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Klein • Wenner
Klein • Wenner
Innovate. Compete. Expand. The DACH startup gateway to France.
Innovate. Compete. Expand. The DACH startup gateway to France.
Why this Challenge?

klein • wenner is a dynamic international law firm with a team of multicultural lawyers delivering hands-on legal expertise in all areas of business law.

This startup challenge, in partnership with the French-German University, recognizes the top three most innovative startups in new technologies from the Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrolean markets that are ready to expand into the French market.

Our Startup Challenge
Innovate. Compete. Expand. The DACH startup gateway to France.

Context & Need:
THE CHALLENGE 2025 – Your Launchpad to the French Market! Are you a game-changing startup from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol ready to expand into France? If you’re shaping the future in AI, big data, Sustainability, or Cybersecurity, this is your moment. Gain visibility, connect with key players, and fast-track your growth in France with THE CHALLENGE – the competition organized by klein • wenner and the French-German University. Innovate. Compete. Expand Your gateway to new business opportunities!

Expected Solutions:
We are looking for groundbreaking digital innovations from startups based in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and South Tyrol eager to expand into in France. Whether your solution is in AI, big data, sustainability, or cybersecurity, we are looking for forward-thinking technologies that tackle both current and future challenges. THE CHALLENGE 2025 provides a unique platform to showcase your innovation, connect with industry leaders, and unlock new growth opportunities in the French market.

Scope:
#DigitalInnovation #StartupCompetition #DACHtoFrance #AI #BigData #Cybersecurity #SustainabilityTech #EuropeanTech #CrossBorderInnovation #TechForEurope #ScaleUp #FrenchTech #EUInnovation #FutureOfTech

Selection Criteria
Maturity

Our competition is open to start-ups, which operate for at least 3 years in the field of digital innovation

Geography

Open to start-ups registered in the German (Handelsregister), Austrian (Firmenbuch), Swiss (Handelsregister) or South Tyrolean (Handelsregister Bozen) company register

Growth- potential

Our competition is open to start-ups, which have a business project in France to be realized within the next 18 months.

Rewards
  • Access to VivaTech

    Free passes for the four-day event

  • Be part of the French-German Tech Lab

    Exhibit on the French-German Tech Lab

  • Visibility

    Showcase your startup on the pitch stage at the French-German Tech Lab.

  • Workshop

    Lawyers from Klein Wenner and business experts will do a workshop with your startup at VivaTech to do a 360° analysis of your business project for France and give you hands on advice

Play an active role in our six business sectors

Your solution, product or service demonstrates that you can play an active role in LVMH's ecosystem and deliver on a large scale. Whether it be the creation process, the omnichannel customer journey, or operation and manufacturing, you support the Group's legacy of excellence and innovation in all areas of its 6 business sectors.

  • Fashion & Leather Goods

  • Wines & Spirits

  • Perfumes & Cosmetics

  • Watches & Jewelry

  • Other Activities

  • Selective Retailing

Timeline

00:00:00:00

left to apply

left to apply

  • Startup Challenge opens

  • Startup Challenge closes

  • Selected Startups announced

  • -

    20/06/2026

    VivaTech 2025

Jury

Andrea Vaughan

Andrea Vaughan

Founder - European Expansion for Scale-Ups

Founder - European Expansion for Scale-Ups

WYNGS / European Champions Alliance

WYNGS / European Champions Alliance

William Zanotti

William Zanotti

Co-Founder and CEO

Co-Founder and CEO

Digilence

Digilence

Tina Waedt

Tina Waedt

Representation and public relations

Representation and public relations

Chambre Franco-Allemande

Chambre Franco-Allemande

Thibaud Le Ségullion

Thibaud Le Ségullion

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Industrya

Industrya

Pierre Joffredo

Pierre Joffredo

Director and Chartered Accountant

Director and Chartered Accountant

Duthilleul et Associés (D&A)

Duthilleul et Associés (D&A)

Ann-Kristin Benthien

Ann-Kristin Benthien

Founder - Expert en Synergies Franco-Allemandes

Founder - Expert en Synergies Franco-Allemandes

AKB Coaching

AKB Coaching

FAQ

Who can apply?

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

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

Is applying for an Award or Startup Challenge free?

Your personal data is collected by Crédit Agricole S.A., 12 Place des Etats-Unis, 92120 Montrouge, as the data controller, so that you can participate in the Challenge organized from 18/03/2026 during the Vivatech event, called: “Digital Sustainability Training Modules”. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right, under the conditions provided by law, to access your personal data at any time, to exercise your right to data portability, to have it rectified, to request its erasure in compliance with legal obligations, to object to its processing, to define general or specific instructions regarding the fate of your personal data after your death, or to restrict its processing for legitimate reasons. You can access more detailed information on the protection of your personal data by consulting, in particular, Article 13: “Personal data protection” of the challenge rules.

Your personal data is collected by Crédit Agricole S.A., 12 Place des Etats-Unis, 92120 Montrouge, as the data controller, so that you can participate in the Challenge organized from 18/03/2026 during the Vivatech event, called: “Digital Sustainability Training Modules”. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right, under the conditions provided by law, to access your personal data at any time, to exercise your right to data portability, to have it rectified, to request its erasure in compliance with legal obligations, to object to its processing, to define general or specific instructions regarding the fate of your personal data after your death, or to restrict its processing for legitimate reasons. You can access more detailed information on the protection of your personal data by consulting, in particular, Article 13: “Personal data protection” of the challenge rules.

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