Coming Soon
Recognizing breakthrough inventors and their technologies for industry impact.
Inventorium 2026
Inventorium Conference + Awards 2026
Building on the success of our inaugural event, the Inventors Foundation proudly presents the Second Annual Inventorium Awards, now expanded into a full-day experience with the addition of the Inventorium Conference.
This unique platform brings together inventors, in-house IP counsel, law firms, and technology leaders at the intersection of innovation and intellectual property.
About the Event
Where Great Ideas Become Great Patents
The 2026 Conference focuses on the front end of the patenting process—the critical stage where ideas are shaped into high-quality intellectual property.
Key themes include:
Invention disclosure development
Effective collaboration between inventors and legal counsel
Crafting strong, defensible patent applications
Celebrating Innovation on a Global Stage
The Inventorium Awards recognize inventors whose patented innovations are shaping industries and driving impact worldwide.
Award categories include:
Emerging Innovator Award
Prolific Innovator Award
Distinguished Innovator Award
A Global Innovation Audience
Inventorium 2026 convenes a diverse and influential audience, including:
Inventors and founders
In-house IP leaders
Law firms and legal professionals
Corporate innovation teams
From invention disclosure to global recognition—Inventorium 2026 brings the full innovation lifecycle together in one place.
The Awards Process
Every great celebration begins with a spark. The journey to the Inventorium Awards starts when nominations arrive — from the public, our staff, law firms, corporations, and even inventors themselves.
From there, a panel of experts carefully reviews each nomination to ensure it meets the highest standards and showcases technologies with true societal and/or industry impact.
Those who rise above are placed on a shortlist and passed to an independent jury. After spirited discussions and multiple rounds of voting, the jury narrows the field, identifying the finalists and, ultimately, the winners.
Just before the ceremony, we unveil the names of the remarkable inventors who have made the final cut. Then, on Awards Day, the spotlight shines brightest as the winners in each category are revealed — honoring the creativity, vision, and brilliance that drive human progress.
INVENTORIUM CONFERENCE + AWARDS 2026
From Idea to Impact: Celebrating and Empowering the Inventor
Monday, November 16, 2026, in San Francisco, CA
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8:30 – 9:15 AM │ NETWORKING COFFEE
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9:15 – 9:30 AM │ OPENING REMARKS
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9:30 – 10:00 AM │ KEYNOTE
The Inventor's Moment: Why Now Is the Best Time to Invent
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10:00 – 10:45 AM │ PANEL 1
The Inventor's Voice: Getting Your Idea Recognized
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10:45 – 11:00 AM │ COFFEE BREAK
• Sponsor engagement opportunity + informal networking
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11:00 – 11:45 AM │ PANEL 2
From Your Laptop Notes/IMs to a Filed Patent
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11:45 AM – 12:15 PM │ FIRESIDE CHAT
A Spark Story: The Invention Behind the Patent
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12:15 – 1:00 PM │ NETWORKING LUNCH
• Sponsored tables with optional themes: AI · biotech · hardware · independent inventors
• High-value time for inventors to connect with peers and IP supporters
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1:00 – 1:40 PM │ PANEL 3
AI as Your Invention Partner: Tools Every Inventor Should Know
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1:40 – 2:00 PM │ CLOSING KEYNOTE
You Are the Innovation — What Comes Next
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2:00 – 4:00 PM │ THE INVENTORIUM AWARDS CEREMONY
Honoring the Inventors Who Are Shaping the Future
The highlight of the Inventorium Conference — a celebration of the inventors,
innovators, and IP champions whose work is driving positive change in the world.
Schedule
Three Categories of Awards
Emerging Innovator Award
Prolific Innovator Award
Distinguished Innovator Award
*Nominations are accepted worldwide, with a focus on three key regions—North America, Europe, and Asia—ensuring global representation while recognizing significant contributions within each region.
2026 Inventorium Awards – Nomination Criteria
Download the full nomination criteria and prepare your submission for the
2026 Inventorium Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Inventorium Awards?
The Inventorium Awards, presented by the Inventors Foundation, celebrate outstanding inventors and innovators whose patented contributions have advanced technology, science, and society. This event recognizes creativity, measurable impact, and leadership across IT, engineering, and scientific fields.
2. When and where will the Awards take place?
The 2025 Inventorium Awards will occur on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. PT. The event will be live-streamed worldwide from Silicon Valley, enabling participants to join from anywhere.
3. Who can attend the event?
The Awards are open to inventors, industry professionals, legal experts, corporate leaders, students, and anyone passionate about innovation. Registration details will be shared on our website closer to the event.
4. How do I nominate someone for an award?
Nominations are accepted globally. You can submit nominations through our website. The nomination form lists specific criteria for each award category—Emerging Innovator, Prolific Innovator, and Distinguished Innovator.
5. How are Nominees evaluated?
The Inventorium Awards honor inventors whose breakthroughs shape industries and improve lives. Each award category is guided by clear criteria - such as professional experience, impact of patented innovations, and contributions to society - to ensure fairness and transparency. These criteria are not strict checkboxes but guiding principles. Our independent jury considers them alongside the broader spirit of innovation, allowing room to celebrate extraordinary achievements that go beyond measurable benchmarks.
6. Is there a cost to attend?
The live-stream will be free for general viewers. More information will be posted in the coming months.
7. Can I watch the event if I miss the live stream?
Yes. A recorded replay of the ceremony will be available on the Inventors Foundation website and shared across our social media channels.
8. How can my organization get involved?
Organizations can participate as sponsors, nominate inventors, or host watch parties. Sponsorship packages (Diamond, Platinum, Gold) include visibility opportunities, press coverage, and networking benefits.
9. Who organizes the event?
The Inventorium Awards are organized by the Inventors Foundation, a Silicon Valley–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recognizing inventors, protecting intellectual property, and inspiring future innovators.
10. Who should I contact for questions or media inquiries?
For general questions, please email awards@inventorsfoundation.org. For media or sponsorship inquiries, contact our team directly.
Join the Inventorium Awards Event
Monday, November 16, 2026 | 9am PST
Celebrate outstanding inventors and innovators whose patented contributions have advanced technology, science, and society.
Upcoming events
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Awards Nomination
Coming Soon
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Inventorium Awards Event 2025
Livestreaming Mon, Nov 16th, 2026 at 9am PST