Italian Excellence Award unveils first 21 nominations for 2026

The Italian Excellence Award has announced its first 21 nominations for the 13th edition, with finalists spanning Dubai, Washington, DC, Luxembourg, Naples and Sicily. The October 16 ceremony in Washington will spotlight Italian talent in technology, business, culture, hospitality and memory-driven institutions.

Why it matters: - The 13th Italian Excellence Award is widening its focus beyond classic Made in Italy sectors to include technology, research, hospitality, culture and diaspora-led entrepreneurship. - The nominations reflect how Italian expertise now operates across global hubs such as Dubai, Washington, DC and Luxembourg, not just within Italy. - Organizers say the award is meant to connect people and stories that can build trust, opportunity and long-term reputational value.

What happened: - The Italian Excellence Award announced the first 21 official nominations for its 13th edition on August 31, 2026. - The awards ceremony is set for Friday, October 16, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. - The award was founded in 2014 by economic journalist Massimo Lucidi. - Lucidi also leads the E-novation Foundation.

The details: - Michele Fiscalini, CEO and co-founder of Red Rock Technology, is nominated from Dubai for work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, food security and sovereign systems. - Eni Joule – Business School is nominated in the Business Culture and Innovation category as a model for entrepreneurial education and new business skills. - Carlo Ventura of Setti Ferramenta in Modena is nominated for a company founded in 1910 that has evolved into a name in predictive mechanics. - Stefano Marra, CEO and founder of HOAEXP LLC-FZ, is nominated for a Dubai-based travel platform focused on private travel, high-end safaris and tailor-made experiences in Africa. - Severino Laface, general manager and founder of Come à la Maison Group, is nominated from Luxembourg for a hospitality concept near the European institutions. - Domina Group – Preatoni Family is also among the nominations in hospitality. - Fabrizio Ventimiglia is nominated for legal work centered on protecting the victims of Crans-Montana. - The remaining nominations include Luigi Carrino, Antonello Mineo, Biagio Semilia, Gabriele Pao-Pei Andreoli, Antonio Genovese, Sabrina Zuccalà, Paolo Masini, Delfina Licata, Nunzio Ferraro, Massimo De Angelis, Giovanni Giacchi, Marco Cartoni and Raffaello Iovine. - The list spans researchers, entrepreneurs, managers, journalists, professionals and cultural organizations. - The award also highlighted four related E-novation Foundation events planned for September and October: Bellessere & Fairplay, the General Assembly on Sustainability and Safety, International Days of Freedom and a conference at the Hotel Excelsior on the Lido during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.

Between the lines: - The award is signaling a shift from a narrow Made in Italy frame to a broader Made by Italians narrative that includes Italians working abroad and institutions preserving memory and migration history. - The emphasis on geography suggests Italian excellence is being defined as a networked, international ecosystem rather than a domestic label. - The mix of technology, heritage and professional service nominations points to a strategy of broadening prestige without abandoning traditional Italian identity.

What's next: - The next major milestone is the October 16 ceremony in Washington, DC. - The award plans to announce nominations from Australia starting in 2027, expanding its geographic reach further. - E-novation Foundation events tied to the award will continue through September and October.

The bottom line: - The Italian Excellence Award is positioning Italian talent as a global, cross-sector community built on innovation, memory and relationships, not just exports and heritage.