2026 EDITION
MONDO INNOVATOR AWARDS
Celebrating outstanding individuals making a profound impact on our industry.
2026 INNOVATOR AWARD WINNERS
Meet the trailblazers who received The Mondo in 2026.
Educator
Serona Elton
Chair, Music Industry Program, Frost School of Music, University of Miami
Innovator
Matthew Tilley
Head of Artist and Industry Development, beatbread
Entrepreneurship
Vickie Nauman
Founder, CrossBorderWorks
Leadership
Athan Billias
Executive Board, Midi Association
Use of Music in Media
Toko Nagata
Music Supervisor
Collaboration
Prem Akkaraju
CEO, Stability AI
Advocacy for Doing Good
Bosko Kante
Co-Founder, HiiiWAV
Artistry
Lucy Liyou
Artist
RECOGNIZING INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT
Nominees are recognized across eight categories spanning the full spectrum of music, tech, and culture.
01
LEADERSHIP
02
INNOVATION
03
ARTISTRY
04
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
05
EDUCATION
06
COLLABORATION
07
USE OF MUSIC IN MEDIA
08
ADVOCACY FOR DOING GOOD
NOMINATIONS OPEN
WHO CAN SUBMIT A NOMINEE?
All professionals currently working or seeking work in the music, technology and affiliated industries (including students engaged in related academic business curricula intending to join the work force in these industries).
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Mondo Innovator Awards celebrate outstanding individuals who are making a profound impact on our industry.
Via an open nomination process from ending August 31, 2026, eligible nominees in each of the above categories shall be considered to be awarded The Mondo for 2026.
The deadline for 2026 nominations was August 31, 2026. Nominations have closed.
TIMELINE
JANUARY 21, 2026
Nominee submission opens
-
AUGUST 31, 2026
Nominee submission closes
OCTOBER 13, 2026
Winners announced at Mondo.NYC 2026,
Arlo Williamsburg Hotel
Winners announced at
Mondo.NYC 2026,
RECOGNIZE THE PEOPLE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MUSIC
2026 nominations have closed.