Indiana’s biggest night for tech, with award categories spanning talent and innovation. From rising stars to industry leaders, the black tie gala honors the people and companies building what’s next.
27th Annual Mira Awards
April 24, 2026
The Palladium
Carmel, IN
Award submission period closes at 11:59 pm eastern time.
Live judging held by panel of distinguished industry leaders, selected to reflect a wide range of experience and perspectives.
Finalists announced for 27th Annual Mira Awards.
Winners announced during the Mira Awards Gala at the Palladium in Carmel.
Award submission period closes at 11:59 pm eastern time.
Live judging held by panel of distinguished industry leaders, selected to reflect a wide range of experience and perspectives.
Finalists announced for 27th Annual Mira Awards.
Winners announced during the Mira Awards Gala at the Palladium in Carmel.
TechPoint staff will review and forward ALL submissions (maximum of 25 per category) that meet the required criteria for live interviews with a panel of distinguished industry leaders, carefully chosen to reflect a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
TechPoint staff will review and forward submissions that meet the required criteria for live interviews with a panel of distinguished industry leaders, carefully chosen to reflect a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
Submissions are now open for the 2026 Mira Awards. Check below for descriptions of each award and who should enter.
This award recognizes outstanding innovators in the agbiosciences that have driven innovation in a way that contribute to economic growth while solving some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Who should enter? Agbioscience innovators based in Indiana.
Honors Indiana-based organizations that have significantly advanced business performance or industry standards through responsible, production-grade use of Artificial Intelligence either through internal process reinvention or externally facing products, services, or platforms. The award celebrates measurable impact and showcases how AI is elevating competitiveness across all sectors.
Eligibility: Any Indiana organization (public, private, or nonprofit), including third-party service providers that:
This award recognizes organizations and their programs or platforms that inspire and open doors for STEM talent, create economic opportunities and have a positive impact on talent pipeline development and the future workforce.
Who should enter? Employers, universities, schools, training academies, non-profits and more
2025 Winner: STARTedUP Foundation (Indianapolis)
This award celebrates exceptional innovations in the life sciences sector, honoring innovators that have made groundbreaking advancements in research, development, and application to ultimately benefit patients. It recognizes those who push the boundaries of what is possible in the life sciences field, driving Indiana’s leadership in health, biotechnology, medical devices and pharmaceutical innovation.
Who should enter? Life Sciences innovators based in Indiana. This could include research, product development, innovation, or other projects within higher ed institutions and industry, including large companies and startups.
2025 Winner: GeniPhys (Indianapolis)
This award recognizes the remarkable contributions of mission-driven organizations that have helped to pull our tech community forward—the impact makers of the year. These inspiring champions are creating a brighter, more equitable future for everyone.
Who should enter? Nonprofits, Social Enterprises, Government and Academic Initiatives, and More
2025 Winner: IronWorkz Co. (Gary)
This award recognizes outstanding innovations in the development and application of hardware technology, particularly those that push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of advanced manufacturing.
Who should enter? Innovative manufacturing companies based in Indiana.
2025 Winner: Arcamed (Indianapolis)
The Deal of the Year Award will not include a submission or judging process and will be determined directly by the TechPoint Executive Committee.
Growing companies takes much more than the latest technologies, and to drive digital innovation forward takes tech talent across all levels. That is why the winners of this award could represent a wide range of roles within businesses, such as software developers, financial analysts, marketing directors, and product managers, for example, covering four broad categories:
The Emerging Tech Leader Award recognizes a high–achieving individual as a reward for their many contributions to their own businesses as well as their service in our community.
Who should enter: Non-executive level employees at tech companies or in tech roles.
2025 Winner: Kevin Celisca, Integrate School (Bloomington)
For 2026, the Innovation of the Year Award will highlight one of the five Central Indiana Corporate Partnership initiatives, with the recipient selected by a separate executive committee.
This award is selected from among the winners of the following awards, and there is no separate submission process:
This award recognizes professional services firms or internal corporate teams that are pioneering transformative technology solutions or providing other professional innovation services that demonstrate excellence, creativity, and impact for clients or the industry at large.
