PARIS – VivaTech is one of the world’s largest technology conferences, attracting 200,000 participants from more than 165 countries, thousands of startups, global technology giants and dozens of heads of state, cementing its place as a major stop on the international tech calendar.
Speaking on the sidelines of VivaTech, Managing Director François Bitouzet told The AI Innovator that the conference’s success stems from a simple idea: bringing together every stakeholder involved in innovation under one roof.
“Viva Tech is a one-stop shop for the best of innovation in business in Europe,” Bitouzet said at the event, which sponsored this journalist’s trip. “Europe is a huge market – and this a way to make the most of Europe and develop close partnerships.”
Founded by Maurice Lévy, chairman of advertising giant Publicis Groupe, and luxury conglomerate LVMH, VivaTech launched in 2016 to fill a gap. There wasn’t a general, B2B technology conference in Europe at the time, Bitouzet said. Other tech conferences were either industry- or company-specific.
A second motivation was to showcase Europe’s strengths to the world, that it’s not just the U.S. and China that can innovate. “We have innovation, we have talents. Let the world discover them, thanks to an event that will bring the world to Europe to see this amazing success,” Bitouzet said.
A key decision came early in the conference’s history when organizers decided the event would be held in English. Bitouzet said the move signaled that VivaTech was intended to be a global gathering rather than a French event with international visitors.
VivaTech brings together companies from sectors ranging from health care and finance to luxury goods, manufacturing and energy. The event also blends startup founders, large enterprises, investors, policymakers and government leaders.
Looking ahead, organizers are considering how VivaTech can evolve beyond a four-day annual gathering. While Paris will remain its home, Bitouzet said the organization is exploring ways to extend its reach to potentially new formats outside France.
For now, Bitouzet believes VivaTech’s mission remains unchanged: serving as a global meeting place where business leaders, startups and governments come together to shape the future of technology.
“VivaTech makes Paris the world capital of innovation, tech, and startups by bringing together all those who are inventing tomorrow. We were particularly impressed by the energy and the positive, constructive atmosphere expressed by all participants,” according to a joint statement by Lévy, Bitouzet and Michèle Benbunan, co-president of VivaTech and CEO of LVMH’s press division.
“This 10th edition reaffirmed the event’s role: creating a space for exchange among all stakeholders from around the world, showcasing innovations that are transforming our societies, fostering connections between startups and investors, and highlighting all French and European innovations. This year’s edition was not a celebration of the nine previous years, but the opening of a new decade full of promise for the innovations to come.”
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