Update: MITX has just announced a deadline extension to Friday April 15th at 9am.

The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange, more fondly referred to as MITX here in the Hub, hosts two big award shows every year: one in the Fall for Boston’s interactive community (MITX Interactive Awards), and one in the Spring for Boston’s technology community. They’ve been doing these for seven years now; but this year, MITX is rebranding its spring technology awards to the MITX Innovation Awards – opening the show up to even more companies here in the Hub.

The deadline for applications is quickly approaching – next Friday, April 8th [Update: MITX has extended the deadline until Friday April 15th at 9am] — so you best be moving to submit your applications. You can submit your company to compete for these twelve new categories in the Innovation Awards:

On top of these general categories, MITX judges will be selecting six “Best of” from all the applicants, honored with awards for: Angel of the Year, Best Sector Impact, Innovation Hall of Fame, Innovative Business Model, Innovative Go-To-Market Strategy, and VC of the Year.

With applications due next Friday, April 8th, and the final awards ceremony June 16th, here are four reasons you should apply to this years revamped awards show:

  1. Validation – An award from MITX is like a big stamp of approval on your company. Check out 2009 and 2010 winners, and note that they’re some of the most buzzed about companies now in 2011: SCVNGR, Gemvara, etc.
  2. Connections – The MITX award shows bring out tons of people from the community. Your company will have primetime opportunity for promotion in front of them – think: connections with buyers, investors, thought leaders.
  3. Recognition – Along with connection s of course comes recognition — not only at the event and through press coverage but pre- and post-event online through promotion on the MITX website, their blog, and through their social reach (the @MITX Twitter handle alone has over 4,000 followers).
  4. Celebration – Who doesn’t like to go out to an event where the sole reason for going is to celebrate great innovators and have a good time?

Not enough reasons or want to learn more about applying (there is a fee involved, but it’s based on how much funding you’ve received to date)? Check out our takeaways and winners from last years MITX Technology Awards, and visit the MITX website to learn more about how to apply.

You can read more stories on Boston startups, technology and innovation at https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/inno