Next Startupper Challenge
- Viva Technology
VivaTech accelerates innovation by connecting startups, tech leaders, major companies, and investors responding to our world’s biggest challenges.
Each year, over four exciting days in Paris, VivaTech creates Europe’s biggest startup and tech event. Exploring the most disruptive topics in tech with world-premiere demos, launches, and conferences in a collaborative ecosystem. This is where business meets innovation.
- FrenchfoundersKnowledge partner
Since 2014, Frenchfounders has built an international French-speaking business network of over 25,000 leaders, including 4,000 decision-makers and executives within the Club, and more than 120 partner companies.
Frenchfounders provides its members and partner companies with a digital platform and a dedicated team to facilitate connections and create business opportunities through various offerings.
Award description
This inter-school and university award is the perfect opportunity for the new generation of entrepreneurs working on impactful projects to make their dreams a reality!
Do you have an entrepreneurial project in development? Do you want to accelerate your project by presenting your innovative solution to experts in tech and entrepreneurship?
Don’t miss this chance to shine at VivaTech and win €5,000!
What’s New for the Next Startupper Challenge 2025
This year, the NSC winner will be rewarded during our grand awards ceremony on Stage 1, alongside the winners of the Female Founder Challenge, the AfricaTech & the Tech4Change Awards.
Additionally, the Award is going international, opening participation to talents worldwide!
Eligibility criteria
★ Have an entrepreneurial, innovative, and tech/digital-oriented project
★ Have a project with a positive impact
★ Have a project/startup created less than three years ago
★ Speak english
Selection criteria
Positive impact
Social and/or environmental positive impact of the project
Innovation
Relevance, originality, and level of technological innovation compared to existing alternatives
Scalability
Feasibility, realism, and viability (technical, economic, and environmental) of the solution’s implementation
Entrepreneur profile
Vision and ambition, team complementarity, market and customer knowledge, technical and commercial skills, and ability to articulate ideas (pitch deck)
Rewards
FOR THE 6 FINALISTS
★ Speaker Passes (4-day VIP access)
★ Pitch session in the Pitch Studio
★ Dedicated program during the 4 days of the eventFOR THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER
★ €5,000 check
★ A startup corner at the 2026 edition
★ A package of 3 targeted introductions with
C-level members of the Frenchfounders network
Our Timeline
- 1
January 13
Challenge
launch - 2
March 10
Application
deadline - 3
March 28
Announcement of
the 6 Finalists - 4
June 11
Finalists’ Pitch
Session at VivaTech - 5
June 12
Awards Ceremony
at VivaTech