The Crunchies are to technology what the Oscars are to Hollywood.  These awards celebrate the best tech accomplishments of 2010. Join GigaOm, VentureBeat and TechCrunch as co-hosts and masters in ceremonies on Friday January 21, 2011 at 7:30 pm at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater in San Francisco.

Starting today, nominate your favorite companies, products and people for consideration in 20 different award categories. Our focus is start-ups, but big companies and products can be considered as well. Self nominations are welcome. Grab a badge here and get your community to support you for finalist consideration. Nominations are open through Friday, December 24, 2010 at midnight PT.

The Crunchies Committee will choose five finalists per award category based on top submitted nominations and the company accomplishments made during 2010. Popular voting will open on Monday, January 3 and run through midnight PT, Wednesday January 19, 2011. The full rules are here.

True, we’re not as the slick Oscars ceremony, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have just as much fun. We promise a memorable evening with the community to celebrate our accomplishments of 2010 and look forward to a bright 2011.

Who were some of the winners in 2009?

Facebook won the Crunchie for Best Overall Startup Or Product Of 2009.

Bing won the Crunchie for Best New StartUp of 2009.

Mark Pincus won the Crunchie for CEO of the Year.

The full list from 2009 is here, 2008 is here, and 2007 is here.

Expect another great after-party to follow in the Palace of Fine Arts’ Exploratorium through midnight with lots more fun and games.

As always, sponsors make our events possible, and we have packages in all shapes and sizes available. Please contact Jeanne Logozzo regarding sponsorship opportunities for the crunchies Awards or the after-party festivities at the Exploratorium. For general queries about the Crunchies Awards or nominations, email us here,

Make someone’s year. Nominate a company for a Crunchie today!