By Bernard Bangda
Paris, Porte de Versailles. From June 14 to 17, 2023, the world’s technology elite will gather for the 7th edition of Viva Technology (Vivatech), Europe’s largest startup and technology event. A true accelerator of innovation and transformation, the four-day event will bring together startups, technology leaders, major companies, public players and investors from all over the world. In Paris, a number of themes will be addressed that are at the heart of technological challenges.
Starting with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Its contribution to human activity and its rapid evolution are driving major changes in the technological ecosystem. In financial terms, AI currently represents a market share estimated at $500 billion. As AI raises questions of impact and opportunity as well as risk, ethics and regulation, GoMicro (Australia), OrAigo (Italy) and Jumbo Mana (France) will present their solutions at VivaTech.
For the first time at VivaTech, FemTech will be discussing women’s wellbeing, menstrual health, reproduction and contraception
In Paris, energy and climate issues will be addressed. In a context where Climate Tech solutions are being developed in all markets to meet the challenges of sustainability, Sweetch Energy (France) and Neoplants (France) will be showcasing their expertise.
Inclusion and diversity are also on the agenda of VivaTech 2023. To contribute to the positive transformation of the world of work, entrepreneurs are reinventing education, training and work by combining new technologies, responding to human resource needs and addressing societal challenges.
For the first time, the involvement of women in technology will be highlighted. A FemTech Village will be set up at the heart of VivaTech. There will be discussions on women’s wellbeing, menstrual health, reproduction and contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding, mental health and more.
Sport will not be left out. Especially as VivaTech takes place one year before the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and 100 days before the Rugby World Cup. In partnership with Global Sports Week, France’s leading international sports ecosystem forum, VivaTech will contribute to the positive transformation of sport in Europe. The two organizations are joining forces to connect key stakeholders in sport for a sustainable and inclusive future through a rich program of conferences and debates led by a number of sports tech startups such as Sirius (Switzerland) and Orange Velodrome (France).
Africatech, a zone with eight country pavilions and more than 100 startups dedicated to Africa
Cybersecurity, Web3 and DeepTech, as well as the Creative Economy are other themes at this year’s VivaTech.
In Paris, 32 countries from all continents will be represented at VivaTech. Africa will be represented by South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco. With a dedicated Africatech zone featuring eight country pavilions and over 100 startups.
What’s more, for the second year running, the AfricaTech Awards will present three winners (one in each category) on the VivaTech stage. This initiative, co-organized with the IFC, aims to recognize and support the most innovative startups in the Climate Tech, Health Tech and Fintech sectors.