Now in its ninth edition, VivaTech 2025 has solidified its position as Europe’s foremost startup and technology gathering, taking place from June 11 to 14 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, it unites over 13,500 startups, more than 3,500 exhibitors, and thousands of investors and corporates to foster collaboration and tackle global technological and societal challenges. The atmosphere is notably inclusive: startups and large enterprises share intertwined booth spaces, promoting an egalitarian spirit where innovation is visible and accessible to all attendees.
This year’s event showcased a diverse array of groundbreaking innovations, from robotic prosthetics and quantum-safe cybersecurity to AI-driven beauty solutions and next-generation emergency response systems.
One of the standout exhibits was Renault’s Vision 4Rescue concept vehicle, introduced by the collaborative Software République ecosystem, a consortium of seven European firms including Atos, Dassault Systèmes, JCDecaux, Orange, Renault Group, STMicroelectronics, and Thales. This electric emergency response system integrates 20 interconnected technologies aiming to transform first responders’ effectiveness amid increasingly frequent and complex crises in France—where natural disasters have surged fivefold in 15 years. The concept was developed with direct input from frontline responders like the Paris Fire Brigade, incorporating resilient communication networks that operate even when conventional infrastructure fails. Technologies include hybrid networks and 5G nodes from Orange and Green Communications, Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twins for real-time disaster simulation, and Thales’ long-range drones capable of geolocating phones in risk zones and transmitting alerts to civilians. The project highlights the vital importance of coordination and rapid decision-making in emergencies, embodying a fusion of cutting-edge tech with real-world impact.
In another domain, L’Oréal unveiled pioneering AI-powered customer experiences that blend generative AI and agentic systems for personalisation at an unprecedented scale. Their Beauty Genius assistant, developed in partnership with Meta, will soon offer 24/7 personalised beauty guidance via WhatsApp. Other innovations include AI tools designed to enhance human support teams rather than replace them, streamlining repetitive workflows and allowing agents to deepen consumer relationships. L’Oréal also backs Noli, an AI-native marketplace startup leveraging over one million facial scans and sophisticated algorithms to offer hyper-personalised product recommendations across multiple brands, illustrating how AI is reshaping beauty retail through enhanced consumer understanding.
Accessibility and affordability in robotics were showcased by South Korean startup Mand.ro, whose robotic prosthetic hands demonstrate impressive dexterity and functionality at a fraction of conventional prosthesis costs. The Mark 5 series begins at around $1,500, significantly reducing barriers to entry, while the advanced Mark 7 series offers wireless control and fine articulation. A tactile example of their innovation was a robotic hand holding a French baguette, underscoring the fine motor skills these devices can achieve. The technology has made a tangible difference, notably enabling a Kenyan police officer to return to duty after losing a hand. Mand.ro’s decade-long development journey from hackathon prototype to commercial-ready products extends across underserved communities and tech-savvy users alike, with hopes to expand European partnerships after VivaTech exposure.
Quantum computing’s security challenges also took centre stage at Orange Business’s pavilion, where they launched France’s first commercial quantum-safe network, the Orange Quantum Defender. This fibre-based system employs quantum key distribution with encryption keys transmitted as qubits, which change state when intercepted, thus inherently preventing eavesdropping by quantum hackers. This represents a leap beyond traditional encryption, protecting sensitive data from the looming threat of “store now, decrypt later” attacks that exploit future quantum computing power. Orange’s approach includes consultancy, post-quantum cryptography software using NIST-approved algorithms, and this quantum hardware solution developed with Toshiba Europe. While initially costly and expected to serve sectors like banking, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, Orange sees the technology maturing over time to become more widely accessible. Moreover, Orange’s participation in the EuroQCI initiative to build a secure quantum communication network across the EU, combined with satellite integration via the IRIS² constellation projected for 2027-2028, signals a strategic commitment to European quantum resilience.
Beyond the innovations on display, VivaTech 2025 continues to be a vibrant hub where technology meets business and societal evolution. It fosters partnerships that bridge startups and established firms, catalysing groundbreaking ideas into market-ready solutions. In line with this, TechCrunch has partnered with VivaTech to award the VivaTech Innovation of the Year, spotlighting startups that push the boundaries of creativity and industrial impact during the event.
The reach of VivaTech now extends globally, with national governments like Nigeria’s actively inviting their startups to participate, highlighting the event’s influential role in accelerating digital innovation worldwide. This year’s spectrum of themes—from AI and quantum computing to sustainability and health longevity—reflects broader trends reshaping industries and societies, encapsulating the forward-looking spirit that defines this marquee annual tech rendezvous.
Source: Noah Wire Services
