedrichshafen
Smart Factory Suppliers
GOLD in Digitaler Zwilling (Supplier): Robert Bosch GmbH
GOLD in Artificial Intelligence in the Factory (Supplier): PSI Software SE
GOLD in Nachhaltigkeit in der Fabrik (Supplier): Industrial Application Software GmbH
GOLD in Digitale Transformation der Fabrik (Supplier): engomo GmbH
SILVER in Künstliche Intelligenz (Supplier): QAD Europe GmbH
SILVER in MES / MOM (Supplier): GRÜN GQM GmbH
BRONZE in Edge und Cloud Computing in the Production (Supplier): Red Hat
BRONZE in Manufacturing BI und Analytics (Supplier): Forterro Deutschland Abas GmbH
BRONZE in Connectivity and Interfaces (Supplier): it-motive AG
BRONZE in Connectivity and Interfaces (Supplier): Forcam Enisco GmbH
Research Institutions
GOLD in Start-up Award (Research): Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT
GOLD in Connectivity and Interfaces (Research): August-Wilhelm Scheer Institut
SILVER in Artificial Intelligence (Research): Junior Professorship AI – Potsdam University
Training Institutions
GOLD in Smart Factory in Practice (Training): Industrial Transformation Lab
Audience Choice Award
Worker Assistance Systems (Research): Chair of Information Systems, Potsdam University
The teams from GITO Media and the HANNOVER MESSE warmly congratulate all the winners! View the Categories in the Online Pitch.
About #FIAward
The Factory Innovation Award competition is one of the most eminent smart factory software awards in Europe. Participants compete in a public online pitch, presenting their solutions live to both the audience and a jury, and then face the jury’s critical questions. The format is free to attend, fully transparent, and ensures equal opportunities for all – audience members can also ask questions. Based on the total score achieved, a 16‑member jury decides who receives gold, silver, bronze, or no award.
The Factory Innovation Award is organized by GITO Media – Berlin (organizer), Hannover Messe 2026 (Event Partner), dem University of Potsdam (Scientific Partner), Potsdam Consulting (Advisory Partner), Naldera (Strategie Partner), and FACTORY INNOVATION (media partner).
Eligible Participants
• Suppliers: Software Solutions
• Users: Companies that have successfully implemented smart factory solutions
• Research Institutions: Cutting-edge factory software solutions
• Training Institutions: Innovative training offers and methods and Learning Factories
You would like to compete 2027?
Contact GITO
now to secure your pitch slot.
The same public online pitch format is also offered for ERP solutions.
Register here
Further Links
Meet the Jury
Factory Innovation Award 2025
GITO Hall of Fame
Any questions? Get in touch with us.
