Every year around this time, we get excited—not because of summer Fridays or beach plans (though we won’t complain about those)—but because it’s TMC Labs Innovation Awards season. These awards are one of the highlights of our year, and for good reason: we get a front-row seat to some of the most interesting innovation happening in the UC and communications space today.
We launched the TMC Labs Innovation Awards with one simple but ambitious goal: to recognize real innovation. Not incremental updates. Not a new label on the same old product. We’re talking about actual, technical, market-moving breakthroughs. And that principle has guided us every year since.
What makes these awards different is that they’re not for everyone—and that’s by design. This is a more exclusive honor, reserved for companies pushing the envelope and reimagining what’s possible in unified communications. That exclusivity is exactly what makes the evaluation process so engaging. It feels like being invited into a lab where the future is already being built.
When we sit down to review Unified Communications industry submissions, we never quite know what we’re going to see. Some entries come from industry giants introducing entirely new frameworks. Others come from upstarts with fresh ideas that are turning heads. And it’s that mix—the bold new players and the established innovators—that makes this process so rewarding.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of recognizing household names like NEC, Dialpad, Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya, and Nextiva. These are companies that don’t just keep up with the industry—they often set the pace. They continue to redefine how we collaborate, communicate, and solve problems across organizations of all sizes.
At the same time, we’ve celebrated emerging standouts like NUSO, Wildix, and Sharpen. These companies have brought new energy to the market, introducing creative takes on AI agents, rethinking user experience, and carving out valuable space in a highly competitive ecosystem. Some of them surprised us with how mature and impactful their solutions already are—proof that you don’t need a decades-long legacy to drive meaningful change.
What ties all these winners together is their willingness to challenge norms and focus on actual outcomes. We’re not just looking for flash—we want to see functionality, relevance, and a clear advantage for users. What does the solution do differently? Why is it better? And how does it move the needle for IT teams, channel partners, or end users?
Each application we receive is carefully reviewed by the TMC Labs team. We debate, we test, we ask questions. We dig into the architecture, the market positioning, and the user stories. It’s not a rubber stamp process. It’s thoughtful, rigorous, and honestly—it’s a lot of fun.
Part of what makes it so energizing is that we learn so much from the process. These submissions reveal the leading-edge trends shaping the future of UC. Whether it’s real-time AI integration, seamless multi-channel collaboration, or end-to-end automation, we see it all. These aren’t just concepts on a whiteboard—they’re real-world tools in production, delivering real results.
We also love the stories behind the tech. Some submissions come from companies that identified a specific pain point and solved it in a clean, elegant way. Others are building platforms that disrupt old assumptions entirely. Some are evolving quickly, while others have quietly built rock-solid systems that just work. The diversity of approaches keeps us on our toes.
And even though this is an awards program, it’s not about “winning” in the usual sense. It’s about spotlighting meaningful innovation and giving credit where it’s due. We want to celebrate those who are thinking differently and building smarter. Especially in a market as mature as UC, it’s always exciting to see new ideas—and even more exciting when they’re already making a difference.
To the companies who’ve submitted in the past: thank you. You’ve helped us keep this award program sharp, relevant, and rewarding. And to those thinking about submitting for the first time—go for it. Whether your company is a longtime player or a rising disruptor, we’d love to see what you’re working on.
So yes, we look forward to this season every year. It’s a chance to get inspired, to have meaningful conversations, and to learn what’s next in a space we’re proud to help shape. The TMC Labs Innovation Awards aren’t just about honoring great work—they’re a celebration of creativity, problem-solving, and the power of pushing boundaries.
We can’t wait to see what this year brings.
Nominations for 2025 TMC Labs Innovation Awards for UC are being accepted through next Tuesday, July 15.
Rich Tehrani serves as CEO of TMC and chairman of ITEXPO #TECHSUPERSHOW Feb 10-12, 2026 and is CEO of RT Advisors and is a Registered Representative (investment banker) with and offering securities through Four Points Capital Partners LLC (Four Points) (Member FINRA/SIPC). He handles capital/debt raises as well as M&A. RT Advisors is not owned by Four Points.
The above is not an endorsement or recommendation to buy/sell any security or sector mentioned. No companies mentioned above are current or past clients of RT Advisors.
The views and opinions expressed above are those of the participants. While believed to be reliable, the information has not been independently verified for accuracy. Any broad, general statements made herein are provided for context only and should not be construed as exhaustive or universally applicable.
