Terms and conditions  

Innovation of the Year 2025 

 

1. ORGANIZER AND PURPOSE

Organized as part of the 2025 edition of the VivaTech Event (hereinafter the "Event"), this award celebrates and spotlights the trailblazing startups that are reshaping the future. It is open to all exhibiting startups at VivaTech 2025 and recognizes a startup that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, technological ingenuity, and the potential to transform industries. 

The Innovation of the Year (hereinafter the "Award") is organized by MSL France, a simplified joint-stock company with capital of €182,400, headquartered at 30-34 rue du Chemin Vert, 75011 Paris, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 347 895 096 R.C.S. Paris, acting as manager of the partnership between MSL France and Les Echos Solutions, a company headquartered at 10 boulevard de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 408 165 157 (hereinafter "Viva Technology"). 

These regulations (hereinafter the "Regulations") define the terms and rules for participating in the Challenge. 

Participation in the Challenge implies full and unconditional acceptance of these Regulations. If you do not agree with the terms, you should not register or participate in the Challenge. 

 

2. CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE AWARD

The Challenge is exclusively open to startups exhibiting at the VivaTech Event, held 11-14 June 2025, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, and that places innovation at the core of their business model. 

An exhibiting startup at VivaTech has either purchased an exhibition space for the Event or has been invited to exhibit through a corner on a partner’s stand at the Event. 

An exhibiting startup eligible to the “Innovation of the Year” Award is defined as any independent company with fewer than 50 employees, funded during or after 2020, that has either purchased an exhibition space for the Event or has been invited to exhibit through a corner on a partner’s stand at the Event.   

Only one entry per participating startup (hereinafter the "Startup") will be accepted. Submissions must be written in English. 

The legal representative or an authorized representative of the Startup may register the company for the Challenge by completing the following steps: 

• Purchase an exhibitor package for the Event; 

• Create an account or log into an existing account on the Viva Technology platform, available through the website "2025 Edition | Viva Technology," and click on the "Challenge Workspace" tab; 

• Register for the Challenge by completing all required fields; 

• Accept these Regulations. 

All mandatory fields, marked with an asterisk, must be completed as they are essential for evaluating the Startup’s application by the jury based on the selection criteria outlined below. Applicants who do not wish to provide the required personal data necessary for managing the Challenge and selecting startups will not be able to participate. 

Registration and participation in the Challenge require being an exhibiting startup at the Event. The cost of the internet connection required for registration, as well as any necessary devices (computer, tablet, etc.), is the responsibility of the applicants. 

 

3. REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE CHALLENGE

The Startup must: 

• Login to the "Challenge Workspace" tab on www.vivatechnology.com between 24 March 2025, at 9:30 AM CET and 11 May 2025, at 11:55 PM CET; 

• Complete the application form with the required information; 

• Upload the necessary documents; 

• Upload any other relevant documents that support the application, following the accepted formats on the platform. 

 

Key Dates of the Challenge: 

• 24 March 2025, at 9:30 AM CET: Opening of applications 

• 11 May 2025, at 11:55 PM CET: Application deadline 

• 28 May 2025: Selection of the five finalists 

• 11 June 2025: Pitch session of the five finalists on the Pitch Studio stage during the Event 

• 12 June 2025: Global Awards Ceremony on Stage One during the Event 

A complete registration must be submitted on the Viva Technology platform before 11 May 2025, at 11:55 PM CET. 

Candidates who fail to provide complete and accurate identity and contact details or provide false information will be disqualified. The information provided in the application is the responsibility of the candidate, and any intentional or unintentional errors, anomalies, or inconsistencies may result in disqualification. 

Viva Technology reserves the right to verify the Startup’s application. 

Deleting a user account on the Viva Technology platform will be considered as withdrawal from the Challenge. In this case, even if the candidate can prove that the deletion was not intentional, they will not be reinstated in the Challenge or receive any compensation from Viva Technology. 

 

4. CHALLENGE PROCESS

4.1 Challenge Stages 

The Challenge consists of several selection phases: 

1. Selection of the top 5 (12 – 28 May 2025) 

1. A jury - composed of several investment funds, entrepreneurs and potentially sponsors - reviews the Top 30 and nominates 5 finalists to pitch at VT  

1. Selection of the winner during VivaTech 2025 

1. The five finalists will pitch onstage on June 11 in front of a jury (3’ pitch followed by 3’ Q&A with the jury onstage) at Viva Technology, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. 

1. The winner will be designated on June 12 during the VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony 

4.2 Selection Criteria 

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria, ranked in descending order of importance: 

1. The innovative and creative nature of the Startup 

1. The Startup’s capacity of disruption 

1. The scalability of the Startup’s business model 

The five highest-scoring Startups will qualify for the final. 

 

5. REWARDS

For the finalists: 

For the five finalists: 

• Industry validation and high visibility across VivaTech marketing tools and program 

• Introduction to VCs 

• Meeting with jury members 

• Two 4-day passes to attend the 2025 edition of VivaTech (valued at 600€ HT each). 

For the grand winner: 

• A Startup Corner at VivaTech 2026 – the 10th edition of the event (valued at 3,500€ HT). 