Who should enter? Professional Services Firms, Consultants, Custom Software Developers, Design Studios; and Internal Corporate Technology and Innovation Teams Within Corporations; and More
2025 Winner: Reveal Risk (Carmel)
This award recognizes outstanding and high-achieving licensed computer science teachers who teach full CS courses at any public, charter, parochial or other school in the state of Indiana.
This award includes a $1000 cash grant and the winner is chosen by Nextech.
Who should enter: Computer science teachers who teach at any school in the state of Indiana
2025 Winner: Tinya Fisher
This award recognizes the relentless spirit of those who have turned adversity into opportunities, inspiring others with stories of their journey to success and leadership within Indiana’s tech and digital innovation communities.
Who should enter? Career changers, immigrants, people who may not have access to opportunities because of social or economic status or disability. Those who have endured and overcome significant challenges and hardships. Examples: Overcoming the circumstances of poverty, discrimination, health challenges, traumatic childhood experiences, and other barriers.
2025 Winner: Nida Ansari (Indianapolis)
Summary: Recognizes exceptional startup founders and/or operators of any age and experience who have looked outside the box, started something new, and generated momentum.
Who should enter? Founders, Co-founders, Founding Engineers or Product Developers, Others Critical to the Startup Process and More
2025 Winner: Jorge Saenz (Indianapolis)
This award recognizes high-potential, high-growth companies that are five years old or younger and have shown the greatest development/progress and market traction, including significant year-over-year growth and a solid management team.
Who should enter? Technology-driven startups formed within the past 5 years: all industries. (Can include Hardware, IoT, Biotech, Medtech, CleanTech and Sustainability, AI and Machine Learning, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Startups; and more.)
2025 Winner: rScan (South Bend)
This award recognizes high-growth, innovation-driven companies older than five years that have attained a pinnacle of achievement within the tech industry. These path-cutting pioneers are showcases of extraordinary leadership and performance.
Who should enter? Established Technology Companies and Scale-up Companies
2025 Winners: Accutech Systems (Muncie) and Republic Airways (Indianapolis)
Note: One award will be given in this category in 2026.
This award recognizes tech R&D and product development efforts and other trailblazing discoveries that are on path to ground-breaking products that have significant impact potential to transform a product category or an entire industry. This award is focused on customer facing products, not internal innovation or transformation projects.
Who should enter? Tech Companies, Startups, Individual Innovators, Government Agencies, Research Institutions and More
2025 Winner: Anu (Evansville)
Summary: This award recognizes inspiring and influential visionaries whose contributions have had lasting and significant impact on the state and its technology ecosystem. Trailblazers are innovative risk-takers whose achievements and bold leadership are catalysts for growth and success.
Winner is selected by the TechPoint Executive Committee.
2025 Winner: Tim Coleman
This award recognizes outstanding innovators in the agbiosciences that have driven innovation in a way that contribute to economic growth while solving some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Who should enter? Agbioscience innovators based in Indiana.
Honors Indiana-based organizations that have significantly advanced business performance or industry standards through responsible, production-grade use of Artificial Intelligence either through internal process reinvention or externally facing products, services, or platforms. The award celebrates measurable impact and showcases how AI is elevating competitiveness across all sectors.
Eligibility: Any Indiana organization (public, private, or nonprofit), including third-party service providers that:
This award recognizes organizations and their programs or platforms that inspire and open doors for STEM talent, create economic opportunities and have a positive impact on talent pipeline development and the future workforce.
Who should enter? Employers, universities, schools, training academies, non-profits and more
2025 Winner: STARTedUP Foundation (Indianapolis)
This award celebrates exceptional innovations in the life sciences sector, honoring innovators that have made groundbreaking advancements in research, development, and application to ultimately benefit patients. It recognizes those who push the boundaries of what is possible in the life sciences field, driving Indiana’s leadership in health, biotechnology, medical devices and pharmaceutical innovation.
Who should enter? Life Sciences innovators based in Indiana. This could include research, product development, innovation, or other projects within higher ed institutions and industry, including large companies and startups.
2025 Winner: GeniPhys (Indianapolis)
This award recognizes the remarkable contributions of mission-driven organizations that have helped to pull our tech community forward—the impact makers of the year. These inspiring champions are creating a brighter, more equitable future for everyone.
