2025 Synapse Innovation Awards
Are you ready to showcase your innovation on Florida's biggest stage?
Innovation Lives Here®
The Synapse Innovation Awards return for the 4th year to celebrate Florida’s boldest innovators, risk-takers, doers, and creators—those who dared to see an opportunity to make something better and took action to make it happen!
Entries will be evaluated by a hand-selected group of judges, including top CEOs, innovation leaders, and investors from across Florida. Plus, the Synapse community will also get to vote for their favorites.
Unlock Your Potential
Why Apply?
This isn’t just an award—it’s your chance to put your innovation in the spotlight and be recognized by Florida’s top CEOs, investors, and leaders. Only a few will make it to the Mainstage—will you be one of them?
Get Recognized
Present on the mainstage at Synapse Summit 2025.
Gain Exposure
Be seen by top CEOs, investors, and industry leaders.
Join the Movement
Align your brand with Florida’s most influential innovators.
Award Categories
Think your innovation stands out? Select the category that best showcases your impact and take the next step toward industry recognition.
Startup
For startups less than two years old making big waves. Share your journey, from discovering the problem to delivering solutions and achieving growth.
Innovative Solution
Your product or service is on the market and stands out for its unique, innovative approach. Judges will consider design, functionality, and potential impact.
Growth Company
You’ve achieved exponential growth in company size, user adoption, or revenue over the past 12 months. We want to recognize your success!
Community Impact
You’ve made a noticeable difference in how we live, work, or play. Whether through education initiatives, sustainable practices, tech solutions, or social impact efforts, your work is shaping the future.
Who Can Apply?
Any Florida-based innovator with businesses at various stages, across industries and technologies, can apply. You must select one category to be considered.
How does the process work?
Submit your application by February 28, 2025, and let a panel of Florida’s top leaders and investors decide if you have what it takes to make it to the Mainstage. The top companies in each category will be invited to present live at Synapse Summit 2025 in front of an engaged audience of industry power players. Winners will be announced on the spot
Submissions Open Until: February 28, 2025
Judging Period: March 1 – March 14, 2025
Finalist Notification: Week of March 17, 2025
Showcase & Awards: March 25, 2025 at Synapse Summit
How Do We Judge Innovation?
At Synapse, innovation is more than just a great idea—it’s about impact, execution, and resilience. We’re looking for innovators who not only saw an opportunity but took bold steps to create change. Whether you connected ideas across industries, overcame unexpected challenges, or designed solutions with real-world impact, we want to hear your story.
What problem did your innovation solve?
What inspired you to take action?
How did you connect ideas, technologies, or industries to create something new?
What were your biggest challenges and successes?
Business Objective Clarity
Is your mission and purpose clearly defined?
Innovation
What tangible results has your innovation delivered?
Adaptability & Scalability
Can your solution grow or be applied to other markets?
Resilience
How did you navigate obstacles and adapt to challenges?
What will I win?
The top two companies in each category will be invited to present on the mainstage at the Innovation Showcase during Synapse Summit 2025 on Tuesday, March 25th. Winners will be announced live at the showcase.
Custom Trophy by
Ultimate 3D Printing
Mainstage Spotlight for all finalists
Bragging Rights
& Featured Recognition
FAQ
Still have questions?
Email us at info@synapsefl.wpenginepowered.com
Does my business have to be based in Florida to apply for the award?
Yes, although we support innovation everywhere our mission is to highlight and support innovation in the state of Florida.
How are the judges selected?
Judges are selected by the Synapse board members, program committee, and staff based on their expertise and community involvement. They will be representative of industry, geography, expertise, and experience.
Can you tell me more about the Judging Criteria?
- Companies will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- Business Objective Clarity – The overall company mission and objectives must be clear to understand and clear why they exist. Tell us your why?
- Innovation – How the team thought differently to solve a unique problem. This is the crux of the criteria. Outline, in detail, what the problem was and what made the solution innovative.
- Impact – What were the results and the perceived impact for the industry? Team? Or community?
- Adaptability/Scalability – Can your innovation be scaled or adapted by others?
Resilience – How did you pivot or address a specific challenge?
When will the showcases and the awards show take place?
In-person at Synapse Summit on March 25, 2025
Do I need to attend the Innovation Showcase in person?
Yes. All finalists will need to participate in person.