The award recognizes the learning, development, and recognition programs behind Blend's data and AI practitioners. 

COLUMBIA, Md. / September 21, 2026  —  Blend360, a premier AI services provider, announced it has won Best Place to Work in Data and AI - Solution Provider at the 2026 Global DataIQ Awards in London. Now in their thirteenth year, the DataIQ Awards recognize the organizations and individuals advancing the impact of data and AI through innovation, data-driven culture, and responsible practice.

The “Best Place to Work in Data and AI – Solution Provider” category measures how a company develops the people behind the work, not what it sells. At Blend, development is built into the working week. Every employee completes 40 hours of technology training each quarter, supported by Blend Academy, more than 30 global Centers of Excellence, BlendSpark rotational assignments on new AI offerings, and the six-month All-Star Program for early-career hires, with cohorts across the US, India, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Uruguay.

That investment shows up in accreditation: team members hold more than 350 AWS certifications and more than 125 Databricks certifications, the latter up 178% year over year.

Blend was also shortlisted as a finalist in five further categories at this year’s awards, including:

• Data or AI-Driven Transformation of the Year - International: for work transforming pharma field team performance with STEM AI, delivering measurable business impact through major international change programs.
• Best Responsible AI Program or Initiative: for Blend’s AI for Good work, embedding ethical, transparent, and accountable AI to build trust and deliver sustainable impact.
• Emerging Data and AI Leader of the Year: Jesse Michael Fagan, PhD, Senior Director of Data Science, recognized for emerging leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in data and AI.
• Data and AI Leader of the Year - Large Organization, Solution Provider: Mike Mischel, SVP of AI Consulting, recognized for senior leadership in driving data and AI strategy, transformation, and organization-wide impact at scale.
• Best Data and AI for Good Initiative - Solution Provider: for Blend’s work with Youth Sport Trust on Levelling the Playing Field, building an AI-assisted intelligence platform to address youth sport and health inequality in England.

Across the winning entry and the five shortlists, one thread holds: the work is done by people who are given room to get better at it. See Blend’s full winning award listing here.

‍

‍

‍

About Blend360

Blend360 is a premier AI services provider, committed to co-creating meaningful impact for its clients through the power of data science, AI, technology, and people. With a mission to fuel bold visions, Blend tackles significant challenges by seamlessly aligning human expertise with artificial intelligence. The company is dedicated to unlocking value and fostering innovation for its clients by harnessing world-class people and data-driven strategy. We believe that the power of people and AI can have a meaningful impact on your world.  

For more information, visit www.blend360.com.

‍