Recognizing Legendary Work

The Technical Recognition Awards honor the relentless spirit of Microsoft's technical leaders and innovators. Founded in 2007, the awards formally and publicly recognize the achievement, leadership, and impact these luminary technologists have wrought within the high-tech industry.

All honorees are nominated and judged by their peers within the Microsoft Technical Community Network (TCN), a community of senior leaders and contributors representing Microsoft's technical core.

Award Criteria

Career Achievement

This award is given to an individual for exceptional contributions to the technology industry across the span of their career, for contributions that are of lasting and major importance to the industry. Microsoft career-related achievement is a significant component of this award.
MEET PAST AND PRESENT HONOREES

Outstanding Technical Leadership

This award recognizes an individual responsible for creating or directly influencing a visionary initiative through collaboration and technical leadership, creating a breakthrough in the technology industry.
MEET PAST AND PRESENT HONOREES

Outstanding Technical Achievement

This team award recognizes an outstanding and innovative technical achievement that has profoundly transformed the world of software and addressed some of the most urgent technological challenges facing the world today.
MEET PAST AND PRESENT HONOREES

CHARITY OUTREACH

Each honoree is afforded the opportunity to further change the world for the better through a substantial charitable contribution made on their behalf. Since their inception in 2007, the Technical Recognition Awards have resulted in millions of dollar's worth of charitable donations worldwide.

AWARD TROPHY

Each honoree receives a custom-made trophy whose design embodies innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership. The trophy's crystal centerpiece encompasses a "blibbet" design inspired by the stylized "o" that first appeared in the Microsoft logo in 1982. The blibbet now serves as the symbol for Legendary Work associated with the Technical Recognition Awards.