JAX Innovation Awards 2012

The JAX Innovation Awards celebrate the culture of innovation that epitomises the Java^TM ecosystem. The awards this year will take place on the 10th July in San Francisco, as part of our JAXconf.

Our mission is simple:

Reward those technologies, companies, organisations and individuals that make outstanding contributions to Java.

This is a difficult task...

Simply because Java is so vast! It's a programming language, a platform, a collection of JVM languages, frameworks and tools. Java is a culture and a technological way of being... Java is an entire ecosystem.

The JAX Innovation Awards are not something that any one company or small collection of individuals can conduct. To reflect the entire Java ecosystem, we need a collective, collaborative effort from across the globe.

YOU nominate the individuals, companies and technologies who you think deserve recognition.
We then ask a panel of independent experts to create a shortlist of 5 finalists in each category.
YOU have the final say in who wins, in an open Community Vote. All 15 finalists will be invited to the JAX Conference San Francisco in July 2012 where the winners will be announced at the JAX Awards ceremony.

Voice your opinion and help us celebrate the innovation we are all proudly a part of!

What are the categories?

The JAX Innovation Awards recognize innovation in the following three categories:

Most Innovative Java Technology

This is awarded to the most innovative new Java technology that:

solves a particularly challenging problem in a creative way
is characterised by technical brilliance in both architecture and implementation
enriches the Java ecosystem in terms of practicality and relevance
brings a new perspective to the application of Java technology

Most Innovative Java Company

This is awarded to the most innovative company that:

is characterised by ingenuity and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the Java ecosystem
demonstrates an inventive business model based on Java technologies
leverages the potential commercial value of the Java platform in an original and inspiring way

Top Java Ambassador

This is awarded to the person or group who:

shows outstanding commitment as an advocate of the Java ecosystem
makes a significant contribution to the establishment of an open culture of communication and innovation within the Java community
helps to increase the value potential of the Java ecosystem, through technical or organisational accomplishments

Nomination & Judging Process

The winners will be determined in a three stage process:

Anyone can nominate a technology, company or person/group for each of the three categories. You can either nominate yourself or your company/project/technology, or nominate other candidates whom you deem worthy of the award. Simply fill in the submission form with all the relevant information. Nominations close on the 7th May.
Once submissions are received, a panel of independent experts will create a shortlist of 5 finalists in each category based on all of the nominations. Then it’s back to you for the public vote.
Once the shortlist is announced on May 28th, we invite the worldwide Java communities, organisations and companies to determine the winners. Winners will be announced on 10th July at JAXconf, San Francisco. The panel will award a special Jury prize to one of the submitted nominees, in acknowledgement of their unique contribution and positive impact on the Java ecosystem.

What are the prizes?

In addition to being acknowledged best-in-class by peers from the entire Java ecosystem and by a panel of Java experts, winners will receive:

Most Innovative Java Technology - $2,500
Most Innovative Java Company - $2,500
Top Java Community Ambassador - $2,500
Special Jury Award - $2,500.

What else do I need to know?