HONORING FUTURE-MINDED COMPANIES

SAP Innovation Awards 2025

Customers and partners achieving powerful economic, environmental, or social impact, shaping a better future for all.
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About the Innovation Awards

For 12 years, the SAP Innovation Awards have celebrated companies that leverage SAP products to adapt to evolving business realities and drive positive impact.

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Recognizing customer and partner successes

The annual SAP Innovation Awards recognize forward-thinking organizations that harness the latest SAP products and cloud technologies—such as AI and generative AI—to thrive in a changing landscape.

Learn more about celebrating our success together 
Meet our 2025 champions 

How to enter

OPTIONAL

Take the eligibility self-assessment

Before developing your pitch deck, use the online form in the link below to see if you’re eligible to participate.

Check eligibility 

Prepare your pitch deck

Submit a compelling, well-structured story using the pitch deck template and guidance document. You can refine your pitch deck until the submission deadline.

Download template 
Download guidance document 

Submit your entry

Use the link below to complete the entry form and upload your pitch deck in PPT format.

Note: Submissions for 2025 are now closed

SAP Innovation Awards News

Stay informed with the latest news on the SAP Innovation Awards.

Learn more

Award benefits

Special prizes

Win an exclusive trophy, as well as a complimentary pass to SAP Sapphire Orlando or a US$1,000 SAP4Good donation voucher.

Learn about Global Giving 

Celebration event

Get invited to an exclusive celebration at SAP Sapphire Orlando.

Note: Entries from non-eligible countries, governments, and government-related entities are not entitled to receive charitable donations and SAP Sapphire Orlando Pass.

SAP Sapphire Orlando 

Networking and promotional opportunities

Gain access to networking and promotional opportunities to enhance your brand.

Learn more 

Award categories

Winners will be named in the following categories. Participants must be using SAP solutions in production (live) for all categories.

Industry Leader

Live customers who use SAP products to create new business models, connect with customers, innovate processes, or change how their industry conducts business.

Partner Paragon

Partners who’ve developed a next-gen application deployed by at least one customer. The app should use SAP BTP and be licensed by the SAP Build or Tech adoption program.

Transformation Titan

Live customers who have implemented at least one SAP BTP solution to solve business problems and accelerate innovation.

Business Network Innovator

Live customers using cloud solutions from SAP to transform supply chains, processes, or business networks to future-proof the business and grow without limits.

Cloud ERP Champion

Live customers who transform and future-proof their businesses with SAP cloud ERP solutions to foster growth and drive innovation.

Customer Experience

Live customers who achieve business transformation by using cloud solutions from SAP to create, develop, and deliver delightful customer experiences.

People Experience

Live customers who achieve business transformation by using cloud solutions from SAP to create, develop, and deliver exceptional employee experiences.

Services Superstar

Live customers who use cloud solutions from SAP to exceed business goals, optimize IT resources, increase user enablement, and improve productivity or learning.

Sustainability Hero

Live customers using cloud solutions from SAP to help build an inclusive economy, shape a sustainable future, and create positive social or environmental impact.

AI Excellence

Live customers using SAP Business AI capabilities to revolutionize business processes, supercharge efficiency and productivity, and improve the future of work.

Award deadlines

Learn about important dates for this year’s awards.

Entry submissions

January 15 to March 14, 2025

Judging period

March 14 to April 16,  2025

Finalists announcement

April 16, 2025

Winners announcement

April 23, 2025

Judging criteria

Judges will review and score the entries to select the finalists and winners based on a set of specific criteria, which include:

Use case creativity: 

  • How compelling and disruptive is the use case?

  • Does it involve a big idea and innovative approaches?

  • Can it drive significant change?  

 

Outcome: 

  • How compelling are the results?

  • What is the impact on individuals and society?

  • Does it show how the customer solved a business problem within the context of their industry?  

 

Innovation: 

  • Is it applying a range of SAP solutions to form agile, integrated, digitized business processes to become more customer-focused, resilient, profitable, and sustainable?

