Mael Fabien, Co-founder and CEO of Biped, a startup that uses robotics to design solutions for blind and visually impaired people, and Philippe Ensarguet, Vice President of Software Engineering at Orange give us their perspectives on attending VivaTech.
Mics, Media, and Million-Dollar Handshakes
VivaTech partners with some of the biggest names in media and journalism, think CNN, The Financial Times, or Euronews, helping startups gain even more exposure. Founders and startups attending VivaTech have the opportunity to connect with key players in the world of technology, which is especially important for finding investors and gaining exposure. Attending conferences, participating in awards, or simply showcasing at VivaTech opens the door for startups looking to supercharge their exposure, both in France and internationally.
Philippe Ensarguet offers his perspective as someone working for a large company like Orange, saying that "VivaTech is a top B2B event because it's a blend of startups... companies, [and] investors... all three together fostering on collaboration and innovation.” He also notes that the opportunity to network is one of his favorite aspects about VivaTech.
From the perspective of a founder, Mael Fabien highlights the networking aspect of VivaTech, especially for startups. "One of my favorite parts of VivaTech is definitely the networking. I think it's really the connections you keep long term after VivaTech and then you've got context that you can work on and activate year-round. And so, people remember your presence at VivaTech."
He also applauds the diverse crowd at the event, saying that "there's a unique audience that you'd find at VivaTech that is very hard to find anywhere else in the world."
Shoulder to Shoulder with Industry Giants
VivaTech puts startups at the forefront of the event, allowing them to showcase innovations next to industry giants, think Amazon, Verizon, or Meta. Some of the world's largest tech companies are present at VivaTech to collaborate and do business next to startups.
Fabien recounted the story of when his startup's booth at VivaTech received several visits from French ministers, including the Minister of Health, who came and tried the device made by his startup. He said that "for startups, having the opportunity to showcase their innovation in central alleys close by to the very big names is something that yeah, that exposure is definitely worth it. "
Fabien also added that "there's a great spotlight on startups and it's not so much the case in other events where startups usually have a very small booth."
In the end, many VivaTech attendees are there to be inspired by, connect with, and make deals with startups. Ensarguet highlights that he is "attending VivaTech to connect with industry leaders, discover emerging technologies, explore partnership and opportunities. And perhaps most importantly, being [spurred] by unusual and disruptive companies."
Making the Most of It
Both Fabien and Ensarguet agree on one thing in particular: preparation is key for first-time attendees.
Startups, especially, have a lot to prepare before VivaTech. While Fabien says that being at VivaTech is an initial push, he believes that working on exposure, contacting journalists, and having media kits ready can help a startup get the most out of their time there.
"I think for startups to get prepared is definitely my main piece of advice, having the media kit ready, having super clear action points like once you have visitors, what do you want them to do?" Having a clear goal in mind of what you want to accomplish at VivaTech and what the steps are to get it done will help you get closer to tangible results, whether it's investment, new partnerships, media exposure, or something else entirely.
He also adds that working on connections and networking in the evening is vital. "Working on these contacts at night, adding people on LinkedIn afterward, just following up. Super basic pieces of advice. They just make the difference. "
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