Ref.
2026/EEFSPNPV/15315
Job offer type
Experts
Type of contract
Fixed-term contract (CDD)
Deadline date
2026/05/08 23:59
Contract
Freelancer
Duration
3 months
European Expert for Startup Pitch & Networking Preparation – VivaTech 2026 (Remote) (M/W)
Departement Economie Durable et Inclusive - EDIN > Pôle Entreprenariat et Innovation
Published on : 2026/04/24
CONTINENTAL EUROPE
UKRAINE
Mission description
Nine startups from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region — three from Ukraine, three from Armenia, and three from Moldova — have been selected to participate in the VivaTech 2026 Pitching Studio, which will take place on June 19, 2026. To maximize their visibility, impact, and readiness, they require individual, tailored coaching on pitching, networking, and efficient participation.
Under the supervision of the Communication Manager, the expert will ensure that each startup is individually prepared to:
· Deliver compelling, investor-ready pitches during VivaTech pitch session.
· Build customized agendas of relevant meetings (investors, clients, partners, competitors, ecosystem actors) identifying and prioritizing opportunities aligned with their growth stage, development objectives and sector.
· Network effectively to create meaningful, long-term connections.
The role requires autonomy, strong facilitation and mentoring skills, and the ability to adapt to diverse startup needs in an international, multicultural environment.
Objectives and tasks
In close collaboration with the project team, the expert will:
- Work individually with each of the 9 startups to cover:
o Pitch structure, storytelling, and delivery techniques.
o Investor expectations and Q&A handling.
o Strategic exploration of VivaTech (agenda planning, booths, side events, matchmaking).
o Networking strategies tailored to each startup’s sector and maturity.
- Support startups in developing customized VivaTech agendas to ensure targeted meetings with investors, clients, competitors, and ecosystem partners.
- Design, collect and analyze pre- and post-coaching self assessments to measure progress.
- Ensure that each startup founder is prepared to deliver a compelling pitch and benefit fully from the participation at VivaTech.
Expected deliverables
· Pre- and post- self assessment questionnaires
· Individual sessions delivered for each startup
· Individual reports regarding the coaching sessions delivered and progress achieved with each startup (up to 5 pages per startup)
· Customized VivaTech agenda for each startup (meetings with investors, clients, competitors, partners) co-developped with each startup founder
· Final report of the assignment, up to 15 pages, with recommendations, lessons learned, and best practices for future editions.
Assignment Timeframe
|
Deliverables |
Deadline |
|
Pre- and post- self assessment questionnaires |
25 May |
|
Individual sessions delivered for each startup |
14 June |
|
Customized VivaTech agenda for each startup (meetings with investors, clients, competitors, partners) co-developed with each startup founder |
14 June |
|
Individual reports regarding the coaching sessions delivered and progress achieved with each startup (up to 5 pages per startup) - post event |
30 June |
|
Final report of the assignment, up to 15 pages, with recommendations, lessons learned, and best practices for future editions – post event |
15 July |
Project or context description
EU4Innovation East is a regional project enhancing the competitiveness of the startup ecosystems in five Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. At its core is a comprehensive strategy to foster high-performance incubators, expand funding and market opportunities, strengthen community ties and amplify the visibility of EaP startups. Through strategic co-financing, capacity building, regulatory support, and a commitment to gender equality, EU4Innovation East promotes an inclusive and sustainable innovation landscape. By amplifying regional achievements and deepening cross-border connections, the project lays the groundwork for impactful growth.
The EU4Innovation East project is funded by the European Union, co-funded by the French government and implemented by Expertise France.
|
Title:
|
EU4Innovation East – Support to Digital innovation in the Eastern Partnership region |
|
Geographic scope:
|
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine |
|
Duration: |
54 months, i.e. 4.5 years (04/2024 - 10/2028) |
|
Financed by: |
• EU Commission: 20.000.000,00€ • France: 2.120.000,00€, earmarked for Ukraine |
|
Implementing Agency: |
Expertise France (EF) |
|
Overall objective: |
Contribute to strengthen the competitiveness and maturity of the private sector in innovation in EaP countries through valuable collaborations with European partners |
|
Pillars’ description: |
Pillar 1 – Supporting early-stage funding Pillar 2 - Backing high added-value segments and high-performance incubation Pillar 3 - Strengthening community ties Pillar 4 – Promoting EaP startups and advancing the development of EU partnerships |
Required profile
The expert should have:
· Proven experience of at least 5 years in startup pitch training, investor relations and networking.
· Strong familiarity with international startup events (preferably VivaTech or similar).
· Strong facilitation, mentoring and coaching skills.
· Excellent communication in English
Required Knowledge, Experience, Skills, and Abilities
· Strong involvement in the international startup ecosystem and good knowledge of its different players.
· Previous experience with one or more Eastern Neighborhood countries is a significant asset.
Additional information
Logistics and timeframe
Place of work: Remote
Duration of the contract: up to 3 months, with an estimated level of effort of maximum 12 working days.
The working language shall be English.
Application process
The application should include :
· Curriculum Vitae (CV), clearly indicating the candidate’s education, professional experience, and relevant assignments, including a description of the expert’s role and responsibilities. The CV should include specific references to assignments demonstrating relevant experience.
· Cover letter (maximum 1–2 pages), outlining the candidate’s suitability for the assignment, relevant experience in relation to the Terms of Reference, and motivation for applying as well as an indication of the expected daily fee rate (in EUR), inclusive of all costs.
· Proposed methodology and delivery plan (including approach to individual coaching and agenda building).
· Applications shall be submitted in English.
· Only shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further assessment.
· The Contracting Authority reserves the right to request supporting documents and/or references for the verification of the information provided.
Application deadline
The applications should be submitted by 8 May 2026.
Deadline for application : 2026/05/08 23:59
Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :
- democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
- peace, stability, and security ;
- climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
- health and human development ;
In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.