Five tech-focused companies headquartered in Lee and Collier counties collected top honors at the 2026 Edison Awards, a global celebration of innovation held annually in Fort Myers.
Fort Myers-based ADDMAN won a gold in the manufacturing and logistics category for an innovation that provides superior 3D printing technologies. Bonita Spring-based e2Companies won a silver, Naples-based Arthrex earned silver and bronze awards, Fort Myers-based EmCyte won bronze and Naples-based Digital ShortCutz won bronze. Winners were recognized across 50 categories.
Additionally, the Horizon Foundation, in collaboration with the Edison Awards, honored winners of the AI + HI Innovation Challenge, a competition featuring teams of local students who addressed concerns with artificial intelligence and human intelligence. Tech Tigers from Dunbar High School won first place for its LeeConnect innovation, Solvably Strategists II from Dunbar High won second place for a presentation on SafeLee and Together We Grow from Island Coast High School won third place for its Resilient AI project.
The annual event attracted an international contingent of tech CEOs, engineers and entrepreneurs who experienced the future of innovation coming to life through an Innovators Showcase and Innovators Forum. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was among the featured panelists, along with representatives from Samsung, Lenovo, Mayo Clinic and others. The Edison Awards presented NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and pop culture icon Rihanna with Edison Achievement Awards for their significant, lasting contributions to innovation and human-centered design throughout their careers.
The Horizon Foundation, which raises private-sector money to support economic development efforts in Lee County, was the event’s platinum sponsor. Additional local sponsors included the City of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University, Collaboratory, Em- Cyte, Babcock Ranch, U.S. Sugar and Blue Waters Development Group.
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