Nominations now open for the 2026 Obsidi® Awards, Presented by BMO
Recognition
Updated 
2 min. read
The 2026 Obsidi® Awards, hosted by Obsidi® and presented by BMO for the fourth year in a row, are now open for nominations. This year’s theme, Building What’s Next, honours the leaders adapting to and actively designing the future of tech through bold execution, responsible innovation and measurable results.
The Obsidi® Awards are Obsidi®’s flagship recognition program, celebrating excellence across technological innovation, inclusive leadership and community impact. BMO’s continued sponsorship is a commitment to realizing a Digital-First and AI-powered future, in support of the communities where we all live and work.
"Every year, we see something extraordinary: professionals across every corner of the tech industry who are doing work that reshapes how we build, hire, secure and lead — and doing it without nearly enough recognition. The Obsidi® Awards exist to change that. This is not a participation ceremony. This is the industry's highest signal that the work matters, the builder matters, and the future they are creating matters."
- Lekan Olawoye, Founder & CEO, Obsidi®
Self and peer nominations will be open until Tuesday, June 30
Shortlisted nominees will be announced on Wednesday, July 15, additionally kicking off the audience voting period, which closes on Monday, July 27.
Final award winners will be revealed on Monday, August 31 and celebrated at the 2026 Obsidi® Awards gala on Thursday, September 24 in Toronto.
“Innovation is built by people who think differently, lead boldly and create pathways for others. The Obsidi® Awards shine a light on the exceptional talent shaping the future of tech and reflect our commitment to expanding opportunity and supporting industry-wide progress.”
- Gregory Brown, Chief Digital Officer, Canadian P&BB and Head, NA Digital Platforms
Award nomination categories:
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Tech Industry *Presented by BMO
- Tech Executive of the Year
- Tech Recruiter of the Year
- Product Manager of the Year
- Software Developer of the Year
- Innovation Team of the Year
- Cybersecurity Professional of the Year
- Tech Community Builder of the Year *Presented by BMO
- Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the Year
- Data Professional of the Year
All builders, innovators and visionaries across the tech ecosystem, from founders to engineers, recruiters, ERGs and beyond, are encouraged to apply. Previous Obsidi® Awards winners are ineligible, ensuring that each year highlights fresh leadership.
For additional information about nomination categories and criteria, eligibility, partnership opportunities and more, please visit OBSIDI® Awards 2026.
