French Tech Connect Poland 2026: A Record-Breaking Night

We did it again!

The very first edition joining the forces of La French Tech Warsaw x Krakow went legendary. French Tech Connect Poland 2026 shattered the all-time attendance record at CIC Warsaw, welcoming over 900 registered participants accross both the Conferences and the Awards Ceremony, surpassing last year's milestone of 600+ attendees. What started as an ambition to connect French and Polish tech ecosystems has grown into one of Central Europe's most anticipated tech gatherings - and this year's edition proved exactly why.

 

An Evening Anchored in History

The night opened with a keynote address by His Excellency the French Ambassador to Poland, whose words carried particular weight on the first anniversary of the Traité de Nancy - the landmark agreement deepening Franco-Polish relations. We also had a word from our President, Walid Barsali, with a presentation of the French Tech ecosystem and our activity. A fitting reminder that what we build in tech does not exist in a vacuum: it is grounded in diplomacy, trust, and a shared vision for European sovereignty.

 

Four Tracks, One Conversation That Matters

Across four parallel tracks, some of the sharpest minds in their fields took the floor:

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🛡️ Security, Sovereignty & Defense Tech - by Orange Polska

As geopolitical stakes reshape the innovation landscape, this track tackled the hard questions around dual-use technology, European strategic autonomy, and the future of defense innovation.

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🤖 AI Decoded: Tech & Capital - by Webellian

Beyond the hype, investors, founders, and technologists unpacked where smart money is actually flowing in AI, and what durable value creation looks like in the most contested market of our era.

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⚡ Energy & Infrastructure Tech - by GreenFuture Energy

From AI-driven electricity demand to blockchain applications across the energy value chain, this track explored the infrastructure race that will define the digital economy of tomorrow.

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🚀 Startup Pitch Competition: French Tech Connect Awards - by xFactory - Forvis Mazars

The most electric session of the night. Startups from across the ecosystem took the stage, pitched hard, and three outstanding ventures walked away as winners:

• 🛡️ TrustTech Award - SunFlower

• 💼 WorkTech Award - SmartyTalent

• ♻️ EnergyTech Award - Stabillon

Congratulations to all three, your next chapter starts now, with doors opening to VivaTech and the xFactory - Forvis Mazars Accelerator.

 

A Night Above the City

The French Tech Connect Awards launched our VIP after-party - held on the 46th floor of the Varso Tower, the highest venue in Europe. With the Warsaw skyline stretching out beneath us, it was the perfect setting to celebrate a night of ideas, ambition, and new connections formed over cocktails and conversation.

 

Thank You

None of this happens without the people who make it real. To our speakers, moderators, partners, sponsors, and every single attendee who brought their energy and curiosity to CIC Warsaw - this event is yours.

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We are proud and deeply grateful to have worked alongside such exceptional partners to bring this edition to life. The quality of the night, from the programming to the experience, is a direct reflection of the trust and commitment we share.

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Same time next year? We'll see you there. 👋

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La French Tech Warsaw & La French Tech Kraków