[VivaTech 2026] Europe’s Largest Technology Festival Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary with an Expanded Vision
VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and technology event, will return to Paris, France, from June 17 to 20, 2026, marking its milestone 10th edition. Organizers are expanding the event footprint this year and expect approximately 180,000 participants from around the world.
From cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies to cleantech solutions aimed at addressing environmental challenges, VivaTech 2026 will bring together a diverse range of ideas and innovations shaping the future. The event serves as a meeting point for startups, investors, corporations, public institutions, and technology leaders, making it one of the most influential innovation gatherings in Europe.
This article highlights the event’s key themes, major attractions, and the opportunities it offers to participants seeking insight into the latest global technology and startup trends.
A Global Technology Gathering Reaches a Major Milestone
Since its launch in 2016, VivaTech has grown dramatically in scale and international reach. In 2026, the event is expected to welcome 180,000 participants, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers from more than 170 countries and territories. To accommodate this growth, the exhibition space at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles has been expanded by 30%, creating room for a larger number of exhibitors and technology showcases.
More than 14,000 startups and 4,000 investors are expected to participate. Beyond serving as a platform for presenting new technologies, VivaTech is designed to facilitate business creation, partnerships, and investment opportunities. According to the organizers, 75% of participating startups successfully connect with investors that match their business needs, highlighting the event’s role as a practical marketplace for innovation and growth.
One of the notable initiatives for 2026 is the designation of Germany as the “Country of the Year.” Germany will be represented by approximately 200 startups along with a large delegation of government organizations, forming the country’s largest-ever presence at the event. The delegation will also include federal ministers, underscoring Germany’s commitment to innovation and technological development.
At a time when the global technology landscape is evolving rapidly, the expanded German presence also reflects broader efforts to strengthen Europe’s technological competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy.
VivaTech 2026 at a Glance
Event Name: VivaTech 2026 (10th Anniversary Edition)
Dates: June 17–20, 2026
Special Event: A public pre-event will be held on the Champs-Élysées on June 14, 2026
Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Paris, France
Organizers: Groupe Les Echos–Le Parisien and Publicis Groupe
Expected Attendance: Approximately 180,000 participants from more than 170 countries and territories
Participating Startups: Approximately 14,000–15,000 startups
Participating Investors: Approximately 3,600–4,000 investors
Exhibitors and Partners: Approximately 4,000 companies and organizations
Speakers: More than 450 industry leaders, experts, and innovators
Official Website: https://vivatech.com/
Related Article:https://micetimes.jp/vivatech-2025/
Public-Facing Technology Experience Takes Over the Champs-Élysées
As part of its 10th-anniversary celebrations, VivaTech will host a special public event on Sunday, June 14, ahead of the main conference. The free program will take place on the Champs-Élysées in central Paris, where the iconic avenue will be transformed into a pedestrian zone for the day. Visitors will be welcomed by a large VivaTech monument and eight themed areas designed to showcase future technologies through hands-on experiences.
The event is expected to attract approximately 150,000 visitors and will feature more than 35 technology demonstrations. Among the highlights are a space tourism capsule designed to offer views of Earth from the stratosphere, a zero-emission vehicle equipped with integrated solar panels, and advanced drones capable of supporting cargo transportation and infrastructure inspection.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience humanoid robots capable of interacting with people, exoskeleton technologies that assist physical movement, and environmental innovations that generate drinking water from the air. Together, these exhibits offer a glimpse into technologies that could significantly influence everyday life in the years ahead.
Artificial intelligence will also play a prominent role. Through a collaboration with Google, interactive AI-powered art experiences will demonstrate how emerging technologies can be used in creative and accessible ways.
At the heart of the initiative is a belief that technology should not be reserved for specialists alone. By opening these experiences to the public in one of Paris’s most recognizable locations, the organizers aim to make innovation more accessible and encourage broader engagement with the technologies shaping the future.
