AI Innovations from the AI Grid Network
As part of the Startup Germany delegation, AI Grid presented at the German joint booth how young AI researchers are charting a path from excellent research to entrepreneurial innovation and societal impact.
The focus was on three startup projects from the AI Grid network:
- machinemade by Samim and Tamim Multaheb,
- SmartCart by Milan Ferus-Comelo and Lilly Höschele
- Delcaux Labs by Fadel Mamar Seydou and Nandakrishnan Rajeev.
Over the course of four days, they presented their solutions to an international audience from business, research, and politics and used the trade show to forge valuable connections with potential partners, investors, and other innovators.
German-French Cooperation as a Driver of Innovation
A particular highlight was the opening of the German pavilion as part of Germany @ VivaTech 2026. The event underscored the importance of German-French cooperation for Europe’s innovative strength, technological sovereignty, and the responsible development of AI.
On stage, Prof. Dr. Catherine Pelachaud, AI Grid Ambassador for France; Laure Poirson, AI Grid Project Manager; and Samim Multaheb, AI Grid member and founder of machinemade, discussed the conditions young AI talents need to realize their potential. Key topics included greater international mobility, more flexible transitions between academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, as well as stronger connections between research, business, and networks that bring talent together with mentors, like-minded peers, and concrete opportunities. Chancen zusammenbringen.
AI Grid AI Grid Engages with Policy Makers and Researchers
The visit by Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Education and Research, to the AI Grid booth drew particular attention. Together with Stefan Jazdzejewski, Managing Director of Talentik GmbH and a member of the AI Grid Executive Board, Laure Poirson, Project Manager at AI Grid, presented the network’s activities and explained how AI Grid supports young AI researchers through national and European collaborations.
Together with French Minister of Research Philippe Baptiste, Dorothee Bär also emphasized the importance of Franco-German cooperation for strengthening European innovation and competitiveness.
Another important signal for the future of European AI was the announcement of a new Franco-German AI center in collaboration with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and Inria. This initiative is of particular significance for AI Grid, as the network maintains close ties with DFKI and will further deepen its exchange with Inria as part of the Franco-German AI Summer School in Paris.
Networks Create Opportunities
In addition to political momentum and technological innovations, VivaTech also demonstrated how crucial personal initiative is for professional success. Many of the most valuable encounters arose from active conversations, spontaneous connections, and exchanges with people from various sectors of the AI ecosystem. AI Grid members made extensive use of these opportunities, gaining new perspectives on research, entrepreneurship, and international career paths.
The event made it clear that innovation arises not only from technological excellence, but also from networks and communities that connect people. Those who actively reach out to others, ask questions, and make connections lay the foundation for new collaborations, career opportunities, and ideas.
