Each year, VivaTech spotlights the boldest startups transforming the world. For 2025, the Innovation of the Year Award has once again drawn trailblazers from across the globe — and the shortlist is nothing short of thrilling.
The 30 startups selected this year reflect daring ideas with powerful implications, ranging from mind-controlled tech to carbon-negative innovation. The VivaTech jury evaluated hundreds of applicants, scoring them based on creativity, industry disruption, and scalability. Now, the spotlight shifts to the finalists, five of whom will pitch live at VivaTech on June 11. The ultimate winner will be announced the next day during the Global Awards Ceremony.
High Stakes, Big Rewards
The stakes are high. The winner won’t just walk away with a trophy but will also receive a free Startup Corner slot at VivaTech 2026, a coveted pitch opportunity at the ceremony, and a golden ticket to TechCrunch’s prestigious Startup Battlefield 200.
What sets this year’s crop apart is not just innovation but execution. These startups are not dabbling in hypotheticals — they’re building tangible tech with profound societal impacts. From .lumen’s mobility glasses acting as robotic guide dogs for the visually impaired, to InSimili’s bioelectronic implants designed to target brain cancer, the shortlist reflects frontier thinking grounded in real-world application.
Europe Dominates, Africa Enters the Chat
French innovation dominates the list, boasting 12 startups ranging from cloud computing to sustainable industry solutions. However, global representation is clear. The United Kingdom appears with two powerful contenders — BeyondMath and Werover — while Nigeria’s Zeeh Africa shines as the sole African startup, shaking up the fintech scene.
Other entrants are exploring equally ambitious frontiers. One startup is working on AI interfaces that can interpret human thought to operate digital devices. Another, Blue Skies Minerals from Canada, is turning mining waste into environmental assets by transforming it into carbon sinks.
Here’s the Full List of 30 Selected Startups
Spanning diverse sectors like health, energy, mobility, and entertainment, here are the chosen startups:
Chipiron (France), Virtuosis AI (Switzerland), Enerdrape SA (Switzerland), snap DISCOVERY (Germany), NunoX Technologies (Taiwan), Phigi (France), Noxon (Germany), .lumen (Romania), HUA TEC International (Taiwan), Video Analytics for Safety (Singapore), Geolinks Services (France), Moonlite Labs (Canada), Stellaria (France), Mendo (France), NeuralTeks (France), Vita325 (Ukraine), Blue Skies Minerals GmbH (Canada), Anivance AI (Taiwan), La Touche Musicale (France), InSimili (Italy), Nellow (France), Oncoelectronics (France), Zeeh Africa (Nigeria), LumiSync (France), Onkos Molecular Diagnostics (Spain), Wisp Solutions (France), Werover (United Kingdom), BeyondMath (United Kingdom), Kumulus (France).
The bar has clearly been raised this year. Each team in the top 30 has already proven they can compete with the best in the world. As the countdown to June 12 begins, all eyes are on Paris to see which daring idea will take centre stage and redefine what’s possible.
I am passionate about crafting stories, vibing to good music (and making some too), debating Nigeria’s political future like it’s the World Cup, and finding the perfect quiet spot to work and unwind.
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