HEC Paris at VivaTech 2026

VivaTech 2026 will serve as a major platform for HEC Paris to unveil a series of new strategic collaborations and initiatives designed to strengthen its impact across innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and industry transformation.

More details on the partnerships and announcements will be progressively revealed in the weeks leading up to VivaTech.

Register to stay informed and be among the first to discover the new collaborations, initiatives, and strategic projects that will be announced during the event.”

VivaTech x HEC Paris: Strategic Announcements & Partnership Signings: 

Register here 

A European conversation on dual-use AI, strategic capabilities, and responsibility. Here is detailed information about the event:

Defense in the Age of Physical AI

Dual-use systems, strategic capability, and Europe’s sovereignty

Date: June 17th, 12:30 to 2:00 PM @ VivaTech 2026

An Event by HEC Paris, Creative Destruction Lab (CDL-Paris) & Hi! Paris 

Context 

Artificial intelligence is evolving at unprecedented speed, faster than any previous technology wave. In just a few years, the conversation has moved from predictive AI to generative AI, and then to agentic AI. The next frontier is now becoming increasingly visible: Physical AI.

Physical AI refers to AI systems that do not only process information, but also interact with the real world through perception, decision-making, autonomy, and action. It is the convergence of advanced models, robotics, autonomous systems, edge computing, simulation, and real-time inference. It brings AI out of the interface and into the environment. 

One of the earliest and most consequential domains where this shift is already becoming tangible is defense.

From autonomous systems and robotics to intelligence support, navigation, surveillance, counter-drone systems, and other dual-use applications, AI is accelerating a new generation of capabilities. What was once discussed as future potential is increasingly becoming operational reality. This creates new opportunities, new tensions, and new strategic questions for founders, investors, researchers, public institutions, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Event format

This event will convene a high-level group of leaders at the intersection of physical AI, defense, entrepreneurship, policy, investment, and European sovereignty.

HEC Paris, CDL, and Hi! PARIS will provide the academic, entrepreneurial, and technological framing for the discussion. Inge Kerkloh-Devif, Executive Director of the HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, will bring the perspective of one of Europe’s leading institutions for venture creation and founder support. Vincent Rapp, Executive Director of Hi! PARIS will deliver “The State of Play”, offering a sharp view of the breakthroughs, and deployment challenges defining Physical AI today.

At the heart of the event is a high-level roundtable moderated by Anousheh Ansari, entrepreneur, CEO of XPRIZE, and the first self-funded woman to fly to the International Space Station. The panel will bring together a founder, a policymaker, an investor, and a representative of the EU collaboration ecosystem to examine how Europe can turn Physical AI into a strategic advantage in the defense sector. The session will close with an open Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.

Register for the workshop

VivaTech 2026 will serve as a major platform for HEC Paris to unveil a series of new strategic collaborations and initiatives designed to strengthen its impact across innovation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and industry transformation.

More details on the partnerships and announcements will be progressively revealed in the weeks leading up to VivaTech.

Register to stay informed and be among the first to discover the new collaborations, initiatives, and strategic projects that will be announced during the event.”

VivaTech x HEC Paris: Strategic Announcements & Partnership Signings:

Register here

Two of HEC Paris’ flagship entrepreneurship programs come together for a dynamic pitch competition spotlighting the next generation of founders shaping the future of innovation.

Startups from the X-HEC Entrepreneurs program and the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad will go head-to-head before a distinguished jury for a final competition.

This session showcases the diversity of entrepreneurial pathways emerging from the HEC ecosystem. Meet the startups taking the stage: 

♻️ Triloge (Waste Management)

A trusted partner for clearing out homes with peace of mind, offering efficient and fairly priced waste management solutions.

Founders: Paul Seignarbieux, Vivien Blervacque
 

🎮 Artenas (Media & Entertainment)

A 100% AI-native app studio and publisher, building next-generation digital experiences powered by artificial intelligence.

Founders: Louis Leibovici, Diane Vitry Meyer
 

🔐 Fleuret AI (Cybersecurity)

An all-in-one offensive security platform designed to operate at scale, strengthening cybersecurity through advanced AI capabilities.

