Viva Technology, commonly known as VivaTech, is an annual technology conference and event held in Paris, France, dedicated to fostering innovation by connecting startups, corporate leaders, investors, and policymakers. It was founded in 2016 by Publicis Groupe and Groupe Les Echos-Le Parisien to create a centralized platform for startup-corporate collaborations. The event was established to accelerate digital transformation and position Paris as a competitive European hub, addressing the need for a unified ecosystem outside of Silicon Valley's dominance.
The mechanism involves a four-day event at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, featuring product demonstrations, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities. The event is structured to facilitate business connections, with the first two or three days typically reserved for professionals and the final day open to the public. Key features include the VivaTech Awards, such as the Female Founder Challenge, which recognize innovative ventures.
VivaTech is closely connected to the French government's tech strategy, serving as the platform where French President Emmanuel Macron launched the French Tech initiative in 2017. More recently, the conference has become a central forum for discussions on technological sovereignty, with European leaders using it to announce initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on U.S.-controlled technologies, particularly in AI and cloud services. A significant recent change occurred in 2024 with the introduction of the Impact Bridge, a dedicated space for startups with environmental or societal projects, and the event also achieved ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management. The focus has increasingly centered on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the 2025 edition emphasizing the transition of AI from conceptual to applied realities across various industries.