Artificial Intelligence for Solving Societal Challenges and the Frontiers of Deep Tech
One of the central themes of VivaTech 2026 is the practical application of artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing solely on future possibilities, the event will explore how AI can be integrated into business operations, public services, and everyday life.
Among the event’s major partners, AWS will showcase technologies including sovereign cloud solutions designed to address European data governance requirements, as well as AI agents capable of performing tasks autonomously based on human instructions. The company has also announced plans to provide cloud and AI training to 800,000 people in France by 2030, highlighting the growing importance of both technology adoption and workforce development.
Visitors will be able to experience AI through a variety of interactive demonstrations. These include a personalized fragrance experience in which artificial intelligence creates custom perfume recommendations, as well as a basketball court where shooting motions are analyzed in real time using advanced data-processing technologies.
Deep-tech innovation will also be a major focus. IBM is expected to present cooling technologies for quantum computers, a field widely regarded as one of the next frontiers in computing. Other exhibitors include VSORA, which is developing high-performance processing chips for autonomous driving applications, and XPANCEO, which is working on screenless smart contact lenses designed to redefine human-device interaction.
Meanwhile, The Exploration Company will present its vision for reusable orbital spacecraft capable of transporting cargo to the Moon, highlighting how private-sector innovation continues to expand opportunities within the space industry.
The Future of Mobility and the Transformation of Urban Infrastructure
Advances in electrification, autonomous driving, and alternative energy technologies are reshaping not only how people move, but also how cities themselves are designed and operated.
VivaTech 2026 will feature a broad range of mobility-related innovations, including hydrogen-powered transportation, next-generation battery technologies, and smart-city solutions. These developments are expected to play an important role in creating more sustainable and efficient urban environments.
One example is Austria-based CycloTech, which has developed a cylindrical propulsion system that differs significantly from conventional propeller designs. The technology is intended to improve flight stability, even in challenging wind conditions, and represents a new approach to advanced air mobility. As urban air transportation moves closer to commercial reality, technologies such as these are attracting increasing attention from industry leaders and policymakers alike.
Cybersecurity in an Increasingly Connected World
As digital transformation accelerates across industries, cybersecurity remains one of the most critical challenges facing organizations and governments.
While artificial intelligence is helping strengthen defensive capabilities, it is also contributing to the growing sophistication of cyber threats. Protecting data, securing infrastructure, and maintaining resilience in rapidly evolving digital environments have therefore become key priorities.
Among the companies exhibiting at VivaTech 2026 is MBDA, a European defense technology group that will showcase advanced air-defense systems integrating digital networks with interception hardware. The technology is designed to help protect critical infrastructure against increasingly complex aerial threats.
The discussions surrounding cybersecurity at VivaTech underscore a broader reality: technological progress and risk management are inseparable. As innovation accelerates, the ability to secure digital and physical infrastructure will remain a defining challenge for governments, businesses, and society as a whole.
Environmental Technologies and Social Impact Ventures Driving a More Sustainable Future
Another major theme at VivaTech 2026 is the role technology can play in addressing global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and community resilience. The event’s dedicated Impact Village will spotlight startups whose core mission is to generate positive social and environmental impact alongside business growth.
Ten selected startups will present innovative business models that seek to balance commercial success with social contribution. Among them is Periodt, which installs free menstrual product dispensers in public spaces and funds the service through advertising revenue. Another participant, Opale, provides a platform that helps support victims of domestic violence anonymously while connecting them with appropriate assistance services.
Other exhibitors focus on environmental protection and disaster preparedness. Geominnov, for example, uses artificial intelligence to assess climate-related risks affecting real estate assets, while Momentum Technology is developing LifePods, self-contained living units that can be rapidly deployed in disaster-affected areas.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate how startups are increasingly using technology not only to create economic value, but also to improve safety, resilience, equality, and quality of life.
