In a move that signals continued momentum behind its global recognition programmes, Info‑Tech Research Group has announced a significant extension to the nomination deadline for its prestigious 2025 Info‑Tech Awards, particularly for two of its flagship categories: Innovator of the Year and Women Leading IT awards.
Originally scheduled to close on July 31, 2025, nominees now have until August 31, 2025 to submit their applications—a strategic extension designed to broaden participation and amplify recognition of leadership excellence in the IT sector.
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A Broader Opportunity for Recognition
Why the extension matters
The extended deadline creates fresh opportunities for organisations and individuals who may have been working behind the scenes on transformative IT initiatives. With more time to craft compelling applications, nominees can better showcase how their innovation or leadership has delivered measurable impact — whether through process optimisation, business alignment, or gender-inclusive leadership in tech.
Who benefits
- Innovator of the Year Award: celebrates organisations that have leveraged groundbreaking IT solutions to drive organisational success.
- Women Leading IT Award: recognises exceptional women in IT leadership roles who are fostering innovation, transformation, and inclusion in technology.
Overview of the 2025 Info‑Tech Awards
First launched earlier in 2025, the Info‑Tech Awards programme was expanded to spotlight both leadership and organisational innovation across five distinct categories.
- Innovator of the Year (open to all organisations)
- Women Leading IT (open to individual female leaders in IT)
- IT Excellence Award (requires Info‑Tech membership and diagnostic completion)
- IT Impact Award (requires completion of the CIO Business Vision Diagnostic)
- IT Transformation Award (requires CIO Playbook-based case study submission)
While categories 3–5 are reserved for Info‑Tech members with diagnostic prerequisites, categories 1 and 2 are open and now benefit from an extended window for submission.
Important Dates at a Glance
| Category | Original Deadline | New Deadline | Winner Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator of the Year | July 31, 2025 | August 31, 2025 | November 2025 |
| Women Leading IT | July 31 (or Aug 31 per some pages) | August 31, 2025 | November 2025 |
| Other Category Deadlines (Diagnostics) | July 31, 2025 | Unchanged | November 2025 |
- All winners across categories will be revealed in November 2025. Info‑Tech selects recipients through a combination of submitted diagnostics, nomination forms, interviews, and additional evaluations where needed.
Why Extend Now? A Strategic Perspective
- Encouraging latecomers: Multi-national firms, APAC‑based organisations, or candidates in time zones unfamiliar with the original deadline may now catch up.
- Promoting diversity: The extension fosters heightened participation in the Women Leading IT category, giving more time for nominations of inspiring female leaders.
- Ensuring quality: Extra time can lead to stronger, more polished submissions that better reflect organisational or personal achievements.
In the words of George Khreish, Managing Partner for Info‑Tech in APAC, the expanded awards are designed to recognise both the vision and the tangible results driven by IT leadership in a fast‑evolving business landscape.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re eligible for either the Innovator of the Year or Women Leading IT categories, here’s how to maximise this opportunity:
- Revisit or develop your nomination: Use the extra time to refine your narrative and quantify impact.
- Gather supporting diagnostics or data: For organisational categories, be sure to present clear metrics and measured results.
- Submit by August 31: This is a firm deadline—applications will not be accepted after this date.
- Review criteria thoroughly: Each award has its own benchmarks—use Info‑Tech’s resources, FAQs, and terms & conditions to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
What Winners Will Gain
- A trophy and certificate, awarded in public recognition of excellence.
- Media kit and promotion, including visibility on Info‑Tech’s website and social media platforms.
- Enhanced credibility within the IT leadership community.
- Potential invitations to Info‑Tech conferences, workshops, and future opportunities for shared visibility.
How the Awards Categories Differ
Innovator of the Year
Focuses on organisations pushing the envelope with technology. Eligibility requires documented, measurable IT-driven innovation that contributes to operational improvements or transforms outcomes.
Women Leading IT
Targets female IT leaders—such as CIOs, VPs, or IT Directors—who not only lead change but often mentor and inspire inclusive cultures within their industry. Metrics include leadership, innovation, diversity efforts, and broader influence.
IT Excellence, Impact & Transformation
These awards rely on diagnostic tools and membership with Info‑Tech Research Group:
- IT Excellence: Outcome-based improvement via IT Management & Governance Diagnostics.
- IT Impact: Based on completion of CIO Business Vision Diagnostic between October 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.
- IT Transformation: Relies on CIO Playbook framework submissions and strategic alignment outcomes by July 31, 2025.
Broader Context: Rise of IT Leadership Recognition
The extended deadline comes amid an extended strategic focus on acknowledging IT leadership excellence worldwide. Other awarding bodies, including Forrester and IDC, have also revisited their schedules to ensure inclusive participation across APAC regions.
- Forrester Technology Awards (APAC): Extended deadline to June 9, 2025 for the region.
- IDC Future Enterprise Awards (Asia Pacific): Closed nominations in mid‑June 2025.
- These extensions reflect a trend—organisers inviting more thoughtful, higher-quality submissions to reflect true impact across diverse geographies.
Quick FAQs
Q: Can I apply if I missed the original deadline?
A: Yes. Nominations for Innovator of the Year and Women Leading IT now close on August 31, 2025.
Q: Will other categories also be extended?
A: No. Categories tied to diagnostics (IT Excellence, IT Impact, IT Transformation) still require completion by July 31, 2025.
Q: Are winners announced only in APAC?
A: No. Info‑Tech Awards are global; winners from any region are eligible and publicly recognised in November 2025.
Editor’s Observations
With this extension, Info‑Tech sends a clear signal: IT innovation and leadership deserve thoughtful, inclusive recognition. By granting more time, the organisation invites richer submissions—ones that quantify business value, spotlight women leaders, and elevate organisational stories that might have otherwise been sidelined.
This adjustment not only reflects sensitivity to global time zones and deadlines, but also emphasises quality over speed. Applicants now have a valuable opportunity to tell their full story.
Final Thought
If you’ve been contemplating a submission to the Info‑Tech Awards for Innovator of the Year or Women Leading IT, this is your moment to shine. Use the extended timeframe to polish your application and showcase how your leadership or innovation is making a measurable difference.
Winners will be announced in November 2025, and given the increased visibility and prestige associated with Info‑Tech Awards, it’s a milestone worth pursuing.
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