Nominate the AI builders of 2026
The Zappy Awards recognize the AI builders using Zapier to redesign how work gets done. Nominate yourself, or the teammate who deserves the spotlight.
Winners announced:
Live at ZapConnect
Nominations
Open now · annual eligibility closes July 24th
Annual program judging
Jul 24 – Sept 10
Celebration
September 2026 & beyond
A new winner every month
Every month we recognize 2-3 builders leading AI change across their teams. Your annual submission enters you automatically. First winners announced June 30.
Why the Zappy Awards
Every company wants AI transformation and you're the one doing it.
AI transformation is a top priority at every company right now. But the people actually leading it rarely get recognized outside their own org. The Zappy Awards change that. Winners get a published story on zapier.com, a physical trophy for your trophy case, $5,000 cash, and a feature at ZapConnect in front of thousands. Judged by a panel of automation leaders and past winners against the Zappy Judging Rubric. This is pointable proof that you shipped something real and impactful.
Proof that travels
A published story, a trophy, and your name at ZapConnect. Recognition that your manager, your skip-level, your exec team, and your industry can see.
Judged on the work
A panel of automation leaders and past winners scores every submission against the Zappy Judging Rubric. No audience vote. No popularity.
Career growth & acceleration
Past winners have used their Zappy to make their next promotion and career move a reality. When every company is promoting and hiring for AI, this is how you prove you've done it.
„Zapier makes me feel invincible. I never feel like I need an engineer to create the solutions I need.„
RevOps, Systems Admin, 2025 Operations Automator of the Year · BioRender
Introducing
Your 2026 Zappy Awards categories.
Ten categories. Every one built to pass the promotable-title test — the kind of title you actually want on your LinkedIn. Seven for the work you do every day. Three for the builders redefining what's possible. Pick yours and nominate below.
AI Transformation Leader
Are you transforming how your company works with AI? Redesigning entire functions, teaching teammates how to build, shipping in three months what your roadmap called a 2-year project. If that sounds like your last 12 months, this award's for you!
Marketing AI Builder
The marketer using Zapier and AI to scale content, lead gen, and campaign ops without scaling headcount.
Operations AI Builder
The ops builder turning messy cross-team processes into clean, measurable systems powered by Zapier.
Sales AI Builder
The sales operator building AI-powered pipelines, outreach systems, and deal intelligence with Zapier as the backbone.
IT AI Builder
The IT builder using Zapier to connect systems, automate the employee lifecycle, and deliver solutions faster than vendor roadmaps allow.
HR AI Builder
The HR or Talent Ops builder replacing manual processes with Zapier workflows that scale hiring, onboarding, and people ops.
Customer Support AI Builder
The support leader using Zapier to triage, respond, and resolve at scale while keeping the human touch.
Exec Ops AI Builder
The chief of staff or exec ops builder using AI to change how leaders make decisions — briefings, signal-surfacing, and org-level reporting on autopilot.
AI Builder of the Year
The builder using Agents, MCP, AI by Zapier, or AI integrations to deliver outcomes that weren't possible a year ago.
Rising AI Builder Star of the Year
Under 12 months on Zapier, already shipping serious work. For the newest builders making the fastest jump from "what's a Zap?" to shipping systems.
Wie bewerbe ich mich?
Apply in 3 steps. Plan on 15 minutes.
No agencies. No polish required. The best submissions are specific, measurable, and honest about what you built.
1. Pick your category
Read the definitions above. Most applicants fit one clearly. If you're between two, pick the one that best describes the outcome you drove.
2. Share your story
You'll need: a 150-word description of the automation, 2–3 metrics that show impact, and a headshot. Have screenshots or a Loom? Even better.
3. Submit by July 24th
Judges review all entries through August. Winners notified by email Sept 20. Announced live at ZapConnect.
Nominating someone else?
Two minutes. Pick their category, tell us why you are nominating them, and we'll reach out to your nominee with your recommendation, letting them know someone thinks they're great and encouraging them to complete their submission. Let's make someone's day!
Your automation. Your story. Your Zappy.
Submissions close July 24, 2026. Winners announced live at ZapConnect. Don't overthink it — submit.