2026 EDITION
MONDO INNOVATOR AWARDS
Celebrating outstanding individuals making a profound impact on our industry.
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,
2025 INNOVATOR AWARD WINNERS
Meet the trailblazers who received The Mondo in 2025.
ADVOCACY FOR DOING GOOD
Andreea Gleeson
Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore
EDUCATION
Larry Miller
Clinical Professor, NYU Steinhardt, & Executive Director, Sony Audio Institute
LEADERSHIP
Dr. Richard James Burgess
Chief Executive Officer, A2IM
ARTISTRY
Duo Doronzo
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Liz Sunde
Co-Founder, Music to Life
COLLABORATION/DEAL
Mag Rodriguez
Chief Executive Officer, Even
USE OF MUSIC IN MEDIA
Gregg Lehrman
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Output
INNOVATION
Daniel Clark
Chief Executive Officer, Brain.FM
RECOGNIZE THE PEOPLE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MUSIC
2026 nominations have closed.