As a VivaTech partner alongside the French Red Cross and its startup incubator 21, Red Social Innovation attended the event on June 18th. This was an opportunity to connect with innovators and explore high-potential solutions in the fields of crisis management, humanitarian action, and responsible technology. The insights and initiatives identified during the event will help shape RSI’s future events, reports, and knowledge-sharing activities.
VivaTech 2026 Edition in key numbers
118,000
Attendees
14,000
Start-ups
4000
Partners
Why would a National society attend Vivatech?
This was a question many visitors asked the French Red Cross when they stopped by our stand at VivaTech. While the presence of tech startups, corporations and public institutions was expected, a Red Cross National society was, for many, a more surprising participant.
Yet the French Red Cross saw VivaTech as a unique opportunity to share its vision and strategy for the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Across the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, many National Societies are currently exploring how AI can support both volunteers and the people they serve. Attending VivaTech was therefore an opportunity not only to showcase ongoing initiatives, but also to learn from a community of innovators and specialists shaping the future of these technologies.
The experience proved valuable. Startups approached the French Red Cross to explore potential partnerships, companies sought insights on the governance and regulation of AI in the workplace, and visitors were eager to discuss the impact of emerging technologies on vulnerable populations.
The event also enabled the French Red Cross to engage with audiences it does not often reach and to strengthen connections with other NGOs present at the conference. Far from being out of place, National societies have an important role to play in spaces such as VivaTech. Their presence creates opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and mutual learning, benefiting both innovators and humanitarian actors alike.
By bringing its perspective on ethical and human-centred AI, the French Red Cross helped ensure that questions of inclusion, vulnerability and social impact remained part of the conversation, topics that are not always at the forefront of technology events.
What did the Red Social Innovation team think of the event?
The RSI team had the opportunity to discover inspiring innovations from across the globe. Driven by advances in AI and technology, innovators are tackling increasingly complex and ambitious challenges—from sustainable agriculture and soil health to toxic metal pollution, homelessness, critical infrastructure resilience and data governance. The breadth of ideas on display was a powerful reminder of the creativity and determination being mobilized to address some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Throughout the event, we met entrepreneurs and innovators from Italy, Japan, Côte d’Ivoire, Canada and many other countries. These exchanges reinforced our conviction that innovation is thriving today more than ever. It was was also an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals from companies, NGOs and public institutions who share a commitment to creating positive social impact through innovation. We look forward to building on these conversations and turning new connections into lasting collaborations and meaningful projects.
– Mila Domanine, RSI Team
Want to know more ?
