2024 Awards & Challenges
AfricaTech awards
For the third year running, the AfricaTech Awards aim to highlight innovative startups working for the development of the African continent in three categories: Climate Tech, Health Tech and FinTech. New this year, the FinTech category includes e-commerce, a sector that could create around 3 million jobs on the African continent by 2025.
More than 310 applications from 37 African countries were received this year in these three categories. VivaTech and its Knowledge Partner, Deloitte, have selected 45 startups to compete for the 2024 awards. They were chosen for the tangible impact their activities have on society or the environment, the creation of a remarkable innovation, the scalability of their business on the African market, and the constitution of a diverse and experienced team.
Following a second evaluation by a panel of experts comprising C-Levels partners, investors and incubator CEOs, the top three startups in each category will be invited to Viva Technology, and the winners in each category will be presented with their prizes on Stage One on Friday 24 May, in the presence of Edouard Mendy, this year's patron. Grand champion of the 2021 African Cup of Nations and voted best goalkeeper of the year in 2022, Edouard Mendy is also very committed to the development of the African tech market, where he has already made a number of investments.
The list of the 45 startups selected can be found
here
Female Founder Challenge
For the sixth consecutive year, VivaTech is organizing the Female Founder Challenge, this year with the support of Mazars, JCDecaux and Verizon. The aim is to facilitate meetings between VCs and women entrepreneurs in order to accelerate the financing of startups run by women and encourage VC funds to commit to greater gender equality at all levels. This year saw a record 589 applications from 74 different countries, an increase of 23% on last year.
The five finalists - Daria Stepanova (AIRMO), Pamela Pardini (Bionirs), Alyssa Emmungil (HappyPal), Albane Dersy (Inbolt) and Flore Lestrade (Veeton) - out of the
30 shortlisted will pitch their projects on 23 May on Stage One, in front of a jury made up of investors and major companies such as JCDecaux, Mazars, General Catalyst, Iris, SistaFund, Left Lane and 50inTech.
Last year's winner, Zuzanna Stamirowska, founder of the French DeepTech startup Pathway, the first Python framework for easily building data products, received the prize from the hands of French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. The startup is continuing its success and last July launched its data processing engine, which enables generative AIs to "forget" inappropriate information.
LVMH Innovation award
Every year at VivaTech, the LVMH Innovation Award recognizes the most promising startups capable of supporting the Group in its quest for excellence to innovate and transform the customer experience in the luxury industry, increase the desirability of the brand and guarantee its exemplary nature. This challenge is a unique opportunity for startups to create partnerships with the Group's Houses, with prominent positioning on the LVMH stand at VivaTech, in Le Jardin des Rêves, and access to the acceleration program La Maison des Startups LVMH.
During the ceremony, 18 finalist startups are awarded in six categories (omnichannel & retail, image & media for brand desirability, immersive digital experience, operations excellence, employee experience, diversity & inclusion, sustainability & greentech), plus a special mention dedicated to Data, AI & GenAI. The overall winner will be named by Bernard Arnault on Stage One on the 23rd of May at 10.00 am.
Next Startupper Challenge
The Next Startupper Challenge, organized in partnership with FrenchFounders and with the support of CCI France, gives budding entrepreneurs and startups the chance to pitch their projects in real-life conditions, test their concepts, and make valuable connections with investors, mentors and peers.
To take part this year, students had to propose a project with a positive impact. The seven finalists are invited to VivaTech on Saturday 25 May at 10 am on Stage 3, where they will receive mentoring to help them take their project to the next level. The winner receives a prize of EUR 5,000 and a startup corner at the next edition of VivaTech.
This year's Next Startupper Challenge is sponsored by Stéphanie Delestre of Volubile, and the jury includes Jules Simiand Brocherie of ExtraStudent, Paul Lê of La Belle Vie, Franck Sebag of EY, Sixtine Moullé-Berteaux of crayon média and Julia Lemarchand of Echos Start.
The seven finalists are Charbel Sayah (Mushtic), Louise Éon (Resilient), Etienne Sandillon (Etheia), Hedy Berzane (Mate AI), Maë Legardeur (Hypocaps), Jacques de Montigny (Green Fusyon) and Marine Guilbaud (CreaGum).