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Back to the Awards

Tech for Change
Tech for Change
Tech for Change
Tech for Change
Innovation That Moves the World Forward
Innovation That Moves the World Forward
Innovation That Moves the World Forward
Innovation That Moves the World Forward
Tech For Change : a Recognition & an Award

Built on the conviction that economic value and positive impact can reinforce each other, the Tech For Change recognizes exhibiting startups that place measurable positive impact at the core of their business model. 

Apply now and join us for the 10th edition of VivaTech, taking place 17–20 June 2026 in Paris. 

Apply Now

Apply Now

Tech For Change

VivaTech is where innovation meets business, and where innovation meets impact.  
In 2026, for the second edition of the Tech For Change, our recognition highlights 500 impactful exhibiting startups fostering solutions in three main areas: Environment, Society, and Health.  

From all the Tech For Change recognized startups, the most outstanding ventures enter the Tech For Change Award selection : the Top 30  (10 per category) and the Top 6 finalists (2 per category).  

The 6 finalists will pitch live on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, on the Pitch Studio stage, before the Grand Winner is announced the next day at VivaTech’s Global Innovation Awards Ceremony on Stage One, earning major visibility throughout the event. 

Make your impact visible. 

VivaTech is where innovation meets business, and where innovation meets impact.  
In 2026, for the second edition of the Tech For Change, our recognition highlights 500 impactful exhibiting startups fostering solutions in three main areas: Environment, Society, and Health.  

From all the Tech For Change recognized startups, the most outstanding ventures enter the Tech For Change Award selection : the Top 30  (10 per category) and the Top 6 finalists (2 per category).  

The 6 finalists will pitch live on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, on the Pitch Studio stage, before the Grand Winner is announced the next day at VivaTech’s Global Innovation Awards Ceremony on Stage One, earning major visibility throughout the event. 

Make your impact visible. 

VivaTech is where innovation meets business, and where innovation meets impact.  
In 2026, for the second edition of the Tech For Change, our recognition highlights 500 impactful exhibiting startups fostering solutions in three main areas: Environment, Society, and Health.  

From all the Tech For Change recognized startups, the most outstanding ventures enter the Tech For Change Award selection : the Top 30  (10 per category) and the Top 6 finalists (2 per category).  

The 6 finalists will pitch live on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, on the Pitch Studio stage, before the Grand Winner is announced the next day at VivaTech’s Global Innovation Awards Ceremony on Stage One, earning major visibility throughout the event. 

Make your impact visible. 

VivaTech is where innovation meets business, and where innovation meets impact.  
In 2026, for the second edition of the Tech For Change, our recognition highlights 500 impactful exhibiting startups fostering solutions in three main areas: Environment, Society, and Health.  

From all the Tech For Change recognized startups, the most outstanding ventures enter the Tech For Change Award selection : the Top 30  (10 per category) and the Top 6 finalists (2 per category).  

The 6 finalists will pitch live on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, on the Pitch Studio stage, before the Grand Winner is announced the next day at VivaTech’s Global Innovation Awards Ceremony on Stage One, earning major visibility throughout the event. 

Make your impact visible. 

Apply Now

Apply Now

Selection Criteria
Positive Impact

Startups with impact embedded in their business model, delivering measurable positive outcomes for environment, society or health. 

Tech

The solution must be tech-driven, with technology at the core of the product and business model.

Innovation

Level of relevance, originality, and innovation demonstrated by the tech solution.

Scalability & Viability

Ability to scale while remaining technically, economically and environmentally viable. 

Rewards
  • Top 500 – Tech For Change acknowledge

    • Enhanced visibility online (VivaTech social media, website, app, The Big List) and on-site (label signage on your corner, Wall of Fame…)  

    • Dedicated onboarding with the VivaTech Sustainability Team. 

  • Top 30 

    • Pitch opportunities on VivaTech stages (Discovery Stage, Arenas). 

    • Targeted audiences via curated formats (Tech Trails, Learning Expeditions). 

    • Visibility across channels (VivaTech social media, website, newsletter, Les Echos listing). 

  • Top 6 finalists

    • High visibility during the event (VivaTech News, Les Echos). 

    • Featured in Tech For Change Tech Trail, VivaTech Tech Trails and Impact Tour. 

    • Final pitch on the Pitch Studio Stage in front of a top jury + private networking session. 

    • 1 VIP pass and investor meetings. 

  • Grand Winner

    • Free startup corner for VivaTech 2027. 

    • Stage One pitch during the Global Innovation Awards ceremony. 

