Recognizing outstanding achievements in technology, across five distinct programs

Rewarding innovation and excellence in cloud computing, software-as-a-service, artificial intelligence, cloud security, and financial technology.

All five programs run annually, offering multiple opportunities for success throughout the year.

The competition in each program is always tough. However, you don’t have to win an award for participation to be worthwhile — being named on the shortlist, or being a finalist also brings rewards.

In each program, there are three entry types to choose from: Single-Entry, Multiple-Category Entry, and Success Suite. Each comes with promotional benefits as you progress through the program.

Single Category Entry

  • Enter one category

Single awards entry into one program category. Especially suitable where a solution excels in a particular industry or niche. The most popular entry type, ideal for small organizations or marketing/PR budgets.

Multiple Categories Entry

  • Enter unlimited categories

Almost double your chances of recognition. Become celebrated for technological innovation and expertise in a certain sector, or across numerous industries and applications. Ideal for growing organizations.

Success Suite Entry

  • Unlimited categories + advertising

Maximum impact for the entire year, irrespective of awards progress. Cement brand awareness with marketing and PR placement. Feedback on submissions, helping future entries. Perfect for enterprise and influence.

You only need to submit one form, even if entering multiple categories. Whichever you choose, all of the following are included in your entry fee as an application successfully reaches each stage of your chosen awards program:

All entries that make the shortlist in any category receive a Shortlist Promotion Pack, containing:

Shortlist badges and logos you may use in your online and print marketing collateral

Pro-forma press release to help promote your success

Coverage opportunities in the international press

Placement of a thought-leadership article, written by you and including a link to your site, published on the highly-ranked Cloud Awards website. Promotion of the article on social media.

All entries that make the finalist stage receive a Finalist Promotion Pack, containing:

Upgraded ‘Finalist’ logos and badges you may use in your online and print marketing collateral

An updated pro-forma press release announcing your placement as a finalist

Coverage opportunities in the international press

Placement of a second thought-leadership article, including link and promotion on social media.

Winners receive a Winners Promotion Pack, containing:

Upgraded ‘Winners’ logo and badges you may use in online and print marketing collateral

Updated pro-forma press release publicizing your win

Placement of a third thought leadership article, including link and promotion on social media

A video interview opportunity discussing and promoting your success, published to our YouTube channel and promoted on social media.

Winners also receive a prestigious trophy at no extra cost (please note we can currently only deliver to addresses in North America).

Success Suite Entrants Get Even More…

On top of multiple category entry to any one program — and all the associated benefits — Success Suite entries get a range of additional perks included within the entry fee:

  • Submission Feedback: Get expert guidance on how to improve your submission for future entries, setting you up for future awards success.

  • Two Promoted Advertorials: Submit two pieces talking directly about the benefits of your product or service. The pieces may carry a link to your site, will be promoted on our social channels, and remain on the Cloud Awards website indefinitely, providing a long-term means of driving extra traffic to your product/service.

  • Banner Ad on a Category Page: Be the first thing people see when searching for your niche. Align with excellence as a ‘featured participant’ in a category page of your choice with a banner ad or logo placement, including a link to your site or advertorial piece. Applies for 12 months.

  • More Published Articles: Become eligible for a thought-leadership piece for each and every one of your individual category successes.

  • Skip the Queue: Content for publication is fast-tracked through our editorial process.

  • Head to the Success Suite page to find out more…

More detail on the benefits of entering any Cloud Awards program

Any submission entitles one nominated organization to enter one product/project/solution into one awards program.

We try our best to shortlist as many standout entries as possible, although naturally with such a high level of competition not all entries are guaranteed to be shortlisted.

If your submission demonstrates the necessary passion for innovation and excellence, alongside a clear commitment to your teams and customers, you have every chance of making the shortlist, and unlocking the benefits of your entry.

Winning organizations that are able to provide a US address will receive a trophy. If you are unable to provide a US address please contact us, and we may be able to help.

Please ensure your address is correct at the time of submission.

The Cloud Awards programs are the de-facto recognition platforms for excellence in cloud computing, SaaS, AI, cloud security, and FinTech, respectively. All awards participants who make the shortlist stage receive a number of images in varying formats suitable for print and online, to help you publicize your achievement. You might use the badges on your email signatures, exhibition stands, presentations, or on your company website. Please observe the style guidelines, and use the appropriate, current, logos.

Finalists and Winners receive upgraded logos appropriate to the stage the submission reaches.

We encourage all candidates who reach the shortlist stage to publicize their achievement with a press release, which we supply. By harnessing the collective marketing power of all shortlisted organizations – from the agile start-ups to the larger blue-chips – we create a buzz around your services.

You are welcome to edit the press release as you see fit, including deleting or trimming down the quote from the Awards spokesperson. As long as you do not alter the meaning or misquote the Cloud Awards team, you do not require sign-off from us before you go ahead and make your announcement by the embargo date given on the pro-forma release. You may publish at any time on the announcement day given, following Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5).

Finalists and Winners receive updated pro-forma press releases in the Finalist and Winners Promotion Packs.

As internationally accepted awards programs for excellence, you can expect to leverage your awards win with press mentions. The Cloud Awards team has a growing list of press contacts to which we disseminate the news, and we issue our own press releases at the shortlist, finalist and winners’ stages of the process to celebrate your win. If you have a particular news angle which has synergy with any of the Cloud Awards programs, please also let us know.

All shortlisted candidates within any Cloud Awards program are eligible to publish a self-authored article, to be listed in the ‘News and Publications‘ section of the Cloud Awards website.

Please refer to the full editorial guidelines provided in the shortlist/finalist/winner’s promotion pack, but in summary:

  • Articles must be unique and original content, and never published elsewhere.
  • Must not take the form of blatant advertisement. The piece should offer thought-leadership, and offer value to visitors to the site.
  • Be between 1,000 – 2,500 words.
  • May contain links, including one to your own website.
  • A promotional section may be included separate to the article content.
  • Submitted articles are edited by the Cloud Awards team, and published at our discretion.
  • Submitted articles are placed in a queue, and typically published on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. 6 – 8 week lead times are not unusual.

Finalists may provide a second article. Winners may provide a third and fourth article.

Winners are invited to submit a recording of their CEO, or other nominated spokesperson, discussing the organization’s award win. Recording guidelines, and interview questions, are provided in the Winners Promotion Pack.

The recording is edited to include title cards, other logos/graphics, and questions appearing to be asked by our AI Avatar. The finished video is published on The Cloud Awards YouTube channel.

Success Suite entrants are entitled to receive expert feedback on their submission from the judging panel.

Feedback comprises a score (and a comparison of how this matched against the winning entry, if your entry did not win), and some written feedback giving guidance on how the submission might be improved. The feedback should give great insight into how to craft your next Cloud Awards submission, increasing your chances of success next time you enter.

Feedback is provided after the program’s winners have been announced.

Success Suite entrants are invited to submit two advertorial pieces, published to the Cloud Awards website. The pieces remain on the site indefinitely, and will be promoted by us through our social channels.

The content should not exceed 750 words, and inform the reader how your solution/organization solves a problem or adds value. Calls to action, such as a link to your site, invitation to an event, or starting a trial may be included.

Success Suite entrants will be listed as a ‘Featured Participant’ on one category page of their choice. The category must be one that has been entered as part of the Success Suite submission.

The listing consists of either a banner advertisement or logo, including a link to either your website, or an advertorial piece. The listing will be active for 12 months from the date of your Success Suite submission.