The 2026 edition of VivaTech comes at a pivotal moment for the European digital ecosystem.

Software has never been more central to innovation. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, connected devices, embedded systems, Industry 4.0 and smart mobility all rely on thousands of interconnected software components, many of them developed by third parties and integrated at increasing speed.

This acceleration is creating tremendous opportunities.

It is also creating a significant challenge: managing risk.

Over the past few years, cyberattacks have shown that organisations are no longer targeted solely through their own systems. Increasingly, attackers are exploiting suppliers, software dependencies and trusted components embedded deep within digital supply chains. Recent supply chain attacks have demonstrated how a single compromise can propagate across entire ecosystems and affect thousands of organisations simultaneously. The growing complexity of modern software environments is making visibility and control more difficult than ever.

At the same time, European regulations continue to raise the bar. The Cyber Resilience Act, NIS2 and other regulatory frameworks are introducing new expectations around product security, vulnerability management and software supply chain governance. Cybersecurity is no longer viewed as a purely technical matter. It is becoming a business, compliance and resilience requirement.

This evolution raises important questions.

How can organisations maintain visibility over increasingly complex software systems?

How can they manage risks introduced by third-party components and suppliers?

How can they keep pace with the constant flow of newly disclosed vulnerabilities?

How can innovation remain agile while maintaining a strong security posture?

These are some of the questions that will undoubtedly shape discussions throughout VivaTech 2026.

This year’s event is expected to place a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital trust, sovereignty, cybersecurity and resilient digital infrastructure, reflecting the priorities currently driving technological transformation across Europe.

As a premium partner of the event, Orange is highlighting its vision of a trusted digital future, bringing together startups, industrial players and technology leaders to explore the next generation of secure and innovative digital services. More than sixty startups from the Orange innovation ecosystem will be showcased throughout the event.

In a world increasingly dependent on software, one idea is becoming clear:

Trust alone is no longer enough.

Organisations must be able to understand, assess and verify the technologies on which they rely.

The next decade of innovation will not be defined solely by performance or new capabilities. It will also be defined by trust, resilience and the ability to build secure digital foundations for the future.