VivaTech, Europe’s largest event dedicated to startups and technology, unveils the five finalists for its 2026 Female Founder Award, an initiative supporting female entrepreneurship, in partnership with Forvis Mazars (Sponsor and Knowledge Partner), IRIS (Knowledge Partner), JCDecaux (Sponsor), C’est Qui La Boss? (Media Partner), and SISTA (Ambassador). This marks the eighth consecutive year of the initiative designed to support women entrepreneurs and increase the visibility of women-led startups across the global tech ecosystem.
Against a funding landscape in which startups founded by women still receive only 12% of total venture capital funding, the Female Founder Award has become a standout part of the VivaTech program, offering promising companies’ greater visibility and stronger access to funding opportunities and key industry connections. This year, 444 startups from 85 countries applied.
The five finalists selected for this year’s edition are Ark Climate (Germany), Robeauté (France), Endolith (USA), Revolty (France), and ExoMatter (Germany). Together, they reflect the international scope of the award and the breadth of innovation emerging from women led startups across sectors including climate, mobility, deep tech, energy, and sustainable industry.
This year’s shortlist includes a U.S. presence through Endolith Mining, the American startup founded by Liz Dennett, selected among the final five.
Endolith is at the forefront of the mining industry revolution through sustainable and innovative mining solutions. Leveraging the power of microbes, synthetic biology, and cloud computing, Endolith aims to transform the way copper is extracted, reducing environmental impact and setting new standards for the sector.
About the founder: Liz Dennett, Founder and CEO, grew up in Alaska surrounded by wild landscapes and was inspired by her father’s career as a geologist. She holds a PhD in geomicrobiology and astrobiology. At NASA, she studied microbes capable of oxidizing sulfur and iron as part of research into life on Mars.
The 2026 edition also highlights the international reach of the Female Founder Award. In total, 72.9% of applicants were international startups, and 75% are currently raising funds.
The finalists will pitch at VivaTech 2026 in Paris on June 18, ahead of the award ceremony on June 19. All five finalists will receive introductions to venture capitalists, visibility on the VivaTech website, and two four-day passes to VivaTech 2026.
The winner will also receive fundraising coaching from IRIS, a five-month business development mentoring program with Forvis Mazars Xfactory, and a free Startup Corner at VivaTech 2027.
About VivaTech
VivaTech accelerates innovation by connecting startups, tech leaders, major companies, and investors to address our world’s biggest challenges.
Each year, over four days in Paris, VivaTech brings together Europe’s largest technology and startup event, exploring the most disruptive topics in tech through world premiere demos, launches and conferences within a collaborative ecosystem. This is where business meets innovation.
Apply now and join us for the 10th edition of VivaTech, taking place from 17–20 June 2026 in Paris.
For more information, visit VivaTech’s website at https://vivatechnology.com/media and follow @VivaTech.