  • Were SAP solutions used in unique ways to support new business models, connections, or industry convergence?  

2025 champions

2024 champions

True stories. Real challenges. Impressive outcomes. Browse the 2024 SAP Innovation Awards winners, finalists, and outstanding achievers below.

SAP Innovation Awards newsletter

Subscribe to the SAP Innovation Awards newsletter to learn more about the program.

Subscribe

Other SAP awards programs

Explore SAP’s many prestigious recognition programs for customers and partners, including awards dedicated to specific regions and products.

Customer Success Awards for SAP UKI

The Customer Success Awards for SAP UKI honor customers using SAP products to transform their businesses and create a positive economic, environmental, or social impact in the region.

Learn more 

SAP ACE Awards

In conjunction with INDUS (SAP’s India User Group), the SAP ACE Awards celebrate organisations that demonstrate significant business impact using SAP technology and solutions.

Learn more 

SAP Best Tech Awards

The SAP Best Tech Awards celebrate the achievements of the top companies in Australia and New Zealand that use SAP products to turn insight into action, drive innovation, and transform their businesses.

Learn more 

Concur Innovation Awards

The SAP Concur Innovation Awards celebrate global stories of innovation, focusing on how customers and partners are improving their business processes with SAP Concur solutions.

Learn more 

SAP Customer Excellence Awards for SEA

The SAP Customer Excellence Awards for Southeast Asia (SEA) commemorate organizations that use cloud solutions from SAP to drive business innovation throughout the region.

Learn more 

SAP Heroes

The SAP Heroes program honors businesses that drive innovation and success with SAP technology and solutions, excelling in their fields and leading impactful go-lives.

Learn more 

SAP Pinnacle Awards

The SAP Pinnacle Awards showcase top-performing partners who demonstrate their ability to understand customer business needs and deliver unmatched value using SAP technology.

Learn more 

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the SAP Innovation Awards program.

 

1. The submission close date is extended to March 14, 2025.

 

2. Spotlight on customer and partner stories that showcase generative AI scenarios.

 

3. A quick assessment tool to enhance the eligibility process.

 

4. Invites for winners and finalists to the SAP Innovation Awards reception event at SAP Sapphire Orlando 2025.

 

5. Streamlined award categories:

  • Industry Leader

  • Partner Paragon

  • Transformation Titan

  • Business Network Innovator

  • Cloud ERP Champion

  • Customer Experience

  • People Experience

  • Services Superstar 

6. Additional specialty categories:

  • Sustainability Hero

  • AI Excellence

  • October 24, 2024: Pitch deck template is available 

  • January 13, 2025: Submissions open 

  • March 14, 2025: Submissions close 

  • April 16, 2025: Finalists announced 

  • April 23, 2025: Winners announced 

  • For all categories, entrants must have a live deployment of one or more SAP solutions.

  • For the Partner Paragon category, entrants must have a next-gen application intended to be sold to customers and deployed by at least one customer. The app should use SAP BTP and be licensed by the SAP Build or Tech adoption program.

Please note that SAP partners submitting from within their own organizations are considered SAP customers for the purpose of the awards and must identify themselves as “SAP customer” in the entry form.

All countries can participate in the SAP Innovation Awards and receive recognition as winners, but only some are eligible for monetary prizes.

 

The following countries are eligible for monetary prizes in the 2025 SAP Innovation Awards: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada (excluding Quebec), Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Kazakhstan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela.

 

Each year, the SAP Innovation Awards team works with SAP’s legal counsel to expand the list of eligible countries, i.e., verify local laws governing contests. The application that is the subject of the entry must be deployed in an eligible country or have been developed and intended to be sold in an eligible country to qualify for the monetary prizes.

Each winner will receive a trophy and a complimentary pass to attend SAP Sapphire Orlando 2025, our signature and largest event that showcases cutting-edge advancements in business and technology innovation. Taking place annually in Orlando between May and June, SAP Sapphire is a highly anticipated gathering that offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and learning.

