Awards
WID Space Coast Chapter Awards
Throughout the year, WID Space Coast recognizes individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in their support of U.S. defense and national security in our community. Part of our organization’s core mission is to recognize those who contribute their time, effort, resources, and leadership to support educational partnerships on the Space Coast.
The Award Ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Vertex Applied Innovation Hub at Florida Tech.
WID Space Coast is pleased to accept nominations to recognize individuals, organizations, and companies for their innovation supporting U.S. defense and national security in one or more of the following areas:
Innovator of the Year
The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes an individual, team, company, or organization that has advanced a new idea, technology, process, partnership, or solution with meaningful impact.
Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Development or implementation of an innovative product, service, process, or program
- Contribution to defense, space, national security, STEM, or public sector missions
- Creative problem-solving with measurable or meaningful results
- Advancement of technology, operations, partnerships, or community impact
- Collaboration across organizations or sectors to solve a mission need
- Potential for long-term impact across the Space Coast or broader national security community
Eligible nominees: Individuals, teams, companies, nonprofits, academic institutions, government partners, or collaborative initiatives.
Mentor of the Year
The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a meaningful impact through mentorship, guidance, advocacy, and support of others’ professional growth.
Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Commitment to mentoring emerging leaders, students, professionals, or peers
- Support for women’s advancement in defense, space, STEM, or national security careers
- Demonstrated willingness to share knowledge, open doors, and encourage growth
- Positive influence on individual career development or leadership confidence
- Active engagement in professional development, networking, or community leadership
- A lasting impact on those they have mentored
Eligible nominees: Professionals from industry, government, military, academia, nonprofit, or community organizations.
Small Business of the Year
The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership, growth, and contribution to the defense, space, national security, or public sector community.
Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Excellence in service, solutions, or mission support
- Growth, resilience, and business leadership
- Meaningful contribution to the Space Coast defense or space economy
- Support for workforce development, community engagement, or professional advancement
- Commitment to collaboration, innovation, and mission success
- Positive impact on customers, partners, employees, or the broader community
Eligible nominees: Small businesses supporting defense, aerospace, space, government, national security, technology, engineering, professional services, or related sectors.
Nomination Criteria
Nominations must include:
- Name/company nominated for respective award
- Nominee contact info (name, email, phone, etc.)
- A short, one-paragraph nomination narrative describing the nominee’s contributions
Winners are announced at the WID Space Coast Annual Scholarship and Industry Awards event each year.