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.
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.
Grid and Power
Dick Jackman
SVP, Portfolio Management
Jorge Lis
Global Data Center Segment Lead
Ryan Rutledge
Executive Director, Joules Accelerator
Adam Sledd
Dominion Energy Innovation Center Executive Director
Power Inside AI-Scale Data Centers
Amanda Trumble
Data Center Segment Leader – Americas
Paul Singer
CIO, ABB Electrification
Zach Barasz
Partner, G2 Venture Partners
Cooling & Thermal Breakthrough
Analia Troncoso
Global Head of Strategy and Business Development, ABB Motion
Tuomo Hoysniemi
President, Division Drive Products
Alex Young
Senior Associate, Energy Impact Partners
Build & Operations
Eric Deschenes
Global Marketing and Sales Lead, Electrification Service
Aldo Sciacca
Head of Product Management, Electrification Smart Building
Jamie Hankins
Head of Startup Support, Third Derivative
Phill Lawson-Shanks
CIO, Aligned Data Centers
Networking & IT
Anton Kotov
Head of Global Strategy, ABB
Panu Virolainen
CTO, ABB Motion
Danny Cotter
Managing Partner, The Westley Group
Varun Selvaraj
Business Development Manager - Enterprise AI & T2 Cloud.AMD Server Group
Application Process
The submission window for the 2026 Innovation Challenge is now closed.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026
Deadline Extended: Friday, February 27, 2026
Selection of 24 Startups: Notification emails will be sent out the week of March 9, 2026
Event Week: April 20, 2026
Startup Selection
A total of 24 selected startups will receive:
- One complimentary conference pass
- A dedicated booth in the Innovation Alley (powered by ABB)
- The opportunity to pitch live to industry leaders and investors
Innovation Challenge Awards
Most Promising Startup (for each of the categories)
ABB Innovation Award
Award winners will be recognized at the Data Center World keynote, acknowledged in a Data Center World press release, provided with promotional assets to use for marketing purposes, and given an awards plaque.
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