• Additional opportunities TBC (media coverage, interview...) 

Not Included and at the Expense of Each Startup: 

• Participation of the Startup in the 2025 edition of the Event as an exhibiting startup 

• Transport and accommodation costs for the Startup team related to its participation in the Challenge, the Event, and any transport and accommodation costs related to the rewards 

• Insurance 

• More generally, any expenses incurred by the Startup related to its participation in the Challenge 

The rewards will be presented at the awards ceremony on June 12th, 2025. 

The presence of the five finalist Startups is mandatory during the final on June 11th and at the awards ceremony on June 12th. In case of absence, a finalist Startup will not be able to claim its reward. Additionally, Viva Technology reserves the right to replace the rewards with prizes of similar or higher value if circumstances require, without granting any right to compensation or reimbursement. 

 

6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

6.1 Intellectual Property of Viva Technology 

This Regulation does not grant the Startup any ownership rights over the corporate names, logos, designs, trademarks, advertising materials, or any other intellectual property rights owned by Viva Technology, including the “Innovation of the Year” name. 

The Startup acknowledges that it is strictly prohibited from using, in any country, any of Viva Technology’s intellectual property rights without prior written agreement, including its corporate name, trademarks, logos, designs, visual codes and advertising materials. Any authorized use must be in the form and conditions explicitly approved in writing by Viva Technology and must not be in any way detrimental to its reputation. 

The Startup acknowledges that “Innovation of the Year” is a marketing name of Viva Technology and does not correspond to any official label.  

If the startup wants to communicate on that Award, the Startup agrees to use this name at all times alongside “Viva Technology” mentioned. 

6.2 Intellectual Property Over Startup Content 

The Startup retains ownership of the intellectual property rights associated with its application, including the pitch deck or any other material provided as part of the Challenge (hereinafter, the "Content"). 

The Startup grants Viva Technology the right to use its Content from the moment it registers for the Challenge and for one (1) year after the end of the Event. This usage right includes the right to reproduce, represent, or have the Content reproduced or represented across all communication materials, including printed formats and all media (video, audio, digital, etc.), to facilitate finalist selection, award presentation, and media coverage of the Challenge and/or the Event worldwide. 

 

7. LIABILITY

Viva Technology cannot be held responsible for: 

• Any delays or lost applications due to system errors, computer failures, network issues, or any other transmission malfunctions 

• Any case where application data does not reach Viva Technology, regardless of the reason 

• Any situation in which the Challenge must be shortened, modified, postponed, or canceled due to reasons beyond its control 

Viva Technology reserves the right to modify, shorten, or cancel the Challenge if necessary. In such cases, participants will be informed as soon as possible. No compensation or reimbursement for incurred expenses will be provided. 

Any false statements or fraudulent actions will lead to immediate disqualification of the Startup. Proven fraud or cheating attempts may be sanctioned without prior notice. 

 

8. IMAGE RIGHTS

The representative of the Startup acknowledges and agrees that their image may be captured through photographs and/or videos taken during the awards ceremony. 

The Startup grants Viva Technology the right to reproduce and display these images on any printed, video, audio, or digital media for documentary or promotional purposes related to the Challenge or Event, for any current or future editions. These images may be used worldwide for a period of three (3) years. 

 

9. PERSONAL DATA COLLECTION

9.1 Principle 

Participation in the Challenge requires the submission of personal data, including the identity of the Startup representative (names, addresses, phone numbers, CVs, and any mandatory information in the application form). 

Personal data is processed in accordance with the French Data Protection Act (6 January 1978) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

For more details, refer to the Viva Technology privacy policy available at: https://vivatechnology.com/ 

Any individual whose personal data is processed retains the right to: 

• Object to the collection of their data (which prevents participation in the Challenge) 

• Access, consult, or rectify their personal data via their Viva Technology account 

• Request data portability 

• Request deletion of their data by contacting privacy@vivatechnology.com 

If a participant refuses to provide mandatory personal data or requests its deletion, their application may be canceled. 

Data from non-selected Startups will be deleted two years after the 2025 Event. Data from selected Startups will be retained for three (3) years from registration. 

9.2 Purposes and Recipients 

Personal data is processed by Viva Technology and the jury members for: 

• Verifying Startup eligibility and compliance with the Challenge Regulation 

• Communicating with the Startup regarding the Challenge 

• Organizing the Challenge 

• Selecting Startups 

• Awarding prizes 

 

10. APPLICABLE LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The Challenge Regulation is subject to French law. 

In case of a dispute, the Startup must first contact Viva Technology via: startups@vivatechnology.com 

  Address: Viva Technology – 30-34 rue du Chemin Vert – 75011 Paris, FRANCE 

If no resolution is reached within two months, the Startup may submit the dispute to a mediator, who will work independently to find an amicable solution. 

For mediation, Startups may use the SOCIETE MEDIATION PROFESSIONNELLE service, available at: https://www.mediateur-consommation-smp.fr/ 

Médiation Service - 24, rue Albert de Mun - 33000 Bordeaux, FRANCE 

Mediation is optional; Startups are free to accept or reject both the mediation process and any proposed solution. 

If no amicable agreement is reached, all disputes will fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Paris, unless otherwise required by law.