Dirigo backs Tech10 Lifetime Achievement Award as Tim Hebert returns to program's roots

Dirigo is sponsoring the 2026 Tech10 Lifetime Achievement Award in Rhode Island, bringing founder Tim Hebert back to the awards program he helped launch more than 15 years ago. The move underscores the program’s continued role in recognizing technology leaders across Rhode Island and Southern New England.

Why it matters: - Dirigo’s sponsorship keeps a Rhode Island technology recognition program visible and connected to the local industry community. - The Lifetime Achievement Award spotlights people whose careers have shaped the region’s tech sector, not just the companies around them. - Hebert’s return links the award to the origins of Tech10 and reinforces the program’s long-term role in honoring behind-the-scenes leadership.

What happened: - Dirigo is sponsoring the 2026 Tech10 Lifetime Achievement Award, part of Rhode Island Monthly’s annual technology awards program. - The sponsorship was announced in Warwick, Rhode Island, on November 2, 2026. - Dirigo founder and CEO Tim Hebert helped launch the Tech10 Awards in 2010 while leading Tech Collective. - The first Tech10 honorees were announced in 2011. - Hebert said the sponsorship feels like “coming full circle.”

The details: - Tech10 was created to recognize people doing extraordinary work in technology, often behind the scenes. - The program continues through Rhode Island Monthly and the Tech10 Advisory Group. - The awards recognize individuals whose contributions improve how people live and work across Southern New England. - Dirigo’s sponsorship supports the program alongside Rhode Island Monthly, the Tech10 Advisory Group and members of Rhode Island Leaders in Information Technology, or RILIT. - RILIT is a volunteer-driven community focused on strengthening Rhode Island’s technology sector through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and service. - The Tech10 Advisory Group includes Jason Albuquerque of Envision Technology Advisors, Linn F. Freedman of Robinson+Cole, Todd Knapp of Envision Technology Advisors, Kathleen Malin of Rhode Island Foundation, David Marble of OSHEAN, Rick Norberg of Vertikal6, David Hemendinger of H4 Innovations and Peter Moreau, retired from Amica Mutual Insurance. - The Tech10 awards program also highlights Next Tech Generation winners and includes a Lifetime Achievement Award. - More information is available in the Tech10 nominations page.

Between the lines: - The announcement positions technology leadership as a human story, not just a technical one. - Hebert’s comments suggest Dirigo sees the award as a way to reinforce community, mentorship and recognition in a field that often rewards visible products more than invisible work. - The company is also signaling continuity with Rhode Island’s tech ecosystem at a time when the industry now spans cybersecurity, data, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and emerging technologies. - The focus on AI and other new tools shows how much the field has expanded since the original Tech10 launch, even as the underlying goal stays the same.

What's next: - Rhode Island Monthly and the Tech10 Advisory Group will continue the 2026 awards cycle with Dirigo as sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award. - The program will keep recognizing technology professionals, innovators and emerging leaders across Rhode Island and Southern New England. - Dirigo says it plans to continue supporting leadership development and community impact through its work with founders, CEOs and their teams.

The bottom line: - Dirigo is using the 2026 Tech10 Lifetime Achievement Award to reconnect with a program Tim Hebert helped create and to elevate the people driving Rhode Island’s tech sector forward.