Open Startup (OST) made a bold mark at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, deepening cross-continental innovation ties between Africa and Europe. The week-long immersion showcased the growing strength of African startups and OST’s role in shaping an inclusive future of tech, talent, and investment.

Bridge & Build: Africa x Europe Tech

Kicking off the week, OST co-hosted “Bridge & Build: Africa x Europe Tech” alongside Ring Capital and House of Ichigo. The event gathered a vibrant community of founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders, with powerful insights from speakers like Élisabeth Moreno and Jean-Christophe Conticello. Ten standout African startups delivered rapid-fire one-minute pitches, spotlighting their ambition and innovation.

Deep Dives into Strategy and Impact

At Sanofi, startups explored go-to-market and B2B sales strategies, diving into essential topics like access, traceability, and the future of healthcare in Africa.
At Bpifrance, founders from both continents exchanged real-time pitches and received expert feedback in a session focused on strengthening investment and innovation bridges.

Taking the Stage at VivaTech

OST CEO Houda Ghozzi, PhD joined the panel “Challenges to Africa’s Innovation: 2025 Outlook,” tackling key topics from funding gaps to talent mobility. Meanwhile, OST alumna Salma Tamam (Reme-D.Inc) took home top honors at the AfricaTech Awards, affirming the excellence of the OST community.

Building Global Pathways for Deeptech

Meetings with Hello Tomorrow and Agoranov highlighted the importance of deeptech diplomacy, unlocking new collaborations across research, talent, and capital. These engagements are paving the way for African startups to access and contribute to global innovation frontiers.