What are the MIDI Innovation Awards?

The MIDI Innovation Awards, established in 2021, celebrate groundbreaking advancements in MIDI  technology. Organized collaboratively by The MIDI Association, NAMM, and Music Hackspace, the awards highlight innovative products and projects that utilize MIDI 1.0 and 2.0 in novel ways, emphasizing MIDI’s role in fostering musical creativity.

The awards are open to individuals, artists, and companies working with MIDI to develop innovative products or interactive experiences. Categories include:

• Commercial Hardware Products
• Commercial Software Products
• Start Ups*, Prototypes and Non-Commercial Hardware Products
• Startups*, Prototypes and Non-Commercial Software Products
• Artistic/Visual Projects or Installations
• NEW: Best MIDI 2.0 product (across all categories)

*Startup have less than $250,000 in annual revenue. 

Winners gain opportunities to present their innovations on a global stage, with prizes such as exhibition spaces at major events like the NAMM Show, and Music China. They also receive support from The MIDI Association for developing MIDI 2.0 prototypes.

The MIDI Innovation Awards are also proud to work with partners including Sound On Sound, the world’s leading music technology magazine, contributing prizes and press coverage for the competition.

Timeline

• March 18th: Registrations open
• JULY, 08, 2025: REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 
• July 14th, 2025: Voting starts
• August 04th, 2025: Voting closes, jury deliberation starts
• August 08th, 2025: Finalists announced
• September 20th, 2025: Live show online – winners revealed

It is easy to enter by clicking the link below and filling out a simple web form.