Here’s how African startups can attend, pitch and exhibit at VivaTech 2018

Dubbed as “the world’s rendezvous for startups and leaders”, Viva Technology (VivaTech) is one of Europe’s biggest tech conferences. Here’s how African startups can attend and pitch at the event.

The third edition of the tech conference will run between 24 and 26 May in Porte de Versailles, Paris. The three-day event will see entrepreneurs, executives, investors, students and academics meet to collaborate on the future.

Startups looking to attend VivaTech 2018 have until 28 February to enter 22 innovation challenges open to international startups

Organisers expect 68 000 attendees, 6000 startups and 1400 investors from 103 countries will attend the summit which will have over 250 sessions.

Confirmed speakers to the summit include SAP CEO Bill McDermott, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and Orange CEO Stephane Richard.

Apply for VivaTech challenges

VivaTech currently has 22 open challenges — which international startups are eligible for — sponsored by the conference’s partners that include Airbus, Orange, Verizon, and SAP.

The challenges will be used to select startups that will participate in the respective sponsor’s labs during the summit.

Startups looking to attend and pitch at VivaTech 2018 have just under six days to apply for these challenges, with applications closing on 28 February.

Read more: Sanofi In Africa Challenges: Global pharma calls for African health solutions

Selected startups will be provided with free exhibition booths. In addition, the startups will get an opportunity to pitch to investors at the conference.

The challenge winners also stand to get between €15 000 to €100 000, finance for proof of concepts, mentoring as well as access to incubation and acceleration programmes.

AfricaTech

VivaTech will also have a dedicated track for African innovation.

The track, titled AficaTech, will see up to 50 African startups meet with French incubators and accelerators.

Selected startups are expected to pitch their solutions during the track.

Featured image: Viva Technology via Facebook