Optimum Supports FIRST Robotics Teams

We’re committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators through our partnership with FIRST Robotics. Optimum hopes to cultivate STEM skills and encourage an interest in technology fields by supporting local teams, regional events, and more.

Celebrating the Seventh Annual Optimum Innovator Award Winners

As a proud partner of FIRST^®, Optimum continues to support and inspire the next generation of innovators through the company’s annual award grants. The Optimum Innovator Awards are our way of recognizing FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC) teams’ achievements and efforts in areas such as community engagement, technology, inspiration, diversity, and sustainability.

Optimum with The Rebel Robotics team shows off its Optimum sponsorship banner at the FIRST Robotics competition.

2026 Optimum Innovator Award Winners

Optimum Innovator Award winners receive grants of $2,000; runners-up are awarded $1,500;
and honorable mentions receive a $500 grant.

Award	Winner	Runner Up
Inclusion	Mechanical Bulls (Smithtown, NY)	Bomb Squad (Mountain Home, AR)
Excellence in Technology	NEMESIS (Robbinsville, NJ)	Bionic Panthers (Liberty Hill, TX)
Community Impact	Dark Side Robotics (Williamstown, WV)	Texas Torque (Woodlands, TX)
Inspiration	Regal Eagles (Bethpage, NY)	Spark City (Bridgeport, CT)
Sustainability	Full Metal Jackets (Rockwall, TX)	O-Bots (Ossining, NY)

Honorable Mentions

Brooklyn Blacksmiths
(Brooklyn, NY)

Rebel Robotics
(Great Neck, NY)

RoboLion
(Longwood, NY)

CyberCats
(Old Westbury, NY)

Black Hawk Robotics
(Rockwall, TX)

Infernobotix
(Center Moriches, NY)

J-Birds
(Hicksville, NY)

Mojo
(Milford, CT)

Panther Robotics
(Paola, KS)

PARTS
(Winfield, WV)

Warhawks
(Edison, NJ)

PSIcotics
(Lindenhurst, NY)

Cybears
(Norwalk, CT)

Lady Talons
(Prosper, TX)

Supporting FIRST's "Get Anywhere" campaign

By showing students and adult caretakers the incredible breadth of STEM careers available, this powerful campaign creates greater potential for future innovation in our communities.

Learn more Learn more

Optimum with Students take part in STEM activities as part of FIRST’s “Get Anywhere” campaign.

Supporting FIRST^® Robotics Competition

Optimum is proud to sponsor 75 high school FCR teams and six regional competitions across our service area, including Hudson Valley, Long Island, North Carolina, New Yor City, Mid-Atlantic and Texas, for the 2026 season.