    • Year-round integration into the VivaTech network. 

    • Extensive visibility (newsletter, dedicated interviews post-event, Les Echos portrait). 

  • Top 500 – Tech For Change acknowledge

    • Enhanced visibility online (VivaTech social media, website, app, The Big List) and on-site (label signage on your corner, Wall of Fame…)  

    • Dedicated onboarding with the VivaTech Sustainability Team. 

  • Top 30 

    • Pitch opportunities on VivaTech stages (Discovery Stage, Arenas). 

    • Targeted audiences via curated formats (Tech Trails, Learning Expeditions). 

    • Visibility across channels (VivaTech social media, website, newsletter, Les Echos listing). 

  • Top 6 finalists

    • High visibility during the event (VivaTech News, Les Echos). 

    • Featured in Tech For Change Tech Trail, VivaTech Tech Trails and Impact Tour. 

    • Final pitch on the Pitch Studio Stage in front of a top jury + private networking session. 

    • 1 VIP pass and investor meetings. 

  • Grand Winner

    • Free startup corner for VivaTech 2027. 

    • Stage One pitch during the Global Innovation Awards ceremony. 

    • Year-round integration into the VivaTech network. 

    • Extensive visibility (newsletter, dedicated interviews post-event, Les Echos portrait). 

Timeline

79 Days 07 Hours

79 Days 07 Hours

left to apply

left to apply

  • February 23, 2026

    Applications open

  • May 15, 2026

    Applications close

  • May 28, 2026

    Announcement of Top 500 recognized startups, Top 30 and Top 6

  • June 17, 2026

    Top 6 pitches on the Pitch Studio Stage

  • June 18, 2026

    Grand Winner Pitch on the Stage One during the Global Award Ceremony

  • February 23, 2026

    Applications open

  • May 15, 2026

    Applications close

  • May 28, 2026

    Announcement of Top 500 recognized startups, Top 30 and Top 6

  • June 17, 2026

    Top 6 pitches on the Pitch Studio Stage

  • June 18, 2026

    Grand Winner Pitch on the Stage One during the Global Award Ceremony

  • February 23, 2026

    Applications open

  • May 15, 2026

    Applications close

  • May 28, 2026

    Announcement of Top 500 recognized startups, Top 30 and Top 6

  • June 17, 2026

    Top 6 pitches on the Pitch Studio Stage

  • June 18, 2026

    Grand Winner Pitch on the Stage One during the Global Award Ceremony

  • February 23, 2026

    Applications open

  • May 15, 2026

    Applications close

  • May 28, 2026

    Announcement of Top 500 recognized startups, Top 30 and Top 6

  • June 17, 2026

    Top 6 pitches on the Pitch Studio Stage

  • June 18, 2026

    Grand Winner Pitch on the Stage One during the Global Award Ceremony

Apply Now

Apply Now

Download rules

Download rules

2025 Winner
Genesis Soil Health

Co-founded by Adrienne de Malleray

Genesis is a startup focused on sustainable solutions for farmers and ecosystems. Their AI-powered platform helps farmers monitor and restore soil health, turning degraded land into fertile ecosystems. By analyzing biological and chemical indicators in real-time, Genesis delivers actionable insights that boost productivity and promote regenerative farming 

2025 Finalists

These are the impact innovators who made it to the finals last year, and pitched live at VivaTech in front of an expert jury. Be one of them this year! 

Find more details on our dedicated article  

Genesis

Genesis is a startup focused on sustainable solutions for farmers and ecosystems.

France

.lumen

Provides solutions visually impaired through groundbreaking assistive technology.

Romania

Alveolix

Redefines respiratory research with its groundbreaking "lung-on-chip" technology.

Switzerland

Reveal AI

Reveals hidden patterns and trends to turn complex data into actionable insights.

Canada

Beekee

Democratizes education with offline, plug-and-play learning through its Beekee Box.

Swistzerland

FAQ

Who can apply for the Tech for Change Recognition & Award?

What is the difference between a Startup Challenge and an Award?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

Who can apply for the Tech for Change Recognition & Award?

How do I add images?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

Who can apply for the Tech for Change Recognition & Award?

What is the difference between a Startup Challenge and an Award?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

FAQ

Who can apply for the Tech for Change Recognition & Award?

What is the difference between a Startup Challenge and an Award?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

Who can apply for the Tech for Change Recognition & Award?

What is the difference between a Startup Challenge and an Award?

Do I need to buy a pass to apply for a Startup Challenge / an Award?

Can I apply for more than one Startup Challenge / Award?

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