East Bay Innovation Awards

The East Bay Innovation Awards returns to Oakland at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 26, 2026. For over a decade, the annual awards ceremony has showcased outstanding companies and organizations from Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Tickets are now on sale for the 13th annual ceremony presented by PG&E. Now through January 31, get early-bird pricing with promo code Early2026.

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2026 Award Ceremony

The 2026 East Bay Innovation Awards will be held at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland on March 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Conveniently located on the edge of Lake Merritt near Oakland’s Downtown and Chinatown districts, this historic building hosted countless performances, concerts, and recitals in its original 90-year run.

We are thrilled to welcome back Emmy Award-winning journalist, NBC Bay Area news anchor and reporter, Gia Vang, as event host for the 2026 award ceremony. As Co-Founder of the Very Asian Foundation, Gia has led efforts to combat racism and create change for AANHPI communities.

Joy Ofodu will be joining us again as a Host and Announcer. The multi-talented Voice Actor and CEO of Enjoyment Endeavor has drawn millions of views to her original digital comedy content. She recently wrote, directed, and starred in an original film called Heart of Sunshine.

The East Bay is a world-class leader when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship. Often referred to as the “Academy Awards of the East Bay,” the East Bay Innovation Awards is the premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors the extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation. For over a decade, the annual awards ceremony has showcased outstanding organizations that embrace innovation in their manufacturing, products, services, design, and information.

Get Tickets

Now through January 31, purchase early-bird tickets using promo code: Early2026 to get $50 off

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Become a Sponsor

Explore sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 East Bay Innovation Awards.

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Awardee Benefits

Learn more about awardee benefits that include East Bay EDA membership and regional recognition.

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Legacy Award

BART is the 2026 East Bay Innovation Legacy Awardee

Oakland, California – The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is pleased to announce the selection of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) as the Legacy Awardee for the 2026 East Bay Innovation Awards. The East Bay Innovation Awards is the premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors the extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation. For more than a decade, this annual awards ceremony has showcased outstanding companies and organizations from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. As a part of this event, East Bay EDA recognizes a “Legacy Awardee” to acknowledge a company or organization that has had an enduring and meaningful impact on the people who live and work here in our region. Since its first trains rolled out in 1972, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has been far more than a commuter rail system. For the East Bay—an area defined by its vibrant cities, economic dynamism, and diverse...

Past Finalists

Past East Bay Innovation Award finalists include Tesla, Impossible Foods, Prime Roots, and 10x Genomics to name a few. Our Legacy Award is given out to entities and organizations that have been part of the fabric of the East Bay community. Past winners include Cal State East Bay, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and the Port of Oakland. Browse the list of our cutting-edge companies and organizations over the years: