Back to the Awards

Back to the Awards

Next Startupper Award
Next Startupper Award
Next Startupper Award
Championing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Championing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Championing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The Award

The Next Startupper Award celebrates student entrepreneurs driving positive change through innovation. This inter-school and university competition offers aspiring founders the opportunity to pitch their impact-driven solutions to leading tech and entrepreneurship experts at VivaTech.

Apply now and join us for the 10th edition of VivaTech, taking place from 17-20 June 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

Apply Now

Apply Now

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The Next Startupper Award is the 8th edition of the inter-school and university competition for the new generation of entrepreneurs building ventures with positive impact. This is your opportunity to transform your entrepreneurial vision into reality on the global innovation stage.

Do you have an entrepreneurial project in development? Are you ready to accelerate your venture by presenting your innovative solution to leading tech and entrepreneurship experts? This competition gives you a powerful platform to gain visibility, receive expert feedback, and connect with investors and industry leaders who can propel your project forward.

Don't miss this opportunity to shine at VivaTech and compete for the €5,000 prize.

Apply Now

Apply Now

Eligibility Criteria

  • Language : Ability to communicate and pitch in English.

  • Student Status : Be a current student enrolled in a school or university

  • Project Maturity: Have an entrepreneurial, innovative, and tech/digital-oriented project or startup created less than three years ago

The six finalists will be selected based on the criteria below, with attention to gender parity and diverse representation of schools and countries of origin.

Selection Criteria
Entrepreneur Profile

Display clear vision and ambition, team complementarity, market and customer knowledge, technical and commercial skills, and ability to articulate ideas effectively (pitch deck)

Positive Impact

Demonstrate meaningful social and/or environmental positive impact through your project

Innovation

Show relevance, originality, and technological innovation compared to existing alternatives in the market

Scalability

Present a feasible, realistic, and viable solution with strong technical, economic, and environmental sustainability

Rewards
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    For the 6 finalists

    • Speaker Passes (4-day VIP access)

    • Pitch at VivaTech on the Pitch Studio Stage

    • A masterclass with the CEO of Welcome To The Jungle

    • Dedicated program during the 4 days of the event

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    For the winner

    • All of the rewards previously mentioned

    • Pitch on the Main Stage of VivaTech

    • €5,000 check

    • A startup corner at the 2027 edition

  • Compressed image
    For the 6 finalists

    • Speaker Passes (4-day VIP access)

    • Pitch at VivaTech on the Pitch Studio Stage

    • A masterclass with the CEO of Welcome To The Jungle

    • Dedicated program during the 4 days of the event

  • Compressed image
    For the winner

    • All of the rewards previously mentioned

    • Pitch on the Main Stage of VivaTech

    • €5,000 check

    • A startup corner at the 2027 edition

Timeline

02 Days 12 Hours

02 Days 12 Hours

left to apply

left to apply

  • Launch of the Next Startupper Award

  • Applications closing

  • Official release of the 6 finalists

  • Final on the Pitch Studio at VivaTech

  • Global Award Ceremony on Stage One at VivaTech

  • Launch of the Next Startupper Award

  • Applications closing

  • Official release of the 6 finalists

  • Final on the Pitch Studio at VivaTech

  • Global Award Ceremony on Stage One at VivaTech

  • Launch of the Next Startupper Award

  • Applications closing

  • Official release of the 6 finalists

  • Final on the Pitch Studio at VivaTech

  • Global Award Ceremony on Stage One at VivaTech

Apply Now

Apply Now

Download rules

Download rules

Our 2025 Godfather
Cyril Chiche

Co-founder & CEO of Lydia

Cyril Chiche has made Lydia a cult app among young French people. With Sumeria, his new banking offering, the entrepreneur now wants to compete with traditional banks by focusing on deposit remuneration, fraud prevention, and artificial intelligence.

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2025 Finalists
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Zied Madini

Institut Mines-Télécom, Greeny Solutions

Winner

Typhaine Brual

Insa Lyon, Artemisia

Special Mention of the Jury

Corentin Neker

Lyon 3 University, Awoken

Bérénice Arias

Centrale Supelec, Atmosph’Air

Maxence Lamhaut

Paris School of Business, Youngs Job

Espoir Adouwekonou

École d'ingénieurs EIGSI, Fairconn Aict

FAQ

Who can apply to the Next Startupper Award?

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?

Who can apply to the Next Startupper Award?

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

Who can apply to the Next Startupper Award?

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?

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