VivaTech Celebrates a Decade of Innovation with Major Focus on AI and Deep Tech

From June 17 to 20, 2026, the Porte de Versailles in Paris will host the 10th edition of VivaTech, Europe's premier event spotlighting startups and technology. Established as a vital meeting ground for tech professionals, VivaTech stands at the intersection of innovation and business dialogues, with artificial intelligence taking center stage. This anniversary celebration aims to amplify the tech community's voice through an impressive lineup of prominent companies and speakers.

A New Era for a New Decade

Over the past ten years, VivaTech has witnessed exponential growth. Its audience ballooned from 45,000 to over 180,000 in 2025, representing attendees from 171 countries. The expansion is also evident among startups, which have tripled in number, while the investor pool has increased twelvefold.

In 2026, the event will span Hall 7, offering 30% more exhibition space and doubled seating capacity. Attendees can expect to engage with 15,000 startups, participate in over 1,500 live demos, and enjoy 4,000+ business networking meetings. A dedicated Investors Office Hours program will facilitate interactions between founders and leading investors, enhancing connectivity within the startup ecosystem.

Germany: The Country of the Year

Germany has been selected as VivaTech's 2026 Country of the Year, showcasing an unprecedented booth spanning 800 m² and a delegation of 200 startups. Its participation includes 14 Länder, 12 government entities, and federal ministers, including Karsten Wildberger and Dorothée Bar, who underscore Germany's commitment to digital transformation and innovation. This spotlight emphasizes Europe's ambition to assert its technological sovereignty amid global fragmentation.

Addressing Core Tech Challenges

The focus of VivaTech 2026 isn't just a celebration; it’s also about addressing substantial challenges. As it transitions from the first digitalization wave to the AI and deep tech era, the agenda encapsulates pivotal themes such as productivity, cybersecurity, and energy transition. Key highlights include:

• AI & Productivity: According to the 2026 VivaTech Trust Barometer, 89% of executives believe AI will guide their company’s decisions. This year features exclusive innovations like a real-time brain-machine interface by Unitree x HABS and a dual-vector exoskeleton from Sumbu.
• Cybersecurity & Defense: With a 75% increase in cyberattacks noted in a recent Accenture report, startups like French firm Riot are tackling employee awareness, while Belgium's Aikido offers AI-driven tools for code vulnerability detection.
• Greentech & Energy: New solutions from startups such as Nyobolt, which promises rapid battery charging, and Bienesis, focused on smart crop coverage, are set to impact how technology drives climate resilience and energy transitions.
• Deeptech: Innovations in this sphere promise enhanced capabilities for the future. IBM's world-exclusive "quantum chandelier" and Xpanceo's AI-powered smart contact lenses showcase the breadth of possibilities ahead.

Bringing Technology to All

The VivaTech Festival on June 20 aims to engage 18-35-year-olds, featuring themes like AI & Society and the Creator's Economy. It will host a Careers Festival, coaching opportunities, and demos aimed at fostering new talent.

Celebrating a decade of achievements, VivaTech will also distribute its reach to the Champs-Élysées on June 14, transforming this iconic Parisian avenue into a tech showcase. This pedestrianized event will offer residents and visitors a glimpse into the future shaped by AI and emerging technologies—an immersive journey that extends to mobility, health, and climate solutions.

Notable Speakers and Collaborators

VivaTech 2026 promises a lineup of thought leaders from various sectors, including:

• Raphaël AUPHAN, COO of PROTON
• Eleonore CRESPO, Co-founder & Co-CEO of PIGMENT
• Bernard Arnault, CEO & Chairman of LVMH
• Christel HEYDEMANN, CEO of ORANGE
• Robert GENTZ, Co-founder & Co-CEO of ZALANDO

Furthermore, institutional figures from the European Commission and various ministries will lend their perspectives on technological advancements and policy.

Strategic Partnerships

Major organizations are partnering for this event. Significant collaborators include Groupe Les Echos, Publicis Groupe, and founding partners like BNP Paribas and LVMH. With Germany as the honored Country of the Year and India recognized as the AI Country Partner, the event highlights the global collaboration implicit in innovation.

As it moves into its second decade, VivaTech not only reaffirms its status as a dominant force in tech and startup culture but also reflects a transformative moment in technology that aligns with geopolitical shifts in Europe, urging the continent to assert its role in the digital future.