Awards and Gala

Central and Eastern Europe’s Digital Excellence Awards

We celebrate the digital. We honour the human.

The Industry 4.0 Awards & Gala at FACTORY 4.0 2026 celebrates companies, leaders and innovators driving digital transformation, smart manufacturing and industrial innovation.

October 6, 2026

Museum of Immersive New Art, MINA

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Industry 4.0 Awards trophy at FACTORY 4.0 2026

Awards and Gala

About the Industry 4.0 Awards & Gala

Central and Eastern Europe’s Digital Excellence Awards brings together companies, institutions, innovators and leaders who accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and create meaningful impact across business, public service, healthcare, mobility, finance, energy and digital platforms.

Recognize Excellence

Outstanding achievements in digital transformation.

Accelerate Adoption

Big Data, Cloud, IoT, AI and AR/VR technologies.

Connect Leaders

High-level networking and innovation showcasing.

Inspire Progress

Continuous advancement in Industry 4.0.

Digital Excellence Awards 2026

Digital Factory Excellence

Digital Energy Excellence

Digital Banking and Finance Excellence

Digital Medical/Healthcare Excellence

Digital StartUp Excellence

Digital Learning Excellence

Digital Public Service Excellence

Digital Product Excellence

Digital Services Excellence

Digital Platform Excellence

Eligibility

Who Can Nominate

Nominations can be submitted by employees involved in digitization projects, developers of digital products or services, or service providers delivering digital transformation. Self-nominations are allowed if criteria are met. Eligible are companies, organizations, or institutions—private or public, from Romania or abroad—showcasing digital excellence. Projects must be active or implemented in 2025 or 2026, and all types of entities, from startups to large enterprises, are welcome.

Eligibility

Eligible Entities

Companies, organizations, or institutions (private or public) operating in Romania or internationally, with projects or products demonstrating digital excellence. Startups, SMEs, large enterprises, and public sector entities are eligible. Projects or products must have been implemented or active in 2025/2026.

Proposals and registrations will open on August 1, 2026, when the official submission form will be launched. From that date, eligible entities will be able to submit their projects or products through the form until September 20, 2026.

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Romanian heritage in dialogue with the digital future

The Gala includes a special cultural moment dedicated to Romanian sonic heritage, connecting tradition, virtuosity and emotion with the contemporary energy of FACTORY 4.0.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Romanian Cobza

The Romanian cobza is a traditional string instrument with deep roots in lăutărească music and Romanian cultural memory. Its recognition as part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage confirms the value of this tradition and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Tradition. Virtuosity. Emotion.

Bogdan Simion & Lăutarii de Mătase

The live performance brings old Romanian lăutărească music to the stage through authentic research, expressive interpretation and contemporary sensitivity. A moment built around musical craft, identity and emotional intensity.

Gala Host

Maria Smarandache

The Gala will be hosted by Maria Smarandache, journalist and presenter with over two decades of experience in Romanian media. Her career is built on rigour, balance and in-depth journalism, including coverage of major political and social events and interviews with leading figures from politics, diplomacy and culture.

Journalist & Presenter

Presenter of news and debate programmes at TVR INFO, including “Banii, azi” and “Mapamond”.

FACTORY 4.0

Jury Composition

Henrik von Scheel

Keynote Speaker

Marius Hărătău

Founder FACTORY 4.0

Sorin Mierlea

InfoCons

Andrei Luchici

American University in Bucharest

Ecaterina Manole

edkore

Bogdan Cuciureanu

Mida Soft Business

Manuel Vexler

AKFI Association

Mihai Macarie

To be announced soon

Industry 4.0 Awards