Belden Inc, a global supplier of network infrastructure and digitization solutions, announced that the company has created a new award program designed to foster the next generation of innovative technologies.

A press release said that the newly created Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award “will shine the spotlight on the innovations that are powering the future in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and telecommunications.” Entries are now accepted, with finalists announced next May, with the winner announced the following month.

The award is named for the innovator Joseph C. Belden, who in 1902 founded Belden Manufacturing to serve an unmet need he saw in the burgeoning telecommunications industry. “Joe Belden’s innovative spirit drove his company to become a trusted supplier for the radio broadcasting, TV and computer networking industries throughout the 20th century,” said Belden President and CEO Ashish Chand. “Today, Belden’s network infrastructure and digitization solutions are just the latest evolution in our 120-year legacy of innovation.”

The Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award will raise the profile of innovative companies through promotion and marketing as well as the opportunity to make invaluable industry connections. The competition will be open to small and medium-sized companies with revenues of $500 million or less, and eligible products must have been made available for sale on or after July 1, 2022. Award entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts and be evaluated for ingenuity and the value and benefit they deliver.

Winners and finalists will receive benefits such as networking opportunities with fellow innovators and industry experts, attendance at a June 2024 Belden innovation event where the winner will be announced, and a campaign promoting their winning product or solution.

More details can be found at www.belden.com. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Belden has manufacturing capabilities in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.