ScotlandIS seeks entries for 2026 digital tech awards

ScotlandIS has issued a final call for entries for its Digital Technology Awards 2026 after extending the submission deadline to Tuesday, 13 January.

The awards programme is now in its 16th year and sits within ScotlandIS's work as a membership and cluster management body for Scotland's digital technologies industry. The organisation said the awards focus on innovation and impact across the sector.

ScotlandIS said the 2026 awards include 11 categories. It also introduced a new category, AI Trailblazer, for organisations using artificial intelligence in business and industry.

New category

ScotlandIS said the AI Trailblazer award recognises organisations that use artificial intelligence to drive innovation and deliver measurable impact across business and industry. The other categories span areas such as public sector innovation, cyber, managed IT services, and awards for start-ups, scale-ups and larger firms.

The full list of categories for 2026 includes: Tech for Good, Service Innovation, Product Innovation, AI Trailblazer, Cyber Excellence, Public Sector Innovation, Outstanding IT Managed Service Provider, Digital Tech Rising Star, Start-Up Digital Tech Business of the Year, Scale-Up Digital Tech Business of the Year, and Enterprise Digital Tech Business of the Year.

Nicola Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at ScotlandIS, described recent trading conditions for businesses and pointed to strengths within Scotland's technology community.

"The past few years have tested businesses in ways few could have anticipated. Yet time and again, our tech sector has shown resilience, creativity and optimism in the face of uncertainty. While we might be small in size, Scotland has so much to shout about, especially when it comes to our AI, cyber security and space technology communities.

"Awards like these play a vital role in shining a spotlight on the incredible innovation taking place right across the country. Scotland produces world-class digital technology talent, and we want to make sure those success stories are seen, celebrated and shared," said Taylor.

Who can enter

ScotlandIS said it welcomes entries from companies and individuals across Scotland's technology sector. This includes early-stage firms, scaling businesses and established organisations. It also said individuals at the start of their digital careers can participate.

Taylor said the organisation wants to see entries beyond the main urban centres in Scotland.

"We know that Scotland's tech strengths stretch far beyond our major cities," said Taylor. "From rural and island communities to emerging regional hubs, there is outstanding work happening in software, data, AI, cyber security and digital services. These awards are about recognising that breadth of talent and the impact it is having at home and internationally."

Judging process

ScotlandIS mentioned that an independent panel of judges from across the digital technologies sector will assess entries. The organisation said it will announce a shortlist ahead of the awards ceremony.

The event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Sector backdrop

ScotlandIS positioned the awards within a sector that it says has significant economic weight in Scotland. The organisation said Scotland's digital technologies industry employs more than 70,000 people and that its members employ about 60,000 people. ScotlandIS also said its members contribute about £3.9bn to Scotland's GVA.

More broadly, ScotlandIS said Scotland's digital tech sector contributes about £6.87bn to Scotland's GVA and that digital technologies roles across the Scottish economy account for around 100,000 workers. It said the average annual salary of digital tech workers is £37,000, which is 28% higher than the average salary of all workers in Scotland.

The organisation also cited growth and labour market figures. It noted Scotland's digital tech sector grows 1.5 times faster than the overall economy and that the sector is Scotland's fourth strongest export sector. ScotlandIS said 15,600 digital tech job opportunities are created every year in Scotland and that filling all of them would add £1bn to Scotland's GVA.

ScotlandIS disclosed that the awards have support from category sponsors, including Kick ICT, QA and the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit.

Applications close on 13 January 2026.