Who should enter? Nonprofits, Social Enterprises, Government and Academic Initiatives, and More
2025 Winner: IronWorkz Co. (Gary)
This award recognizes outstanding innovations in the development and application of hardware technology, particularly those that push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of advanced manufacturing.
Who should enter? Innovative manufacturing companies based in Indiana.
2025 Winner: Arcamed (Indianapolis)
The Deal of the Year Award will not include a submission or judging process and will be determined directly by the TechPoint Executive Committee.
Growing companies takes much more than the latest technologies, and to drive digital innovation forward takes tech talent across all levels. That is why the winners of this award could represent a wide range of roles within businesses, such as software developers, financial analysts, marketing directors, and product managers, for example, covering four broad categories:
The Emerging Tech Leader Award recognizes a high–achieving individual as a reward for their many contributions to their own businesses as well as their service in our community.
Who should enter: Non-executive level employees at tech companies or in tech roles.
2025 Winner: Kevin Celisca, Integrate School (Bloomington)
For 2026, the Innovation of the Year Award will highlight one of the five Central Indiana Corporate Partnership initiatives, with the recipient selected by a separate executive committee.
This award is selected from among the winners of the following awards, and there is no separate submission process:
This award recognizes professional services firms or internal corporate teams that are pioneering transformative technology solutions or providing other professional innovation services that demonstrate excellence, creativity, and impact for clients or the industry at large.
Who should enter? Professional Services Firms, Consultants, Custom Software Developers, Design Studios; and Internal Corporate Technology and Innovation Teams Within Corporations; and More
2025 Winner: Reveal Risk (Carmel)
This award recognizes outstanding and high-achieving licensed computer science teachers who teach full CS courses at any public, charter, parochial or other school in the state of Indiana.
This award includes a $1000 cash grant and the winner is chosen by Nextech.
Who should enter: Computer science teachers who teach at any school in the state of Indiana
2025 Winner: Tinya Fisher
This award recognizes the relentless spirit of those who have turned adversity into opportunities, inspiring others with stories of their journey to success and leadership within Indiana’s tech and digital innovation communities.
Who should enter? Career changers, immigrants, people who may not have access to opportunities because of social or economic status or disability. Those who have endured and overcome significant challenges and hardships. Examples: Overcoming the circumstances of poverty, discrimination, health challenges, traumatic childhood experiences, and other barriers.
2025 Winner: Nida Ansari (Indianapolis)
Summary: Recognizes exceptional startup founders and/or operators of any age and experience who have looked outside the box, started something new, and generated momentum.
Who should enter? Founders, Co-founders, Founding Engineers or Product Developers, Others Critical to the Startup Process and More
2025 Winner: Jorge Saenz (Indianapolis)
This award recognizes high-potential, high-growth companies that are five years old or younger and have shown the greatest development/progress and market traction, including significant year-over-year growth and a solid management team.
Who should enter? Technology-driven startups formed within the past 5 years: all industries. (Can include Hardware, IoT, Biotech, Medtech, CleanTech and Sustainability, AI and Machine Learning, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency Startups; and more.)
2025 Winner: rScan (South Bend)
This award recognizes high-growth, innovation-driven companies older than five years that have attained a pinnacle of achievement within the tech industry. These path-cutting pioneers are showcases of extraordinary leadership and performance.
Who should enter? Established Technology Companies and Scale-up Companies
2025 Winners: Accutech Systems (Muncie) and Republic Airways (Indianapolis)
Note: One award will be given in this category in 2026.
This award recognizes tech R&D and product development efforts and other trailblazing discoveries that are on path to ground-breaking products that have significant impact potential to transform a product category or an entire industry. This award is focused on customer facing products, not internal innovation or transformation projects.
Who should enter? Tech Companies, Startups, Individual Innovators, Government Agencies, Research Institutions and More
2025 Winner: Anu (Evansville)
Summary: This award recognizes inspiring and influential visionaries whose contributions have had lasting and significant impact on the state and its technology ecosystem. Trailblazers are innovative risk-takers whose achievements and bold leadership are catalysts for growth and success.
Winner is selected by the TechPoint Executive Committee.
2025 Winner: Tim Coleman
From emerging leaders and startups to corporate tech teams and trailblazers, Mira Awards now boasts 1,200 gala attendees and 2,000 process participants. Learn more about opportunities by downloading more info below.
