VivaTech 2025 Innovation Award Spotlights Visionary Startups

The Innovation of the Year Award at VivaTech 2025 celebrates the boldest and most visionary startups exhibiting at the event. Open to all exhibiting companies, this prestigious award honors those pushing the boundaries of technology and redefining entire industries with breakthrough ideas and scalable solutions.

Startups were evaluated based on three key criteria: Innovation & Creativity, Market Disruption, and Scalability. Out of hundreds of applicants, 30 startups made the short list, showcasing a remarkable range of cutting-edge technologies and visionary concepts.

The top five finalists will pitch live at VivaTech on June 11, with the winner announced at the VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony on June 12. The grand prize includes a coveted pitch slot at the ceremony, a free Startup Corner at VivaTech 2026, and an exclusive spot in the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200, a launchpad for the world’s most promising startups.

What truly sets this award apart is its recognition of teams that do more than just dream—they build the future from the ground up. This year’s applicants impressed with innovations ranging from photonic chips that could revolutionize computing, to AI that reads minds to control devices, to bioelectronic implants fighting brain cancer.

The shortlisted startups also tackle pressing global challenges in sustainability, human-machine interfaces, advanced diagnostics, and accessible healthcare. For example, some are converting mining waste into carbon sinks, while others develop microrobot swarms for space exploration—showcasing a blend of scientific rigor and bold creativity.

Here are some of the top 30 startups selected by VivaTech in partnership with TechCrunch, representing diverse sectors and geographies:

• Chipiron (France) – Health
• Virtuosis AI (Switzerland) – Information Technologies
• Enerdrape SA (Switzerland) – Energy
• snap DISCOVERY (Germany) – Deep Tech, Brain-Computer Interfaces
• NunoX Technologies (Taiwan) – Software Development/Cloud Services

This list continues with startups from various countries including France, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, Nigeria, Spain, and the UK, covering sectors such as health, energy, media, telecom, finance, and mobility. Each represents a unique approach to innovation with the potential to disrupt markets and improve lives.

For anyone attending VivaTech in Paris on July 11-12, this event is a must-see for witnessing the future of technology unfold live. The Innovation of the Year Award not only spotlights game-changing startups but also inspires the entire tech ecosystem to dream bigger and build smarter.

In a world where innovation can feel incremental, VivaTech’s Innovation of the Year Award reminds us that boldness and creativity remain the engines of transformative change. These startups are not just solving today's problems—they are shaping tomorrow’s possibilities.