Think you’re a trailblazer in tech? Prove it

... by entering the Tech Trailblazer awards...

Promo If you’re a young tech startup just itching for recognition, you should probably know that you have just 17 days to get your entry in for the 2016 Tech Trailblazers awards.

This set of virtual awards doesn’t aim to reward the fluffy or the shiny. Over the last six years, they’ve honoured innovation in the sort of areas that underpin real world business tech.

That’s why the 11 categories span areas such as big data, cloud, IoT, virtualization, storage, and security. Not that it’s a personality-free zone. Two individual awards have been debuted this year - Female and Male Tech Trailblazer of the Year - aimed at senior execs in these trailblazing startups excelling in the key areas of innovation, diversity, agility and leadership.

So you can see why it’s a natural fit for The Register to be a media partner for the 2016 Tech Trailblazers. We love innovation that actually helps our readers do their jobs.

The early bird entry is already over, but the regular entry date is September 8. There is a cost to enter, but it varies depending on the nature of your company and won’t come in at more than $295.

Oh, and remember you need to be a company that’s less than six years old, privately funded, or at C-series stage. With a great idea, of course.

There's also a Firestarter bursary for very early stage (two years and younger and without VC backing) startups.

After that it’s down to our wide-ranging, and very experienced panel of judges. They’ll be working through your entries as soon as the game comes down, to produce a shortlist some time in October. After that, it’s down to the public vote - and what could be more thrilling that testing your self-belief against the public’s belief in you.

The esteemed winners are announced in the New Year.

It’s as simple as that - and let’s face it, you’ve done the hardest part already, by putting your ideas into practice in the first place.

If you need some guidance on how to craft a winning entry, check out this guide by head judge Stephen O’Donnell [PDF].

So don’t just wait for the world to recognise your brilliance. Head to the website, craft your entry, and get blazing. ®