Founders: Yanis Grigy, Macky Dabo, Augustin Ponsin
 

⚖️ Regorus (Legal Services)

Automates and secures succession case management, enabling notaries to focus on what matters most: their clients.

Founders: Sixtine Leraillez, Louan Bélicaut

Jury Members:

• Inge Kerkloh-Devif, Senior Executive Director at HEC Paris Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute

• Baptiste Smagghe, Directeur AI Strategy & Transformation chez Capgemini Invent

• Samir Matki, Partner at daphni & Time4

VivaTech Pitch Contest | X-HEC Entrepreneurs & Startup Launchpad:

Register here

The Sustainability Executive Summit is the annual highlight of the Viva+ community, bringing together C-level executives committed to sustainability issues throughout the year for panels and networking sessions. This day follows on from VivaTech's other executive programs, uniting decision-makers from large corporations, startups, and committed organizations to develop concrete solutions around the theme: ‘At the Turning Point: How can tech shape our sustainable future?’

François Gemenne, HEC Professor, will participate in one of the scheduled panels on the topic:

Predict the Unpredictable: How Tech Can Anticipate Risk?

With:

• Alexandra Palt (WWF France)
• François Gemenne (IPCC Expert – TBC)
• ENGIE Board Member (TBC)
• Tech leader (TBC)

Event subject to invitation by the VivaTech team.

Deep Tech for Impact: INPI & WIPO × HEC Challenge+ Pitch Session

At the intersection of science, innovation, and intellectual property, this pitch session showcases startups from the HEC Challenge+ program, developed in partnership with INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property), WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), and international IP ecosystems.

Each venture highlights the critical role of intellectual property as a strategic asset—not only to protect innovation, but to enable scaling, investment, and real-world impact.

Meet the startups taking the stage:

🧬 FoxBio (Biotechnology)

A next-generation biotech company redefining the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases through a new therapeutic paradigm.

CEO: Sophie Blondel
 

🌍 HENDDU (AI & Environment)

Develops AI-powered digital solutions to monitor and improve air quality, addressing critical environmental and public health challenges.

Founder & CEO: Soulemane Halif Ngagine, PhD
 

🧪 Beams (MedTech / Oncology)

Develops intraoperative detection technologies using medical radiation to identify tumor tissue in real time, improving surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Representative: Virginie Simon
 

♿ WheelMove (Assistive Tech / Mobility)

A patented electric assistance solution for wheelchairs, enabling users to navigate difficult terrain and access previously unreachable environments.

Co-Founder: Amaury Dupas
 

👩‍⚕️ Kaptory (MedTech )

Kaptory is a MedTech company developing technologies based on the body’s intrinsic capabilities, designed to provide just the right level of support needed to aid tissue regeneration.

Co-Founder : Lise Michel

VivaTech Pitch Contest | INPI & WIPO × HEC Challenge+: 

Register here

The Female Founder Award celebrates women leading innovative startups that are driving the disruptive technologies shaping the future. This Challenge was created 8 years ago to empower women entrepreneurs by facilitating networking opportunities, raising brand awareness, and providing access to funding.

A special mention for Mathilde Janicot, HEC Alumni, shortlisted among the Top 5 finalists. She will pitch her startup Revolty live at VivaTech in June. The winner will be announced at the VivaTech Global Awards Ceremony. Fingers crossed, Mathilde! 🤞

Find out more about the Female Founder Award.

Gachoucha Kretz, HEC Paris professor, will lead a tour with students from the Master in Marketing program across the booths of HEC Paris partners during VivaTech. Students will have the opportunity to receive exclusive presentations from representatives at each booth visited, and to explore how the innovations showcased during the event are transforming the worlds of marketing, strategy, and communication.

Powered by the HEC Paris Incubation & Acceleration Center, this international pitch session brings together innovative startups from leading global entrepreneurship ecosystems across Asia.

Featuring ventures from international programs including KOSME (South Korea), JETRO (Japan), and IndiaAI (India), the session highlights the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in shaping the future of innovation.

Selected startups will be announced soon.

VivaTech Pitch Contest | HEC Global Pitch Showcase: International Startups Take the Stage: 

Register here