Rice University, along with the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), will co-sponsor a high-level trade mission to Paris this June. The mission, centered on Viva Technology 2025, Europe’s largest technology and innovation conference, will include a welcome reception at the Rice Global Paris Center, the university’s European hub for research, collaboration and innovation.
“This is a very exciting opportunity,” said Caroline Levander, Rice’s vice president for global strategy. “Our physical location in Paris and longstanding partnerships throughout Europe make this a terrific chance to spotlight Rice not only to the Houston delegation, but also to the global community of tech leaders and innovators at VivaTech.”
Held June 11–14 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, VivaTech brings together more than 160,000 attendees from across the global tech ecosystem to explore breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, sustainability, health care and more. This year’s theme, “The New Frontiers of Innovation,” aligns with Rice’s growing global presence and commitment to innovation.
The Houston delegation, which includes executives, entrepreneurs, public officials and startups, will showcase the region’s strengths in emerging technologies, foster international partnerships and promote Houston as a global hub of innovation.
“Harris County and Paris may have different industrial foundations, but we are united by a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and global connectivity,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “As the heart of America’s energy industry and home to a fast-growing tech ecosystem, from the Texas Medical Center to the Ion innovation district, our region is investing strategically in the future. As we prepare to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, we’re also learning from Paris’ experience hosting global events like the Olympics and the World Cup. This trade mission is about establishing new partnerships, learning from one another and equipping our regions to succeed together in a time of rapid transformation.”
“Houston is uniquely positioned at the intersection of energy, health and advanced tech, making it one of the most exciting places for innovation in the world today,” said John Cypher, GHP’s vice president of international investment and trade. “This mission is about telling that story on the global stage — and forming real partnerships that deliver value back to our region.”
Rice faculty will present at VivaTech and university-affiliated startups will be featured among the global exhibits. The trade mission will also include meetings with MEDEF, France’s largest business association; Station F, the world’s largest startup campus; and BPI France, Europe’s largest public investment bank.
“This is our first effort in Europe to focus explicitly on innovation,” Levander said. “We see this as a pilot for future summits — an experiment that could shape how we show up internationally and how Rice accelerates discovery and entrepreneurship.”
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