26 November 2026 | Hilton Metropole London
Enter now
It’s great to hear you’re interested in entering the TechFest Awards 2026.
To register and start your entry, please select from the categories below. If you have previously started an entry, please login on the right-hand side of the navigation bar.
When you are completing your entry please remember to save every few minutes using the “Save” button to ensure you do not lose any of your information in case the website times out. You are also able to begin your entry and then save it to complete later.
Consider entering more than one category. With 20 categories, there are plenty of opportunities to showcase the breadth and impact of your work across the sector.
Entry images:
As part of your entry submission you will need to submit two images which will be utilised in the awards ceremony should you be successfully shortlisted. Please provide two high resolution images to represent your entry over 1MB in size and of landscape orientation. This image should be of your project or your team and should not include any logos.
If you need help with your entry or require any clarification, please contact please contact:
Kieran McDougall
+44 (0)20 3953 2019
Kieran.McDougall@emap.com
Entry deadline: Friday 03 July
Best Use of Technology: Project categories
Best Use of Technology: Artificial Intelligence
This category recognises teams using artificial intelligence-driven technology to improve project planning or delivery. This may be in infrastructure or on a building project and can cover areas such as improving the design, management or construction through artificial intelligence or being used to aid clients to better plan infrastructure or construction investment.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project or framework (as a trial or as a full-blown part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate how artificial intelligence is having an impact on the project
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Carbon Reduction in Design
This category recognises teams using technology to drive down carbon in design of projects for any part of the built environment. This may be in the form of embodied carbon through the use of improved design, effective carbon calculators, or creation of digital twins.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate and quantify how the technology is having an impact on carbon on the project
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Carbon Reduction in Construction and Management
This category recognises teams using technology to drive down carbon generated through the delivery and use of their projects for any part of the built environment. This may be in the form of embodied carbon through the use of alternative materials, new equipment, construction methods or operational carbon.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate and quantify how the technology is having an impact on carbon on the project
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Design Efficiency
This category recognises teams using technology to drive efficiency and productivity in the design stages of a project. This may be through automation, digitalisation or improving processes and methods that bring a step change to the construction and civil engineering industry.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as an integrated part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate how the technology is having an impact on the project and the results
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Digital Engineering
This category recognises teams using digital engineering to improve a project. This may be on infrastructure or a building project and can cover areas such as improving the design, management or construction using new digital techniques.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as a full-blown part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026.
Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate how digital engineering is having an impact on the project
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Health, Safety & Wellbeing
This category recognises teams using technology to improve health, safety and wellbeing. This may focus on one or all areas of health, safety and wellbeing but should have measurable impact on the workforce and individuals with the technology at the centre of driving that the change.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as a full-blown part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate and, where possible, quantify how the technology is having an impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of the project team
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Site Productivity
This category recognises teams using technology to improve productivity in delivery of a project on site. This may be through use of automation, modern methods of construction or improved collaboration on site but the entry must focus on the productivity improvements driven by this new approach.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as a full-blown part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate and quantify how the technology is having an impact on site productivity
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Smart Data Collection for Asset Management
This category recognises teams using technology to collect, use or process data to best manage the asset management. Collection may be through using technology such as drones, sensors, scanners or anything else that collects data to improve the management of construction and civil engineering assets.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as a full-blown part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate how the technology is having an impact on projects through the data it collects
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on the conventional approach
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best Use of Technology: Smart Data Collection in Construction
This category recognises teams using technology to collect, use or process data to best manage construction. Collection may be through using technology such as drones, sensors, scanners, AI or anything else that collects data to improve the management of construction.
Entries from companies, project teams, joint ventures or collaborations are welcomed.
The technology must be being used on a specific project (as a trial or as a full-blown part of the project) between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate how the technology is having an impact on projects through the data it collects during construction
- Explain how this new technology is an advance on other conventional methods
- Describe the research, development and innovation strategy that led to the development of the technology adopted
- Explain how the technology could be scaled up and the ambition for its wider use across other projects
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Best use of Technology: Digital Construction
This award aims to recognise outstanding performance in the use and commitment to digital construction on a project.
Entries are welcome from contractors – main contractors and specialists – as well as project teams who have used digital construction between Jan 2025 to July 2026 to improve their project performance.
The entry should refer to developments on a project, highlighting success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate innovation in the use of digitalisation or technologies
- Research and development that has taken place to adopt technology and how the business has integrated digital and technological solutions into projects
- Description of how the project is striving to be digital first and an example of best practice in the use of technology in construction
Entries are free and you are able to enter several initiatives in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Digital Transport Project of the Year
Open to all transport projects that achieved practical completion, or equivalent, between Jan 2025 and July 2026
This project award is for engineering and construction teams who exemplify the best use of technology and deserve recognition for their high standard of work, adherence to client satisfaction and delivery within budget for any transport infrastructure project. The category celebrates the best transport projects that have been designed, constructed or delivered with innovative technology in.