 

Alternatively, winners have the option to choose a US$1,000 SAP4Good donation voucher, allowing them to make a positive impact on their chosen charitable cause. In addition, winners and finalists will be offered several opportunities to participate in promotional activities such as podcasts, events, videos, media/analysis interviews, social media, and more.

 

Each finalist will receive a plaque in honor of their achievements.

 

Note: Prizes are subject to change. Travel and expenses to attend the SAP Sapphire event in Orlando, FL, are not provided.

Government and government-related entities’ employees may participate but are not eligible for monetary prizes. They may receive recognition in the form of a trophy.

 

The same terms and conditions apply to participants from non-eligible countries or with deployments in non-eligible countries.

There are two rounds of judging:

  • Round one: A panel of SAP experts carefully reviews all entries to select the finalists.

  • Round two: Finalists are evaluated and scored by a panel of judges composed of SAP experts based on the judging criteria, which can be found here.

Particularly compelling entries that aren’t selected will still be eligible to receive formal recognition as Outstanding Achievers.

  • Use case creativity:

  • How compelling and disruptive is the use case?

  • Does it involve a big idea and innovative approaches?

  • Can it drive significant change?  

Outcome:

  • How compelling are the results?

  • What is the impact on individuals and society?

  • Does it show how the customer solved a business problem within the context of their industry?   

Innovation:

  • Is it applying a range of SAP solutions to form agile, integrated, digitized business processes to become more customer-focused, resilient, profitable, and sustainable?

  • Were SAP solutions used in unique ways to support new business models, connections, or industry convergence?  

For all categories except Partner Paragon:

  • Partners can submit on behalf of a customer. 

  • Partners using SAP solutions within their own organizations can submit as customers. 

For the Partner Pagagon category only:

  • Partners can submit if they meet the following criteria: 

    • Developed a next-gen application intended to be sold to customers and licensed via the SAP Build or Tech adoption program. 

    • Deployed to at least one customer. 

    • Using at least one cloud technology from SAP BTP. 

Please note that no proof-of-concept entries are allowed.

You can submit an entry by following these steps in the How to Enter section:

  1. Take the eligibility self-assessment (optional): Use the online tool to check your eligibility before developing your pitch deck.
  2. Prepare your pitch deck: Craft a compelling entry using the pitch deck template and guidance document. Once posted, you can edit your pitch deck until the submission deadline.
  3. Submit your entry: Complete the online entry form with information about yourself, the participant, and your company. Please also indicate which promotional opportunities you’re interested in participating in. Remember to upload the pitch deck in PPT format with the company logo, an optional participant photo, and the participating SAP partner logo (if applicable). 

The awards team will review each entry for eligibility and completeness. Qualified entries will be posted on the awards website. Entries must be in English.

Submissions must be deployed in production (go-live). No proof-of-concept entries are allowed.

  • Gain global recognition as an innovation leader​.

  • Win a trophy, prizes, and assets for promotion and social media.​

  • Connect with prominent business leaders and SAP executives at an exclusive celebration event.

  • Participate in promotional activities, including podcasts, events, videos, media/analysis interviews, and social media initiatives.

  • Support a good cause with the US$1,000 SAP4Good donation voucher (if chosen instead of the SAP Sapphire Orlando pass).

Please note that entries from public sector companies, government and government-related entities, and non-eligible countries are ineligible for the donation voucher or  SAP Sapphire Orlando pass.

  • Gain global recognition as an innovation leader. 

  • Build credibility with your customers, prospects, and industry peers. 

  • Showcase your customer’s successes and position them as innovators. 

  • Promote your role as a trusted partner. 

  • Promote your innovative solution to SAP employees and customers. 

  • Increase your exposure and connect with top SAP executives. 

You can view previous winning entries in the “2024 Winners” section. Submissions for the 2025 awards will be posted as soon as they’re verified.

You can download the SAP Innovation Awards logos by clicking the following link: 2025 SAP Innovation Awards Logo

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