Ten years after its creation, VivaTech 2026 is changing dimensions. Long perceived as the major European meeting for startups and digital innovation, the Parisian show is gradually becoming a space where industrial policies, critical infrastructures, artificial intelligence, technological sovereignty and economic diplomacy now intersect.
This 2026 edition marks a turning point visible even in its physical configuration. For the first time, VivaTech is expanding to Hall 7 at Porte de Versailles to accommodate more immersive experiences, industrial demonstrators and international delegations. Above all, behind this extension there is a transformation of the show itself: the era of only consumer applications and marketing demonstrations is giving way to a much more strategic competition around AI, semiconductors, energy, the cloud, cybersecurity and infrastructure.
Germany will embody this development. Designated “Country of the Year”, it will use VivaTech as a political and industrial platform intended to promote a European vision of technology. More than 200 startups, industrial groups, research centers and German institutions will be present in Paris around several structuring themes: AI & deeptech, biotech, energy, resilient infrastructure, digital sovereignty and Franco-German cooperation.
The message sent by Berlin is clear: faced with American technological domination and the rise of Chinese industrial power, Europe must build its own critical technological capabilities. This line will be worn by figures like Roland Busch for Siemens, Karsten Wildberger and Dorothee Bär. Through events such as Startup Germany Night, Germany seeks to promote lasting industrial and technological partnerships between startups, investors and large European groups.
This rise in sovereignty issues will also be visible in institutional programming. The European Commission will be strongly represented with in particular Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president responsible for technological sovereignty, security and democracy, as well as Ekaterina Zaharieva, European commissioner for startups, research and innovation.
Large technological and industrial groups will also come to defend their vision of the critical infrastructures of tomorrow. Christophe Fouquet will represent ASML, an essential player in the global semiconductor industry. Shantanu Narayen will lead Adobe’s strategy around generative AI applied to content and marketing. Joe Tsai will bring an additional geopolitical dimension with the presence of Alibaba, while Rodolphe Saadé will illustrate the entry of large logistics and industrial groups into digital infrastructure and AI.
The show will also be marked by a strong deeptech presence. The CNRS will use this edition to highlight several startups from its laboratories around cybersecurity, semiconductors, space, energy or explainable AI. Companies like Xpdeep, Exotrail or DIAMFAB embody this new generation of French deeptech directly positioned on strategic value chains.
Switzerland will also take advantage of this edition to strengthen its positioning in complex technologies. The swisstech pavilion will bring together 26 startups around robotics, cybersecurity, HealthTech and energy technologies. Humanoid robotics and “embedded AI” will take center stage with live demonstrations, a sign that AI is gradually moving from software to physical and industrial systems.
This 2026 edition will also highlight the transformation of creative industries under the effect of generative AI. The we are_challenges competition, organized by we are_ with the support of OneRagtime, will present several startups positioned on AI-generated content, immersive experiences or new digital creation tools.
Alongside the major industrial powers, the French territories will also seek to strengthen their economic visibility. Initiatives like We Are Normandy will use VivaTech as a showcase to promote their capacities for innovation, industrialization and technological attractiveness.
This transformation of the show reflects a much broader evolution of the European ecosystem. Innovation is no longer just about creating applications or digital platforms. It is now played out in the control of infrastructures: energy, cloud, AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, robotics, space and industry.
Ten years after its creation, VivaTech thus appears to reflect a Europe which is gradually trying to rebuild a common industrial and technological doctrine.
If you wish to promote your presence, your startup, your pavilion or your events at VivaTech 2026 to decision-makers in the tech ecosystem, investors, large groups and institutions, contact us to set up special coverage, interviews, video formats or special operations dedicated to the show.
