Get ready to celebrate and honor the brightest tech stars in the Southern Piedmont region at our awards banquet!

Welcome to the Southern Piedmont Technology Stars Awards Banquet! Join us at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research for a night of celebration and recognition. This in-person event will honor the brightest minds in technology across the Southern Piedmont region. Come network with industry leaders, enjoy a delicious dinner, and applaud the winners of these prestigious awards. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow tech enthusiasts and celebrate the achievements of our technology stars.

Nominations

 

Nominations for the 2026 Innovation Stars Awards are now open! Submit your nominee by September 4.

 

Award Guidelines
  • Must be a resident or business/organization located in the Southern Piedmont region: Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax, and Mecklenburg counties and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
  • Membership in the SPTC not required for nominee or nominator.
  • Feel free to work closely with nominees to allow them the opportunity to contribute to the nomination.
  • Self-nominations are welcome and names of those that made a nomination are not published. 
  • Read the narratives for our previous award winners below
  • The judges reserve the right to move nominations from one category to another.
Award Categories

Chairman’s Award
The Chairman’s Award is our most prestigious award. It is awarded to an individual or organization that has shown visionary leadership to promote technology in the Southern Piedmont region. This award is nominated by the SPTC board.

Innovation in Technology – Small business (50 employees or less)
The Innovation in Technology Small Business Award is awarded to a company with 50 employees or less that demonstrates excellence in technological innovation.

Innovation in Technology – Large business (Above 50 employees)
The Innovation in Technology Large Business Award is awarded to a company with above 50 employees that demonstrates excellence in technological innovation.

Innovation in Education, Government or Community Outreach
The Innovation in Education, Government or Community Outreach award is awarded to an organization that develops innovative uses of technology to promote and enhance educational opportunities, governmental excellence, community outreach or displays innovative use of technology to deliver services, advance their mission, or impact the community.

Innovation in Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurial Innovation Honor is awarded to an entrepreneurial company* that demonstrates excellence in technological innovation.  

Rising Star
The Rising Star Award is awarded to an individual with a new idea or initiative, or a new business that has made a significant impact on the region utilizing or enabling technology.

Student Innovator
The Student Innovation Awards is awarded to a high school or full-time college student that has shown leadership in technology. High school student must attend a school in SPTC service region. College students must be from the SPTC service region. 

*Entrepreneurial company = in business for 1-3 years

 

Please click the link below for more information about our banquet including:

  • Past Keynote Speaker(s)
  • Location
  • Time
  • Awards
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Etc.

Innovation Stars Banquet Details

2025 Winners

Virginia’s Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials (AM²) Tech Hub– Chairman’s Award
Pittsylvania County Schools Rooftop Solar – Innovation in Education, Government, and Community Outreach Award
Southside Tech Services – Innovation in Entrepreneurship Award
Aerial Machine & Tool – Innovation in Technology – Small Business Award
Microsoft – Innovation in Technology – Large Business Award
Rachel Cubbage – Rising Star Award
New College Institute’s STAGS Robotics Team – Student Innovator Award

Tickets

2026 Banquet Tickets on sale here in September.

Sponsorship

Our banquet would not be possible without the support from our sponsors. Sponsorship will provide your organization with more visibility during the event. You will receive recognition in the presentation, marketing materials, and on the website.

To purchase a sponsorship online, select your level below and click Pay Now after being directed to PayPal select Pay with Debit or Credit Card.

To receive an invoice and pay with a check, complete the Sponsorship – Mail in Payment form. 

Sponsorship Levels

Dinner Sponsor – $3,000.00

  • Premier recognition on the presentation screens during the reception and dinner
  • Reserved table with eight seats near the stage
  • Name and logo in the program as a Platinum sponsor
  • Have your name and logo on the website and printed materials
  • If desired, welcome at dinner (includes: introduction of speaker or appropriate role)

Reception Sponsor – $2,000.00

  • Premier recognition on the presentation screens during the reception and dinner
  • Reserved table with eight seats near the stage
  • Name and logo in the program as a Platinum sponsor
  • Have your name and logo on the website and printed materials
  • If desired, welcome at the reception

Platinum Sponsor – $ 1500.00

  • Premier recognition on the presentation screens during the reception and dinner
  • Reserved table with eight seats near the stage
  • Name and logo in the program as a Platinum sponsor
  • Have your name and logo on the website and printed materials

Gold Sponsor – $ 1000.00

  • Premier recognition on the presentation screen during dinner
  • Reserved table with six seats
  • Name and logo in the program as a Gold sponsor
  • Have your name and logo on the website and printed materials

Silver Sponsor – $ 500.00

  • Recognition on the presentation screen during dinner
  • Reserved table with four seats
  • Name and logo in the program as a Silver sponsor
  • Have your name and logo on the website and printed materials

Bronze Sponsor – $ 250.00

  • Recognition on the presentation screen during dinner
  • Two banquet seats at a reserved table
  • Name and logo in the program as a Bronze sponsor
  • Have your name and logo on the website and printed materials

Friends of the SPTC – $100.00

  • Name and logo in the program as a Friend of the SPTC


cards

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