Entries are welcome from engineering consultants and contractors – main contractors and specialists – as well as project teams who have championed the use of technology in design and construction between Jan 2025 to July 2026.
Judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Innovation in the use of digitalisation or technologies
- Client satisfaction and project excellence
- Description of how the project is striving to be digital first and an example of best practice in the use of technology across design and construction
Entries are free and you are able to enter several initiatives in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Digital Construction Project of the Year
Open to all UK projects that achieved practical completion, or equivalent, between Jan 2025 and July 2026.
This project award is for engineering and construction teams who exemplify the best use of technology and deserve recognition for their high standard of work, adherence to client satisfaction and delivery within budget. The category celebrates the best of technology in UK engineering and construction and the entries should reflect that.
Entries are welcome from engineering consultants and contractors – main contractors and specialists – as well as project teams who have championed the use of technology in design and construction between Jan 2025 to July 2026.
Judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Innovation in the use of digitalisation or technologies
- Client satisfaction and project excellence
- Description of how the project is striving to be digital first and an example of best practice in the use of technology across design and construction
Entries are free and you are able to enter several initiatives in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Organisation categories
Technology Supplier of the Year
This category recognises businesses that are driving change and innovation through new technological solutions and products for use in the construction and civil engineering industry and on the projects the construction and civil engineering sectors deliver.
This category is open to suppliers, tech companies and solution providers.
The entry should refer to developments and projects between January 2025 and July 2026 and highlight success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate the solutions used over the last 18 months and the impact on recent projects.
- Describe the research and development that has taken place and how the business has supported plans
- Explore the role of collaboration with customers and external engagement that has driven your success
- Outline the next steps for the business and ambitions for the future
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Innovation Accelerator
This category recognises start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are driving change and innovation through development of new technology for use in the construction and civil engineering industry or on the projects the sector delivers. We are looking for young, fast-growing, agile businesses that are striving to have an impact on the industry. There is no defined age of the company for you to be eligible but you should be able to demonstrate how you are growing rapidly and have a vision for where the company will be in the next three to five years.
Shortlisted entries from this category will be judged on the main conference stage at the event on 25 November and offered a complimentary stand within the Innovation Alley at the conference.
This category is for start-ups and SMEs only, with under 250 employees. Larger or mature businesses should enter one of the other organisation categories.
The entry should refer to developments and projects between January 2025 and July 2026 and highlight success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- What is your key innovation and market offer
- Demonstrate how the solutions have been used over the last 18 months and the impact on recent projects or the potential change the product could deliver
- Explain how the business delivers something different from the larger and more mature firms in the sector
- Describe the research and development that has taken place and the internal and external collaboration
- Outline the next steps for the business and ambitions for the future
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Product Innovation of the Year
This category is open to any business or supplier that has created or launched an innovative product or material to improve construction or civil engineering processes between Jan 2025 to Jan 2026.
This category is open to suppliers and manufacturers and the innovation can be focused towards either civils or construction. Entries should focus on at least one example of specific innovation. This could be a new trailblazing product that exemplifies innovative design and function, sustainable materials or solutions.
The entry should refer to developments and projects between January 2025 and July 2026 and highlight success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate the product used over the last 18 months and the impact on recent projects.
- Describe the research and development that has taken place and how the business has supported plans
- Explain how the product offers a better solution to other option already available
- Explore the role of collaboration with customers and external engagement that has driven your success
- Outline the next steps for the business and ambitions for the future
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Software Innovation of the Year
Recognising groundbreaking software solutions that drive efficiency, collaboration, and transformation in the construction and engineering sectors. This award celebrates innovative digital tools, platforms, or applications that enhance project delivery, data management, automation, or sustainability.
The entry should refer to developments and software launches between January 2025 and July 2026 and highlight success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate the product used over the last 18 months and the impact on a recent project
- Describe the research and development that has taken place and how the business has supported plans
- Provide case studies or examples showcasing measurable improvements in productivity, cost savings, sustainability, or other key performance areas
- Highlight how the software offers a superior solution compared to existing market alternatives.
- Showcase unique features, performance benefits, and user experience improvements that differentiate it from competitors. Explain how the technology could be scaled up and your ambition for its wider use
- Outline the company’s future plans for the software, including upcoming developments, expansions, or innovations
Entries are free and you are able to enter several innovations in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Digital Consultant of the Year
This category seeks to recognise the best engineering consultants that are driving change and innovation through use of new digital and technological solutions in the design of civil engineering projects that the sector delivers.
