Experience VivaTech 2025 | 11 June

#1 | Major announcements – AI, talent and new horizons 

• Jensen Huang / NVIDIA: A milestone keynote and the announcement of a strategic partnership with Mistral AI. The ambition? To launch sovereign AI cloud solutions in Europe, with new data centres in France and the goal of establishing Paris as a global hub for AI training.
• Yann LeCun (Meta): A headline talk on generative AI, passionately advocating for open, explainable and ethical AI. His stance stood in direct contrast—and open debate—with that of Elon Musk.
• IBM x Auchan: The first live demonstration of the Smart Green Pallet. Think blockchain, recycled plastic, a 30 per cent reduction in CO₂ and traceable logistics. This industrial supply chain innovation caught the attention of attendees and international buyers alike.
• Terratis: The live launch of sterile insect technique against the tiger mosquito. A simple, useful and exportable invention that worked instantly—and sparked curiosity among visitors.
• New countries: Lebanon, El Salvador, Nigeria and Poland participated for the first time. South Korea opted for a more discreet presence than at CES Las Vegas. With over 160 nationalities present, VivaTech confirmed its status as the international must-attend event for tech and innovation. 
• Saudi Arabia: A monumental stand from Monsha’at and five high-potential startups. Vision 2030 took centre stage, featuring deep tech, smart cities and AI—plus a second stand fully dedicated to investment. Business meetings were plentiful, and a friendly rivalry with the UAE was evident as both nations sought to attract global investors. 

#2 | AI, tech sovereignty and the Nvidia effect 

There is no doubt that we are at a critical juncture. AI is evolving from promise to infrastructure. Nvidia is making Paris a strategic base for AI cloud. SNCF is finally embedding AI (SOFIA) into predictive maintenance and customer experience. Yann LeCun has sparked renewed debate around openness and ethics in AI. Now it is Europe’s move: can we align AI, energy and data, or will we fall behind the curve? 

#3 | Countries, colours and showmanship – VivaTech 2025 goes global 

VivaTech is becoming a geopolitical stage. Over 160 country delegations, 50 national pavilions, a commanding presence from Canada and high-profile stands from both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Gulf states are clearly in competition for leadership in tech investment, each determined to make their pavilion the destination for startups and venture capital.

French Tech, French Fab, French Touch and Bpifrance were everywhere—visible on badges and lapels via the now-iconic French coq pins.

Notably, only two countries—France and Germany—teamed up for a joint stand: the French-German Tech Lab. Both flags flew side by side, perhaps signalling the legacy of cooperation, perhaps the future of binational innovation. 

#4 | New and unmissable innovations 

• Tesla CyberCab: This futuristic, all-electric, autonomous taxi turned heads. Gull-wing doors, no driver, no steering wheel, no pedals. Live urban demo and partnership plans for Europe are already underway. 
• Software République: A uniquely French brand of “coopetition”. Orange, Thales, Renault and Dassault Systèmes joined forces to present shared mobility solutions. A clear sign that even legacy rivals can unite around the smart mobility cause.
• Paper lives on: For the record, paper is not dead, with entry to VivaTech 2025 still requiring a physical badge. A quiet nod to the paper traditionalists. 

#5 | Number of the day and fun fact 

Number of the day: 75% 

That is the remarkable share of VivaTech 2025 visitors who hold a “C-level” position (CEO, CTO, CIO, etc.), confirming that the event has become the leading European summit where decision-makers truly come to negotiate and seek inspiration. 

Fun fact — coloured rooster pins and communities: 

At VivaTech, each rooster-shaped pin represents a community:

• Pink = French tech/startups and innovation
• Green = ecological transition
• Blue = French fab/industry
• Orange = French touch/creativity and culture

A fun and efficient way to show where you belong. 

#6 | Our take 

VivaTech 2025 is moving—visibly and finally—from concept to execution. The innovations are real. AI and mobility are maturing. The international scene is growing richer each year, from the towering Saudi display to the standout Canadian pavilion.

The challenges remain—keeping pace, upholding ethics and securing sovereignty—but the momentum is unmistakable.

At Forvis Mazars, we are as energised by the spirit as we are by the substance. Seeing familiar faces, witnessing increasingly sophisticated prototypes and watching projects gain traction—this is what keeps the VivaTech magic alive.

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See you tomorrow for our next recap!