TechCrunch has announced a strategic partnership with VivaTech, Europe’s largest startup and technology event, to jointly select standout startups for the prestigious “VivaTech Innovation of the Year” award at VivaTech 2025. This collaboration aims to spotlight startups showcasing extraordinary creativity, unparalleled technological ingenuity, and transformative industry potential.
The VivaTech Innovation of the Year Award celebrates startups featured at VivaTech 2025 whose products and services embody groundbreaking innovation, sophisticated technology, and significant potential to reshape their respective sectors.
TechCrunch will play an integral role in the selection process, starting with the curation of a shortlist comprising 30 top contenders. From there, TechCrunch will designate a jury member to help narrow down the field to five finalists who will present their pitches on the VivaTech stage. Additionally, members of the TechCrunch team will join the complete jury panel on-stage for the final selection on June 11, and the organization will serve as the official host for the global VivaTech Awards Ceremony scheduled for June 12. As hosts, TechCrunch will steer the event professionally through introductions, award announcements, and the ceremonial closing remarks.
All five finalists will enjoy substantial competitive advantages, including the opportunity to present on the main VivaTech stage on June 11, exclusive introductions to prominent venture capitalists, enhanced networking opportunities with jury members and industry peers, significant promotional visibility through VivaTech’s extensive marketing channels, and two complimentary four-day passes to the full VivaTech 2025 event.
The startup crowned as “Innovation of the Year” will earn a coveted spot in TechCrunch’s Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200, positioning them to compete at the high-profile Disrupt conference set for October 2025 in San Francisco.
Eligibility criteria for candidacy include being an exhibiting startup at VivaTech 2025, having been founded no earlier than 2020, and employing fewer than 50 personnel. Key upcoming milestone dates are as follows: the top-five finalists will be selected by June 4, followed by the pitching session at VivaTech on June 11, and culminating with the VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony on June 12.
VivaTech is renowned for fostering technological advancement through meaningful engagement and collaboration among startups, leading tech companies, industry visionaries, and top investors. Its ninth edition will take place in Paris from June 11 to 14, 2025, bringing together thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators addressing the world’s most pressing technological challenges through panel discussions, product demonstrations, and exclusive launches.