Women Entrepreneur Awards Highlight Diversity in the Technology Sector
VivaTech continues to place a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the technology industry. One of the event’s flagship initiatives is its Women Entrepreneur Award, which returns for its eighth edition in 2026.
The program aims to help address the funding gap that many female founders continue to face in the venture capital ecosystem. By recognizing high-potential women-led companies and connecting them with global investors, the award seeks to create greater opportunities for female entrepreneurs to scale their businesses internationally.
This year, 444 applications were received from 85 countries, with five finalists selected for the final stage of the competition. The shortlisted companies represent a diverse range of sectors, including climate technology, deep tech, and sustainable infrastructure.
Among the finalists are a German company developing software to support municipal decarbonization efforts, a U.S.-based startup pioneering environmentally responsible mineral extraction using microorganisms, and a French company creating residential energy-storage systems based on repurposed batteries.
The diversity of the finalists reflects a broader trend within the innovation ecosystem. Women entrepreneurs are increasingly leading ventures in highly technical fields and critical infrastructure sectors, demonstrating that their influence extends far beyond traditionally represented industries.
Practical Programs Designed to Accelerate Business Growth
Another defining feature of VivaTech is its extensive support system aimed at helping participants achieve tangible business outcomes. For startups, entrepreneurs, and corporate innovators alike, the event offers a range of practical programs designed to facilitate learning, networking, and business development.
Prior to the event, startups can access free online masterclasses covering topics such as effective pitching techniques and strategies for engaging with investors. These sessions are intended to help founders maximize the value of their participation and improve their readiness for fundraising discussions.
During the event, participants can take advantage of Office Hours, a program that enables startups to schedule 15-minute one-on-one meetings with venture capital firms, accelerators, and incubators. App-based reservations allow attendees to plan their schedules efficiently and connect with relevant stakeholders in a structured environment.
VivaTech also features a Reverse Pitch format, in which investors take the stage to present their investment strategies and areas of interest directly to entrepreneurs. By reversing the traditional pitching dynamic, the initiative aims to make it easier for founders and investors to identify potential opportunities for collaboration.
For corporate executives, technology leaders, and marketing professionals, the event offers a dedicated Business Plaza equipped with exclusive lounges and meeting spaces. Here, industry leaders share practical insights on topics such as scaling organizations, fostering innovation, and navigating technological change.
The event’s specialized summits further enhance the learning experience. Sessions for chief marketing officers explore how brands can build value and maintain relevance in an era of virtually unlimited content creation. Meanwhile, discussions aimed at chief technology officers focus on balancing business growth with cybersecurity, system resilience, and operational stability.
To help participants make the most of the event, VivaTech provides a dedicated mobile application that enables attendees to create personalized schedules, discover relevant sessions, and arrange meetings with other participants. Given the scale of the event, these digital tools play an important role in helping visitors navigate the venue efficiently and maximize the value of their time in Paris.
A Global Platform for Exploring the Impact of Emerging Technologies
As VivaTech celebrates its 10th anniversary, the event has evolved beyond a traditional technology exhibition. It now serves as a forum for examining how innovation influences society and how emerging technologies may shape the future of business, communities, and everyday life.
Alongside opportunities for business development, investment, and partnership building, the event also seeks to broaden public engagement with innovation. Through initiatives such as the public program on the Champs-Élysées, VivaTech opens discussions about technology to audiences who may not regularly interact with the startup and innovation ecosystem.
From climate solutions and the practical deployment of artificial intelligence to new approaches to diversity, inclusion, and social impact, the event brings together a wide range of perspectives on some of the most significant challenges facing society today.
Entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, policymakers, and citizens from around the world will gather in Paris to exchange ideas, build connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration. In doing so, VivaTech aims not only to showcase innovation, but also to help shape the next decade of technological and societal progress.
By bringing together business growth, technological advancement, and social impact under one roof, VivaTech 2026 continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the world’s most influential innovation events.
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