From June 16th to 18th, the European tech world converged on Paris for VivaTech, and Satnam, CTO and Co-founder of twig bio, was on the ground to take it all in. Attending as part of the UK Sovereign AI delegation, the trip offered a frontline view of how Europe is mobilizing to capture the generational opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.
Here is a look back at a whirlwind week of cross-border collaboration, visionary keynotes, and startup networking.
Diplomacy Meets Deep TechA major highlight of the week was the UK-France Tech reception, hosted at the stunning British Ambassador’s residence. The event gathered a dynamic cross-section of the ecosystem, bringing together large UK and French corporates, high-growth scale-ups, agile startups, and government officials.
The centerpiece of the evening was a deeply insightful discussion between Suzanne Ashman, Managing Director of Sovereign AI, and her counterpart at BPIFrance. The two traded views on the strategic role that government-backed funds must play in stimulating and sustaining tech ecosystems. The conversation struck a crucial balance: while there was palpable optimism regarding the UK and Europe’s ability to lead in the AI era, both leaders openly acknowledged the mammoth task ahead. Capturing this opportunity will require an unprecedented mobilization of resources and a sheer urgency to execute before the window closes.
The Scale of VivaTechThe energy from the reception carried over to the VivaTech exhibition floor, which was nothing short of spectacular. Global giants—including L’Oreal, Samsung, LVMH, and Airbus—showcased how they are integrating cutting-edge technology into their core operations.
Beyond the exhibitor booths, the speaker lineup provided a masterclass in technological foresight. Satnam attended inspiring and visionary keynotes from industry titans, including the CEOs of ASML and Siemens, as well as foundational AI pioneer Yann LeCun.
Founder Insights at the Dawn Capital BreakfastThe insights continued away from the main conference stages. At the Dawn Capital x Sovereign AI Founders breakfast, Satnam had the opportunity to hear from Jeff Hawke, Co-founder and CTO of Odyssey AI.
Fresh off the back of a massive >$300M Series B raise, Hawke sat down in conversation with Will Bushby. Hearing a firsthand account of the ambition, technical challenges, and scaling trajectory of a company moving at Odyssey AI’s velocity was a deeply inspiring start to the day.
Ground-Level InnovationWhile keynotes and high-level panels set the broader narrative, the real pulse of any tech conference is found in one-on-one hallway conversations. Throughout the week, Satnam spent time talking with the founders and teams behind a wave of exciting emerging startups, including Xyme, Cosine, Callosum, and Prima Mente.
Ultimately, the week in Paris served as a powerful reminder of the strength of the European tech ecosystem. Between the strategic backing of government initiatives, the deep pockets of corporate innovators, and the relentless drive of new startups, the momentum building across the Channel is undeniable.