La Région Sud reaffirms its ambitions at VivaTech 2026
At VivaTech, La Région Sud deployed its AI strategy and accompanied 40 start-ups to assert its technological leadership.
Asserting technological leadership
La Région made its mark on the 2026 edition of Viva Technology, Europe's largest innovation trade show (June 17 to 20). Bernard Kleynhoff, President of the Commission développement économique et digital of the Région and President of the risingSUD agency, inaugurated the regional stand there, dedicated to artificial intelligence.
This presence aims to position the territory as a leader in a "frugal, sovereign, and useful" AI, at the service of businesses and citizens. Accompanied by several metropolitan elected officials, he reaffirmed the Région's determination to transform the potential of AI into a concrete lever for competitiveness.
“The artificial intelligence revolution is underway, and La Région Sud has chosen to be an active player in it. Our goal is to make AI accessible to everyone, and to make it a concrete lever of competitiveness for our businesses. This ambition is supported by the "Plan Sud IA", backed by 70 million euros over five years (2024-2028). This plan has already led to a 66% growth in the number of AI startups in one year, bringing their total to 209 in the territory,” declared Bernard Kleynhoff.
REGIONAL SHOWCASE
In a demonstration of strength for its ecosystem, the Région accompanied a delegation of 40 promising start-ups. Coming from sectors such as Climate Tech, Deeptech, health, or Smart City, these gems enjoy exceptional visibility on the international stage.
This initiative is carried out in partnership with the Aix-Marseille-Provence, Nice Côte d’Azur, Toulon Provence Méditerranée metropolises, the Communauté d’Agglomération Sophia Antipolis, and Crédit Agricole Alpes Provence.
The inauguration provided the opportunity to reward the winners of the "Startup Challenge Région Sud", launched on the theme “How to put AI at the service of the growth of VSEs and SMEs?”. The three winners, Ristretto AI, DataGeo.AI, and Duke, will benefit from tailor-made support by the risingSUD agency.
Structuring and strengthening the ecosystem
To structure and strengthen its ecosystem, the Région formalized a partnership with the association Hub France IA, chaired by Rim Tehraoui. This collaboration aims to increase the visibility of regional AI players, facilitate their integration into national and European dynamics, and promote responsible artificial intelligence.
This approach is part of the relaunch of the "Communauté Sud IA", which federates local players (researchers, companies, institutions) to coordinate initiatives and share best practices.
The success of the Sud ecosystem relies on collective mobilization. Sophia Antipolis, Europe's leading science park, embodies this dynamic, as highlighted by its president.
Photo Région Sud.