Tech Heroes are the exponents of a new economic and social reality. They are the companies that, under the motto 'adopt or die', have managed to create significant value in an increasingly erratic market dynamic. In fact, they are the companies that have helped drive digital progress. And that deserves recognition and an award. Top executives, IT leaders and digital transformation bosses like to look at organizations like Bol.com, Adyen, Coolblue, Picnic and other Dutch success stories. For example, to see how they are coping with social and/or economic uncertainty, increasingly demanding consumers and a competitive and constantly changing playing field. Leadership and embracing all digital opportunities and developments play a key role in this.

The Tech Hero Award 2026 is based on a well-founded criteria process. The process and criteria have been developed together with CIO Platform Nederland (CIO platform of top 100 organizations in NL), CIO Magazine and Research organization: Boston Consulting Group. The Tech Hero Award 2026 process entails two phases: the pre-nomination phase and the nomination phase.

In order to enter the contest, we kindly ask you to fill in the online questionnaire. After filling in the online questionnaire, the DAI Assessment will be sent to all relevant participants (at least the CIO/CDO/CTO/COO and CEO of the organization). The results of the DAI Assessment will be measured and ranked by Boston Consulting Group. Based on the results, the jury will diminish the selection of pre-nominees to a selection of nominees. All pre-nominees will be informed whether they enter the next phase.

Validation interviews will be held with you and some of your colleagues. The jury will invite the Tech Hero nominees for a meeting in November where the nominees will give a presentation. After this meeting the jury will select the Tech Hero 2026. The Tech Hero Award 2026 will be presented by Aart Rupert (Chairman of the Jury) at CIODAY2026, November 24th 2026.