The Recap: Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Awards 2026

The Tech Innovation Awards 2026, hosted by BNC Publishing and Entrepreneur Middle East, brought together some of the region’s leading entrepreneurs, technology companies, innovators, and industry pioneers at Al Habtoor Palace in Dubai.

Held on September 17, 2026, the annual event recognized the individuals and organizations turning ambitious ideas into practical solutions and contributing to the development of the MENA region’s technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The event was supported by Virtuzone, in5, The Impression, Lucidity Insights, Numai, Canama and BusinessToday.ME.

Here is the complete list of winners from the Tech Innovation Awards 2026:

All images courtesy Farooq Salik/BNC Publishing.

ECOSYSTEM HUB OF THE YEAR – DTEC

OPEN SOURCE AI INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – SUSE

STARTUP OF THE YEAR – CUSP

BEST USE OF GENERATIVE AI – EXOTEL

DIGITAL FINANCE INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR– UEB3

BEST DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION – CHAT360

BEST AI-POWERED CORPORATE SERVICES PROVIDER – VIRTUZONE

BEST ISLAMIC BUSINESS SOLUTION – EMIRATES ISLAMIC BANK

FINTECH STARTUP OF THE YEAR – ABHI

BEST INNOVATION IN SPORT – SMASHI SPORTS / AUGUSTUS MEDIA

PROPTECH COMPANY OF THE YEAR – BAYUT

AI DISRUPTOR OF THE YEAR – HOLLYWOOD.AI & BOLLYWOOD.AI

ONLINE MARKETPLACE OF THE YEAR – dubizzle

BEST PAYMENT SOLUTION PROVIDER – e& MONEY

MEDIATECH INNOVATION OF THE YEAR – LEDSGO

SMART MOBILITY SOLUTION OF THE YEAR – MICROPOLIS ROBOTICS

BEST FINTECH INNOVATION – FUNDEDNEXT

AI FILM PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR – ANYFILM.AI

PHYSICAL AI R&D EXCELLENCE AWARD – AHOY TROUVE LABS

AI INNOVATION IN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY – AUTO MILLENNIUM

DIGITAL INVESTMENT INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – ZAD

INSURTECH COMPANY OF THE YEAR – QATAR GENERAL INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE

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