Edison Awards 40th Anniversary Opens Global Nominations
The Edison Awards, established in 1987, has spent four decades honoring products that reshape daily life. On September 1, 2026, the organization opened nominations for its 40th anniversary cycle, inviting innovators worldwide to compete in the 2027 Edison Best New Product Awards.
From Garage to Global Stage
In 1987, recognizing breakthrough products as cultural landmarks was itself a novelty. Forty years later, the program reflects a different landscape: a five-person startup shares the same nomination platform as a Fortune 500 research and development powerhouse. The invitation is identical regardless of company size.
Early Bird nominations run from September 1 through October 15, 2026. The General nomination window opens October 16 and closes December 15, 2026. Winners will be revealed in March 2027. Eligible products must have launched between January 2025 and January 2027. Each submission is judged on three criteria: Concept, Value, and Impact.
Frank Bonafilia, CEO of the Edison Awards, frames the anniversary in terms of urgency. “Forty years ago, the Edison Awards set out to celebrate the innovators bold enough to reimagine what’s possible and that mission has only grown more urgent, and more global, with every passing year,” he said. [1] The program has expanded its reach across health, sustainability, mobility, and technology. The 40th year, Bonafilia notes, is a chance to recognize how far this global community has come and how much further it will go together.
Two New Honors for a Connected World
Two new categories join the 2027 program. The Global Excellence Award recognizes the best innovation across five regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
The Innovation at Scale Award honors work across the organizational spectrum, from Startup/Emerging companies with fewer than 10 employees to Global Enterprises with 5,000 or more.
The 2027 categories span Commercial Technology, Consumer Solutions, Critical Human Infrastructure, Cultural Impact & Education, Energy & Climate Resiliency, Engineering & Robotics, Health, Medical & Biotech, Lifestyle, Entertainment & Design, Manufacturing & Logistics, Materials Science, Public Safety, Security & Digital Integrity, Software Solutions, Transportation, Aerospace & Flight, and Water, Food & Agriculture.
The Legacy That Keeps Expanding
What began as a national honor has become an international benchmark. The organization offers global recognition, credibility, and connections that drive growth for winners.
Forty years ago, product innovation largely meant hardware and consumer goods. Today, the categories span software, medical biotechnology, climate resilience, and digital security.
The nomination portal at www.edisonawards.com serves as the entry point. The closing date of December 15, 2026, marks the end of the entry period. The March 2027 announcement will reveal the winners. .