Back to the Awards

Back to the Awards

Innovation of the Year
Innovation of the Year
Innovation of the Year
Crowning the Best in Innovation
Crowning the Best in Innovation
Crowning the Best in Innovation

Exhibiting Startups Only

Exhibiting Startups Only

Exhibiting Startups Only

The Award

The VivaTech Innovation of the Year returns for its second edition to spotlight visionary startups that are shaping the future. This VivaTech Award honors an exceptional company that embodies excellence in creativity, technological ingenuity, and transformative potential within its industry.

Are you a startup pushing the boundaries of innovation? Bringing disruptive solutions to today's challenges? Actively building tomorrow's world? Apply now!

This Award is dedicated to startups who will be exhibiting at VivaTech 2026.

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Our main objective

Our objective is to showcase the wealth of talent and innovation across VivaTech exhibitors and help them unlock new business opportunities.

The journey: The five finalists will be invited to pitch their innovation live at VivaTech 2026 in June, gaining invaluable exposure to investors, industry leaders, and media.
The winner will be announced during a prestigious ceremony alongside other groundbreaking innovators, securing significant visibility and a spotlight throughout the entire event.

Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your startup on the global stage!

Eligibility Criteria

  • Be a startup exhibiting at VivaTech 2026

  • Have less than 100 employees

  • Company founded in or after 2020

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Selection Criteria
Innovation & Creativity

Demonstration of a high level of innovation, relevance and originality

Market disruption

Potential to disrupt the market and transform its respective industry.

Scalability

Feasibility, practicality, and viability (technical, economic, and environmental) of implementing the solution.

Jury

Anna Heim

Anna Heim

Reporter

Reporter

TechCrunch

TechCrunch

Margaux Gregoir

Margaux Gregoir

Investor

Investor

Serena

Serena

Howard Wright

Howard Wright

Vice President, Startup Ecosystem

Vice President, Startup Ecosystem

Nvidia

Nvidia

Andreas Schwarzenbrunner

Andreas Schwarzenbrunner

General Partner

General Partner

Speedinvest

Speedinvest

Rewards
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    For the finalists

    • Industry validation and high visibility across VivaTech marketing tools and program
    • Introductions to VCs
    • Exclusive networking opportunities with jury members
    • Two additional 4-day passes to attend VivaTech 2026

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    For the winner

    • VivaTech 2027 Startup Corner - Secure your spot at next year’s edition

    • Year-Round Exposure - Exclusive media coverage, interviews, and spotlight opportunities

    • An invitation to TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200

  • Compressed image
    For the finalists

    • Industry validation and high visibility across VivaTech marketing tools and program
    • Introductions to VCs
    • Exclusive networking opportunities with jury members
    • Two additional 4-day passes to attend VivaTech 2026

  • Compressed image
    For the winner

    • VivaTech 2027 Startup Corner - Secure your spot at next year’s edition

    • Year-Round Exposure - Exclusive media coverage, interviews, and spotlight opportunities

    • An invitation to TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200

2026 Winner
Hodor

France

AI agents move fast - but who authorized them? What did they access? Hodor is the identity & permission engine for AI agents. We give CTOs and CISOs full visibility and control over every agent action, before it becomes a security incident. Learn more: https://www.hodor.ai/

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Meet this year’s Top 5
Timeline

00:00:00:00

00:00:00:00

left to apply

left to apply

  • Launch of the Award and applications

  • End of applications

  • Selection of the 5 finalists

  • Finalists' Pitch Session at VivaTech

  • VivaTech Startup Prizes

  • Launch of the Award and applications

  • End of applications

  • Selection of the 5 finalists

  • Finalists' Pitch Session at VivaTech

  • VivaTech Startup Prizes

  • Launch of the Award and applications

  • End of applications

  • Selection of the 5 finalists

  • Finalists' Pitch Session at VivaTech

  • VivaTech Startup Prizes

Download rules

Download rules

Knowledge Partner

FAQ

In which language should I write my answers?

What is the difference between a Startup Challenge and an Award?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

In which language should I write my answers?

How do I add images?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

FAQ

In which language should I write my answers?

What is the difference between a Startup Challenge and an Award?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

Jury

Anna Heim

Reporter

TechCrunch

Margaux Gregoir

Investor

Serena

Howard Wright

Vice President, Startup Ecosystem

Nvidia

Andreas Schwarzenbrunner

General Partner

Speedinvest

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