If your organisation as a whole demonstrates strong digital capabilities and delivers clear, measurable impact, we recommend applying in one of the company categories: «Business» or «Public Sector & NPO».
If you have developed a specific product, service or solution that sets new standards, the «Next Global Hot Thing» or «Business» category may be the right fit, depending on your stage and focus.
The «Next Global Hot Thing» category recognises companies with international potential. Participation is by nomination through one of our scouting partners.
The «NextGen Hero» honours emerging talents who actively shape the digital future of Switzerland. Nominations are submitted via partner organisations.
The «ICT Training» category recognises organisations that make a significant contribution to developing ICT talent. Nominations are coordinated through ICT Berufsbildung Schweiz.
«Pioneer of the Year» recognises an individual who has made a lasting impact on Switzerland’s digital landscape and serves as a role model.
Do you need support with your application? We offer free 15-minute coaching sessions.
MORE INFORMATION
The first step is to register on the website. You can log into the application tool and go through the questions. If you see that you have entered the wrong category, or that the application is too time-consuming for you, you can still change your mind. Then, once you've decided to submit an application for one or more awards, make a binding registration in the application tool. This is all free of charge. Only when you have answered all the questions and submitted the application at the end, the processing fee for your participation will be due and invoiced. The basic fee is 600 CHF. For each category you apply for, you pay 300 CHF. The basic flat fee also includes a ticket to attend the Digital Economy Award ceremony, regardless of whether you win an award or not.
To ensure the professional level of the evaluation process, a participation fee is charged in the categories Digital Innovation of the Year and Digital Excellence Award. The high standards of this multi-stage process give the award its high credibility. Each submission is analysed by the jury. The juries meet several times, first determine a short list, discuss it on the jury days, and then select the finalists and subsequently the winners of the respective categories.
For the Next Global Hot Thing category, the Scouting Partners exclusively nominate the finalists (approx. 5 per Scouting Partner). For the nominees, the subsequent participation in the judging process is free of charge. The pre-selection of the Scouting Partners ensures the level of the finalists on the one hand and reduces the effort on the part of the candidates and the jury of the Digital Economy Awards on the other. In the NextGen Hero category for individuals, the nomination runs through defined educational organizations. Participation is free of charge for the nominated individuals.
The Swiss Digital Economy Award AG operates on a cost-covering, but non-profit basis.
For the Next Global Hot Thing category, Scouting Partners exclusively nominate the finalists. Are you already in the network or ecosystem of one of the Scouting Partners? All the better, then get in touch with the organisation to find out your chances for a finalist spot. If not, it may still be worth contacting one of the Scouting Partners. Because if the Scouting Partner can't adequately fill its finalist spots, you may be able to take over a spot with a little luck.
The categories Digital Innovation of the Year and Digital Excellence require you to answer between 20 and 40 open questions. The more precise and better you answer the questions, the greater your chances of being nominated as a finalist. After you have created your login, you can browse through the questions first and then decide on the appropriate category later, if you do not already know this in advance. You can also always adjust the answers. Only with your final registration for a certain category will the processing fee for your participation be due and invoiced.
Your application will be sent to the jury of the respective category. You will then have to be patient until the beginning of August, when the jury defines the shortlist for the jury days in September. On the jury day itself, the entries from the shortlist will be discussed in detail. For most of the award categories, you will also have the opportunity to present yourself by means of a short pitch. Shortly thereafter, the finalists will be announced. If your application clears this first hurdle, your chances of winning an award increase further. As a finalist, you will then be reviewed in more detail by the jury. The procedure varies from category to category and is up to the juries. Usually you will be invited to an in-depth meeting by the jury or at least two jury members will visit and interview you and your team. The jurors then meet again and nominate the winners of each category. The winners will then be formally announced at the Award Gala Night on November 16th 2023 at Zurich's Hallenstadion.
