Spearheading Sovereignty
Germany has positioned itself as a hub of innovation and technology, with the largest tech ecosystem in the European Union, boasting over 11 billion euros in investment into German startups in 2025. Germany becoming an innovation power house did not happen by accident but instead is the result of strong national commitment to fostering growth and establishing digital sovereignty.
The Franco-German partnership has been a strong force in pushing for creating a strong European tech ecosystem, working to support European-native tech, embracing new regulation that allows for tech growth, and striving for sovereignty. The two countries lead the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty in the autumn of 2025, which united 27 European countries to discuss the digital future of the continent. This foundation of the collaboration makes Germany the perfect choice for Country of the Year, bringing their delegation to the French Capital for Europe’s largest startup and tech event.
“We are thrilled to represent Germany as Partner Country of the Year at VivaTech 2026 and to showcase our vibrant startup scene. To strengthen our technological and digital sovereignty as well as to modernize the state, we rely on innovative, high-quality products.” said Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation Dr. Karsten Wildberger. “VivaTech offers the perfect platform to work towards this common goal and take the next leap together.”
Innovation & Investment Powerhouse
While the German tech ecosystem is strongest in energy and clean tech, there is a strong push for development across sectors including quantum, deeptech, microelectronics, and AI. Berlin is not only known for techno, but also a thriving tech scene. It’s the second largest tech hub in the EU, just after Paris. With over 500 new startups established each year, there is no doubt it is a thriving startup system. Outside of Berlin the Rhine-Main-Neckar IT cluster, is one of the strongest in the world, often called the Silicon Valley of Europe.
See it at VivaTech
Joining the delegation in Paris this year are over 200 startups, 150 stakeholders and partners, from support programs to research projects, 14 Federal states, and several minister and C-level executives. It will be centralized on the 800m² booth with the theme “United by_”.
Let’s dive into some of the sectors and startups being showcased.
Energy
The German tech scene is strongest in the energy sector, with over 2 billion in investment last year. There is a strong push for clean energy technology, to align with the goal of reducing emissions by 65% by 2030. Germany has heavily invested in this goal, with approximately 90 billion in funding each year.
CibusCell
CibusCell is developing an AI-powered platform to simplify the planning, operation, and scaling of hybrid energy systems, connecting technical, operational, market, and environmental data across renewables, storage, hydrogen, and industrial demand to help businesses navigate the growing complexity of the energy transition
Deeptech
This year at VivaTech, the Germany pavilion will have a focus on deep tech, showing how cutting edge innovation and future-oriented technologies create value for everyone from industries to societies.
iMouse
iMouse is leveraging AI-driven behavioral phenotyping to transform preclinical drug research and tackle the 92% failure rate that plagues pharmaceutical development, improving the predictability of animal models to help bring safer, more effective treatments to patients faster. Stop in and check them out on Friday.
Artificial intelligence
AI is the topic on everyone’s lips, and Germany will not be left out. They will be bringing several startups focusing on the use and implementation of AI across sectors. Accompanying the startups will be Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, who will speak on how the government plans to implement these home-grown technologies.
Gretchen AI
Gretchen AI is building the trust layer for the digital age, developing AI-powered technology that detects manipulated content, including deepfakes, AI-generated images, and voice clones, to help individuals and organisations accurately assess the authenticity, integrity, and origin of the media they encounter.
Meet Germany at VivaTech 2026 in Paris
Germany’s designation as VivaTech 2026 Country of the Year is more than a title...it’s a chance to see a leading European tech ecosystem in action. Join us in Paris to discover the startups, programs and partners shaping the next decade of innovation. Get your pass now.
