# Snowflake Crowns Data Innovators _Snowflake honors global leaders and companies like Caterpillar, Volvo, and Samsung for their innovative use of data and AI in the AI Data Cloud._ **Published:** 2026-06-02 **Source:** https://www.startuphub.ai/ai-news/technology/2026/snowflake-crowns-data-innovators --- Snowflake has unveiled the winners of its eighth annual Data Drivers Awards, celebrating organizations that are pushing the boundaries of data utilization and AI integration within the [Snowflake AI Data Cloud](/ai-news/public-companies/2026/legacy-tech-stocks-surge-on-ai-pivot). This year's honorees represent a global slate of companies transforming their industries. Snowflake Data Drivers AwardsCore eighth annual awards recognizing data innovators globallyFrom the article 6 mentionsSnowflake has unveiled the winners of its eighth annual Data Drivers Awards, celebrating organizations that are pushing the boundaries of data utilization and AI integration within the Snowflake AI Data Cloud.AI Data CloudCoreplatform for innovative data and AI utilizationFrom the article 7 mentionsSnowflake has unveiled the winners of its eighth annual Data Drivers Awards, celebrating organizations that are pushing the boundaries of data utilization and AI integration within the Snowflake AI Data Cloud.Global Leaders HonoredOutcomecompanies like Caterpillar, Volvo, Samsung recognizedData CollaborationContextcategory highlighting shared data initiativesFrom the article 7 mentionsThis category highlights organizations excelling in data sharing and collaboration across ecosystems.Data for GoodContextaward for positive societal impactFrom the article 7 mentionsRecognizing meaningful use of data and AI for humanitarian and social impact, the Data for Good award goes to World Central Kitchen (Americas), GSK (EMEA), and Mandai Wildlife Group (Asia Pacific and Japan).Data-First ApproachContextexemplified by Data Driver of the Year winnersFrom the articleThis top honor goes to organizations exemplifying a data-first approach.Swift AI AdoptionContextFrom the articleRecognizing swift AI adoption and impactful production use cases, the AI Innovator award recipients are Caterpillar (Americas), Fin (EMEA), and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management (Asia Pacific and Japan).leads toReal Business OutcomesEffectFrom the article"This year’s winners are not just experimenting with AI; they are delivering real business outcomes by scaling sophisticated applications and unlocking the true value of their data," stated Denise Persson, Snowflake's Chief Marketing Officer. The awards recognize leaders and organizations demonstrating significant impact through data-centric strategies. "This year’s winners are not just experimenting with AI; they are delivering real business outcomes by scaling sophisticated applications and unlocking the true value of their data," stated Denise Persson, Snowflake's Chief Marketing Officer. ## Data Driver of the Year This top honor goes to organizations exemplifying a data-first approach. Winners include Kimberly-Clark (Americas), Rathbones (EMEA), and Canva (Asia Pacific and Japan). ## AI Innovator Recognizing swift AI adoption and impactful production use cases, the AI Innovator award recipients are Caterpillar (Americas), Fin (EMEA), and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management (Asia Pacific and Japan). ## Innovation in Data Analytics These awards celebrate maximizing data assets for clear business insights. Honorees are the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (Americas), Volvo (EMEA), and Denso Corporation (Asia Pacific and Japan). ## Data Collaboration This category highlights organizations excelling in data sharing and collaboration across ecosystems. Winners include Facteus (Americas), BioCatch (EMEA), and the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (Asia Pacific and Japan). ## Data for Good Recognizing meaningful use of data and AI for humanitarian and social impact, the Data for Good award goes to World Central Kitchen (Americas), GSK (EMEA), and Mandai Wildlife Group (Asia Pacific and Japan). ## Data Executive of the Year This award recognizes senior leaders driving AI strategy. Honorees are Wendy Batchelder (Centene Corporation, Americas), Soosai Fernandes (Nordea Bank, EMEA), and Jung Suh (Samsung Electronics, Asia Pacific and Japan). ## Data Hero of the Year Individual trailblazers in data and AI are recognized with this award. Winners include Tim Sceurman (Aramark, Americas), Timo Hueftle (Siemens, EMEA), and Piyush Gupta (Temasek, Asia Pacific and Japan). These awards underscore the growing importance of robust data foundations and strategic AI implementation in the current economic landscape, as detailed in the [original announcement](https://www.snowflake.com/content/snowflake-site/global/en/blog/data-drivers-awards-2026). --- Original analysis from [startuphub.ai](https://www.startuphub.ai), the #1 AI startup directory.