CRN's 2026 AI Innovators Award Application
The 2026 CRN AI Innovators list recognizes North American solution providers such as MSPs, VARs, systems integrators and consultants for overall excellence and technical acumen in delivering AI-focused solutions to end customers.
Click here to download a blank copy of the application for planning purposes. Applications must be submitted via our online tool to be considered.
In October, 2026, CRN will recognize solution provider companies for ingenuity in delivering AI-focused solutions to the North American market.
A panel of CRN editors will select the honorees, which will be announced on CRN.com on October 12, 2026.
Eligibility:
The 2026 AI Innovators award is open to solution providers based in North America. Solution providers are defined as companies that recommend, sell and/or implement technology products or services to end users on behalf of a technology vendor. They often sell or recommend technology from multiple vendors and add their own services to create a full solution. They act as the trusted advisor to an end customer. This includes resellers, value-added resellers (VARs), managed service providers (MSPs), systems integrators, network integrators and technology consultants.
Technology vendors and distributors are not eligible.
COST TO APPLY: NONE
DEADLINE: Final versions of your application must be submitted ONLINE by 11:59PM PT on Friday, August 14th, 2026.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions regarding this application, please contact: Rick Whiting, rwhiting@thechannelcompany.comIMPORTANT
Make sure you click the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom of the form to successfully complete your application. You'll see a confirmation screen, followed by a confirmation email with your completed form attached as a PDF.Note: Solution provider companies that completed applications for the AI Solution Provider of the Year category of the 2026 CRN Best of the Channel (BotC) Awards (application already closed) will automatically be considered for the 2026 CRN AI Innovators list. No additional application is required. However, these are two separate awards programs that are independent of each other: inclusion as a finalist or winner of BotC does not guarantee a spot on the AI Innovators list, and vice versa. This only extends to companies that applied for the AI Solution Provider category. Companies that applied for other BotC awards categories but not the AI Solution Provider category would still need to fill out this application to be considered for CRN AI Innovators.