Innovation Platform Adds Tech Category in 20th Year

Radical Innovation, a nonprofit platform that helps turn big ideas in hospitality and travel into reality, is celebrating two decades of impact by adding something new to the mix.

For the first time in its 20-year history, the competition now includes a dedicated Technology Category alongside its traditional Project and Product tracks. The expansion recognizes how deeply technology now shapes every part of the hospitality experience, from hotel design to guest services.

Founded by John Hardy and produced by The Hardy Group, Radical Innovation has spent two decades connecting creative thinkers with the resources they need to succeed. The platform accepts submissions from professionals and students alike, including designers, architects, engineers, industrial designers, and tech founders.

Submissions are open now through August 3, 2026, giving innovators more than a year to polish their ideas. Winners will be announced October 22, 2026 at a ceremony in New York City, where finalists present to an audience packed with developers, investors, and industry leaders who can help make their visions real.

The competition pairs finalists with experienced mentors who help refine concepts before the final presentation. Winners take home cash prizes, industry recognition, and something potentially more valuable: direct connections to technology leaders, operators, and investors eager to support fresh thinking.

Student winners get an additional opportunity to apply for a full scholarship and assistantship through the program's university partners. That combination of funding, education, and industry access can launch entire careers.

The Ripple Effect

What makes this expansion meaningful goes beyond one competition. By creating space specifically for technology innovators, Radical Innovation is helping ensure the hospitality industry continues evolving to meet changing needs and expectations.

The finalists and winners from this program join a network of past innovators who have gone on to shape how we travel, stay, and gather. Each breakthrough idea creates possibilities for better experiences, more sustainable practices, and solutions to challenges the industry hasn't solved yet.

For young creators and tech founders wondering if their ideas have a place in hospitality, this new category sends a clear message: your innovations matter, and people are ready to help you succeed.

Twenty years of supporting radical ideas is worth celebrating, and the best part is knowing the next game-changing innovation might come from someone reading the submission guidelines today.