AI is moving from experimentation to everyday operations, and the conversation has shifted from technological potential to human performance. Leaders must run the business of Now while preparing their people for what comes Next.
ManpowerGroup created these challenges to partner with startups building human-first, AI-powered solutions that help organizations and workers navigate this duality; delivering results today while building the skills and systems for tomorrow.
The context: Always-on talent, human judgment when it counts. Organizations need to fill roles, fast, yet workforce delivery often depends on human availability or multiple vendors and tools which are time consuming to manage. How can agentic AI add value at scale, particularly to solve redeployment when a temporary assignment ends?
What we are looking for: Agentic AI for always-on workforce delivery. We are looking for examples where AI provides speed and scale, humans give the edge. AI does the heavy lifting; humans make the calls that count.
The context: Always-on talent, human judgment when it counts. Organizations need to fill roles, fast, yet workforce delivery often depends on human availability or multiple vendors and tools which are time consuming to manage. How can agentic AI add value at scale, particularly to solve redeployment when a temporary assignment ends?
What we are looking for: Agentic AI for always-on workforce delivery. We are looking for examples where AI provides speed and scale, humans give the edge. AI does the heavy lifting; humans make the calls that count.
The context: Your skills, your data, your next move AI has the potential to reshape jobs at scale – and people need to see where their skills fit and feel ownership of their careers. How do we put people in the driving seat and ensure they are prepared for tech advancements to make their work lives better? What we are looking for: We’re looking for AI solutions that put people in control of their careers—making skills visible, portable and actionable. Help individuals understand where their skills fit, own their data, and confidently navigate what’s next as jobs and technology evolve.
Clear value proposition for human-first, AI-powered workforce transformation.
Innovation & Differentiation
Original solution with a strong innovation edge and defensible approach.
Scalability Potential
Ability to scale globally across markets, industries, and workforce segments.
Team and Vision
Committed team with a clear long-term vision and execution capability.
Market Traction
Demonstrated adoption, customer validation, or strong product-market fit.
Rewards
Win a Proof of Concept
Collaborate with ManpowerGroup to develop and pilot a proof of concept within one of our global markets.
Pitch at VivaTech on the Pitch Studio
Selected startups pitch their solutions live as part of the ManpowerGroup VivaTech Challenge.
Meet Our Clients
Join a ManpowerGroup-hosted client event and connect directly with enterprise leaders.
Global Visibility
Present to ManpowerGroup stakeholders worldwide and meet our Chief Growth and Innovation Officer.
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.
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.
