VIVA Technology: Tech's Biggest Names Grace the Stage at its 7th Edition!

Europe's largest startup and tech event, Viva Technology, concluded its highly anticipated 7th edition this month, captivating attendees over three exhilarating days from June 14th to June 17th.

This gathering of trailblazers serves as a catalyst for innovation, bringing together startups, industry leaders, corporations, and investors to tackle the world's most pressing challenges head-on and forge a lasting impact.

Distinguished figures graced the event with their presence, including Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, Elon Musk, visionary entrepreneur and founder of companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, as well as Marc Benioff, Chair, CEO, and Co-Founder of Salesforce, Dan Schulman, President, and CEO of PayPal, and Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME, among numerous other headline speakers. Their insights and experiences were eagerly absorbed by the thousands in attendance.

The event commenced with a compelling address from Korean Minister for SMEs Lee Young, who, having been a startup founder herself, painted a vivid picture of her country's burgeoning startup ecosystem, highlighting its impressive growth in terms of investments and policies to attract investors. "The Korean startup ecosystem represented a total amount of $10 billion in 2022, and we now have 14 unicorns," Minister Young proudly declared, showcasing Korea's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurial ventures.

The focus then shifted to France, with President Emmanuel Macron shedding light on the country's AI landscape. Acknowledging that France has some catching up to do in the AI development race, PresidentMacron pledged an additional investment of €500 million to accelerate the country's progress in this field. The announcement underscores France's determination to emerge as a leading force in artificial intelligence.

The much-anticipated climax of Viva Technology unfolded on the final day, with Elon Musk taking the stage at the Dôme de Paris. A throng of 6,000 attendees eagerly awaited to hear the tech legend speak.

Musk regaled the captivated audience with tales of his journey, from his early successes at PayPal to his ventures in founding and developing Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and even his recent acquisition of Twitter. During his address, Musk delved into the core missions that drive his companies, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and the quest for knowledge.

He stated; “It all started when I had a sort of existential crisis at 12-years-old. I really wondered about the meaning of life. I understood from books that the real difficulty is understanding what questions to ask. It's about curiosity. So, what can we do to find out more about the nature of the universe and the meaning of life? We have to expand the scope and scale of consciousness, we have to explore the stars to know what questions to ask about the universe. From that, we have to make sure that Earth is good so we have to have sustainable energy and we have to build technology to travel beyond Earth. So it’s from those core philosophies that these companies exist.”

Viva Technology was an exceptionally well-orchestrated event, drawing an impressive footfall of 150,000 attendees hailing from over 170 countries. In addition, it garnered 405,000 online visitors and reached over 900 million individuals through social networks. The event showcased a staggering 11,400 startups and 2,800 exhibitors, amplifying its reputation as the foremost platform for innovation and collaboration.

The platform continues to serve as a powerful engine driving technological advancement, inspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to unite, exchange ideas, and shape the future of innovation. As each edition unfolds, the event solidifies its status as a vital cornerstone within the global tech community, empowering visionaries to confront humanity's greatest challenges and create a better tomorrow.

In tech we trust, indeed.

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Photos courtesy of: VIVA Technology