AI Leads as VivaTech Unveils Top 100 Startups
Viva Technology, Europe’s leading innovation and startup event, has revealed the inaugural edition of its “Top 100 Rising European Startups for 2025,” its curated list spotlighting the continent’s most promising young companies. The announcement highlights the rapid evolution of Europe’s tech landscape, where artificial intelligence, developer tools, and financial technology are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace.
The ranking, assembled in collaboration with five major global investment funds (Accel, Eurazeo, HV Capital, Northzone, and Partech) recognises startups that have demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation, and the potential to transform their respective sectors. To qualify, companies needed to be headquartered in Europe, achieve at least €5 million in recurring revenue in 2024, and sustain a minimum of 40% annual growth over the last three years.
Germany, France, and the UK Lead the Way
The geographic breakdown of the Top 100 reveals a highly competitive and diversified European startup ecosystem. Germany emerges as the clear leader, with 36 companies featured, followed by France with 22 and the United Kingdom with 17. These three countries collectively make up over 70% of the list, affirming their central role in driving Europe’s tech ambitions.
“The Top 100 Rising European Startups reflects the degree of maturity reached by the European tech ecosystem,” said François Bitouzet, Managing Director of Viva Technology. “Artificial intelligence, now at the heart of all industries – cybersecurity, defence, logistics and supply chain – demonstrates Europe’s ability to innovate on technological and strategic issues, with a long-term vision.”
AI at the Forefront of Innovation
Artificial intelligence has taken center stage in this year’s ranking, with 15 of the 100 startups operating in this space. These range from AI agents such as Aily Labs, Cognigy, and Parloa, to foundational model developers like Mistral, ElevenLabs, and Synthesia. Also represented are middleware and tooling providers such as Lovable Labs and Smartness, underscoring AI’s broad applications and growing infrastructure demands.
This new wave of European AI startups is characterized by a more sovereign, applied, and accessible approach—prioritizing not just innovation but also strategic independence in a sector increasingly seen as critical to national and economic security.
Key Sectors Driving Growth
Beyond AI, the Top 100 list reveals six major trends shaping Europe’s tech scene in 2025:
1. FinTech Transformation:
FinTech continues to be a stronghold for innovation, driven by new models such as Banking-as-a-Service. Companies like Flatpay (Denmark), Capi Money (UK), and Payflow (Spain) are modernising financial infrastructure and making services more accessible. France’s Pennylane stands out for its financial management software, which is streamlining operations for small and medium-sized businesses.
2. Logistics and Supply Chain:
Startups in this category are leveraging AI to anticipate risks and optimize procurement. Austria’s Prewave uses AI for supply chain risk management, while Germany’s Mercanis and Packmatic are revolutionizing supplier and purchasing processes.
3. Cybersecurity and DefenseTech:
As Europe takes digital sovereignty more seriously, startups such as Filigran (France) and Helsing (Germany) are developing sophisticated tools for cyber resilience and defense. These companies are seen as critical players in fortifying Europe’s digital infrastructure against global threats.
4. ClimateTech:
Despite a slowdown in ESG-focused investments, European entrepreneurs remain committed to addressing climate challenges. German startup 1KOMMA5° is working on helping customers generate clean energy, while UrbanChain (UK) is developing decentralized energy networks. Treefera, another UK-based startup, focuses on decarbonization technologies.
5. HealthTech and BioTech:
The integration of AI into healthcare is another emerging theme. Companies like Causaly (UK) and Aqemia (France) are using AI to enhance medical research and drug discovery, pointing to a future where data-driven approaches could drastically shorten development timelines and improve patient outcomes.
6. Creative Industries:
Creativity meets technology as startups like Photoroom (France) and Kittl (Germany) use AI to democratize digital content creation. These tools empower users, from designers to marketers, to produce professional-grade visuals with unprecedented ease.
A Showcase at VivaTech 2025
Each of the selected startups will be featured during VivaTech 2025, held in Paris from June 11 to 14. As part of a bespoke acceleration program, they will gain access to investors, corporate partners, and mentors, offering unparalleled opportunities to scale their impact.
Investment and Strategic Implications
The participation of leading investment firms in assembling the list adds credibility and strategic insight to the selection process. By focusing on key performance metrics, such as revenue growth and market potential, the ranking serves as both a barometer of current trends and a predictor of future industry leaders.
It also sends a message to global investors: Europe is not just catching up; it is setting the pace in several key areas of technological advancement. With startups increasingly capable of delivering both innovation and profitability, the continent is emerging as a serious contender in the global tech race.
Europe’s Tech Maturity
The inclusion of startups across diverse sectors and countries highlights the continent’s growing confidence and capacity to innovate. Whether in deep tech, consumer applications, or enterprise solutions, European founders are proving that they can build globally competitive businesses with strong ethical and strategic foundations.
“This dynamic confirms that Europe is no longer just an area for growth, but a real laboratory for technological and societal transformation.” commented François Bitouzet, Managing Director of Viva Technology.
As Europe navigates the challenges and opportunities of the AI era, global events such as VivaTech and initiatives like the Top 100 Rising European Startups list provide essential visibility and support for the next generation of founders, startups, and innovators in the world of tech.