This category is open to engineering consultants only.
The entry should refer to developments within the firm and on projects between January 2025 and July 2026 and highlight success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate the solutions used over the last 18 months and the impact on the organisation or recent projects.
- Research and development that has taken place and how the business has integrated digital and technological solutions into projects and the business.
- Description of how the firm is striving to be digital first and a leader in the use of technology.
- Outline of the next steps for the business and ambitions for the future.
Entries are free and you are able to enter several initiatives in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Digital Contractor of the Year
This category seeks to recognise the best contractors – main contractors or specialists - that are driving change and innovation through use of new digital and technological solutions in any civil or commercial construction projects that the sector delivers.
This category is open to contractors only.
The entry should refer to developments within the firm and on projects between January 2025 and July 2026 and highlight success and the impact they are having. Judges will be looking for entries that:
- Demonstrate the solutions used over the last 18 months and the impact on the organisation or recent projects.
- Research and development that has taken place and how the business has integrated digital and technological solutions into projects and the business.
- Description of how the firm is striving to be digital first and a leader in the use of technology.
- Outline the next steps for the business and ambitions for the future.
Entries are free and you are able to enter several initiatives in one category or enter as many categories as you see fit, having reviewed the specific category criteria.
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Individual categories
Digital Rising Star
This category seeks to recognise engineering and construction early career professionals with up to five years of industry experience, who have shown innovative thinking, astute business acumen or made a significant contribution to a project through their passion for digital and technology in construction and engineering. Entrants must be able to clearly define their critical input to work in one or more of these areas.
They will be judged on all-round ability - not only academic and work-related achievements - but also their enthusiasm for digital engineering or construction.
Entries should be submitted by either the individual or their employer and should include a commendation from either a company training officer or a relevant senior colleague and an up-to-date CV.
The entry should refer to achievements within the firm and on projects between January 2025 and July 2026. Judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate:
- Evidence of digital knowledge, skill and problem solving
- Passion for technology in engineering and construction
- Career achievements (further study, papers published or promotions)
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Tech and Digital Team of the Year
This award seeks to recognise a team involved in the design or technology of any built environment projects that are excelling in utilising technology.
These teams have been using technology to deliver improved results this may have been to improve collaboration, delivery and problem solving.
It is open to entire project team or a team focused on a specific area within a project or programme. Team members could be drawn from one company, joint ventures or could it be a multi-company team.
The entry should relate to work that happened between January 2025 and July 2026.
Judges will be looking for entries that meet the following criteria:
- How technology is being utilised by the team and the results of it
- Shared goals and cultural behaviours across the project team and how this were shared down the supply chain
- Specific initiatives that were deployed to create a collaborative culture and the improve areas such as diversity, environmental performance or workforce upskilling
- Wider impact that team has had and lessons for future projects
Required images:
- Each submission should be supported by two images that best represent the entry.
- Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations).
- The images will be used on the night and may be used in marketing material.
Hints & Tips
This is your chance to tell your story. All good stories have a structure so whether you are submitting entries for outstanding projects or as a trailblazing leader, remember to structure your entry along the following lines:
- Beginning: How did your innovation come about, what challenges were you trying to overcome or when did you decide to embrace a change/technology?
- Middle: What did you do to implement the innovation? Give examples demonstrating why you stand out
- End: What were the results and what makes you or your project stand out?
To ensure that your submission is your best work, take a look at our hints and tips below before you start your entry:
- Make a note of the deadline: you must submit your entry by 03 July so make sure you have this date in mind – write it in your diary or on your calendar, or set notifications on your phone to ensure you don't miss the chance to enter your excellent work
- Preparation is key: now that you know the deadline, allow yourself plenty of time to write, develop and submit your entry – coming back to it with a fresh pair of eyes can help you remember important details that may make the difference between being shortlisted and just missing out
- Make the judges' job easy: write in clear, plain English, avoid too much jargon and use bullet points where appropriate to break up the text
- Pay attention to grammar and spelling: poorly presented entries lack credibility so don't lose out on being shortlisted on something you could have easily avoided
- Involve the right people: if your work was a team effort, involve the other team members in developing the entry – you've got this far through teamwork so make it count
- Back up your entry: take advantage of the option to include supporting information with your entry to help the judges understand the impact of your work
- Proofread: ask someone else, such as a colleague, friend or manager, to look through your entry before you submit. It can be helpful to ask someone who was not directly involved in the work you are entering – like the judges they will not have detailed knowledge so they may suggest ways to clarify your entry