Innovation Challenge
Data Center World will host its 5th Annual Innovation Challenge at the Data Center World Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 22–23, 2026.
Innovation Challenge
When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm & 1:50 - 5:00 pm
Location: Uptime Stage
Innovation Challenge Awards
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Ballroom A/B - 3rd Floor
Data Center World will host its 5th Annual Innovation Challenge at the Data Center World Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 22–23, 2026.
This year, 24 selected startups will have the opportunity to pitch directly to venture capitalists, accelerators, utilities, hyperscalers and ABB executives, gaining valuable exposure to key decision-makers across the data center ecosystem.
The Data Center World Innovation Challenge, powered by ABB, will showcase the most exciting and impactful data center technologies currently on the market. Discover startups driving transformation, explore breakthrough solutions, and connect with the ecosystem shaping the future of data centers.
New for 2026!
- Innovation Alley: Start-ups will showcase their solutions to thousands of data center professionals via our dedicated exhibit space.
- Innovation Challenge: Pitch your solution to a panel of esteemed judges, with a chance for data center glory!
- Dedicated Networking Reception: Mix and mingle with the movers and shakers in the industry.
- Keynote Level Exposure: Winners will be announced at the Thursday DCW keynote.
The submission window for the 2026 Innovation Challenge is now closed.
Meet the Jury
Startups that applied had to align with one of the five innovation categories defined for this year’s challenge. Each Innovation Challenge team will be graded by the Jury in their defined category. We are pleased to introduce the 2026 Innovation Challenge Jury.
Dick Jackman
SVP, Portfolio Management,
Electrification Distribution Solution
Grid and Power
Jorge Lis
Global Segment Leader, Data Center,
ABB Electrification
Grid and Power
Ryan Rutledge
Executive Director,
Joules Accelerator
Grid and Power
Adam Sledd
Dominion Energy Innovation Center,
Executive Director
Grid and Power
Amanda Trumble
Data Center Segment Leader – Americas, ABB Electrification
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Paul Singer
CTO,
ABB Electrification
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Zach Barasz
Partner,
G2 Venture Partners
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Todd Gale
Chief Development Officer,
Applied Digital
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Florian Mueller
Global Client Director,
Microsoft
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Analia Troncoso
Global Head of Strategy and Business Development, ABB Motion
Cooling & Thermal Breakthrough
Tuomo Hoysniemi
President,
Motion Drive Products Division
Cooling & Thermal Breakthrough
Alex Young
Senior Associate,
Energy Impact Partners
Cooling & Thermal Breakthrough
Travis F. Hardin
Principal Engineer,
UL Solutions
Cooling & Thermal Breakthrough
Jim Mangini
President of Hoffman & Hoffman
Cooling & Thermal Breakthrough
Eric Deschenes
Global Marketing and Sales Lead,
Electrification Service
Build & Operations
Igor Machado
Sales Development Leader, Americas,
ABB Electrification Smart Buildings
Build & Operations
Jamie Hankins
Head of Startup Support,
Third Derivative
Build & Operations
Phill Lawson-Shanks
CIO,
Aligned Data Centers
Build & Operations
Anton Kotov
Head of Global Strategy and M&A,
ABB
Networking & IT
Panu Virolainen
CTO,
ABB Motion
Networking & IT
Danny Cotter
Managing Partner,
The Westley Group
Networking & IT
Varun Selvaraj
Business Development Manager - Enterprise AI & T2 Cloud.AMD Server Group
Networking & IT
Meet the Finalists
Congratulations to the exceptional finalists of the 2026 Innovation Challenge! We are thrilled to welcome you to the prestigious Data Center World event in Washington, D.C., where the brightest minds in data center technology will compete live on April 22–23. This in-person competition promises to be an electrifying showcase of groundbreaking ideas and transformative solutions, as 24 startups pitch their innovations to industry leaders, venture capitalists, and accelerators. The anticipation is palpable as we eagerly await discovering which visionary team will emerge victorious and redefine the future of digital infrastructure. Let the excitement begin!
Grid and Power
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Cooling and Thermal
Data Center Build & Operations
Networking & IT
2025 Innovation Challenge
Data Center World held its 4th annual tech startup competition at our annual conference in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2025. The Innovation Challenge contest pitted data center technology startups against each other. The panel of judges included:
- Vlad Galabov, Senior Director, Enterprise Infrastructure Research, Omdia
- Raymond Parpart, Director Data Center Strategy & Operations | IT Services, The University of Chicago
- Tara Gibb, Senior Director, Data Center World