One-third of the Next40 2026 startups founded or led by L’X alumni

The 2026 edition of the FrenchTech Next40/120 program, which supports the most promising French startups, highlighted the fields of artificial intelligence and quantum technology. 

Among the winners, whose list was unveiled on June 17, are also startups operating in a wide variety of fields: energy and carbon-free mobility, robotics, e-health, or fintech.

Nearly 40% of the award winners are deep-tech companies—firms that drive disruptive innovations stemming from basic research and are supported by teams with technological or scientific backgrounds—all characteristics that align closely with the programs offered by École Polytechnique.

Launched in 2019 by the French government, the French Tech Next40 label aims to promote and support the most promising startups in the technology sectors through dedicated support measures. The FT120 label recognizes an additional 80 startups in a phase of very rapid growth.

Over the years, the selection criteria have evolved and are no longer based solely on economic and financial indicators. As a result, the evaluation of startups now takes into account technological factors directly related to R&D, and particular attention is paid to projects that address societal challenges such as digital sovereignty, the ecological transition, health, and reindustrialization.

In 2026, the FrenchTech Next40/120 program welcomed 34 new entrants, including 15 in the Next40. Five of them were admitted directly, including AMI Labs, founded by Yann Le Cun, former chief science officer of Meta’s (Google) AI division; the hospital management platform Hublo; the legaltech company LegalPlace; and Quobly, a company specializing in quantum computing.

Ten other startups already included in the French Tech 120 have made it onto the Next40 list. Among them are Pasqal in quantum computing, Aqemia in AI-driven drug discovery, H Company and Ekimetrics in AI agents, Shift Technology in AI solutions for insurance, and Wandercraft, which specializes in robotics.

The fourteen startups from École Polytechnique on the Next40 list:

• Mistral AI: Co-founded by Arthur Mensch (X2011), Guillaume Lample (X2010), and Timothée Lacroix (X2010).
• AMI LABS, led by Alexis Lebrun (X94).
• Shift Technology: Jérémy Jawish, Eric Sibony, and David Marron (all X2007).
• Ekimetrics: Co-founded by Jean-Baptiste Bouzige (X2000), Paul-Antoine Chevalier, François-Xavier Jollois, and Quentin de Chivré (X2001).
• Wandercraft: co-founded by Nicolas Simon, Matthieu Masselin, and Alexandre Boulanger (all X2002).
• H (formerly Holistic AI): co-founded by Laurent Sifre (X2005).
• Pasqal: co-founded by Christophe Jurczak (X1993).
• Alma: co-founded by Guillaume Desloges (X2005).
• ChapsVision: Founded by Olivier Dellenbach (X1981). 
• Pennylane: co-founded by Arthur Waller and Félix Blossier (double degree from Sciences Po and Polytechnique), among others. 
• Alice & Bob: co-founded by Théau Peronnin (X2012).
• PayFit: co-founded by Florian Fournier (X2013).
• MEDADOM: co-founded by Nathaniel Bern (X2011).
• SPENDESK: co-founded by Rodolphe Ardant (X2001).

The fourteen École Polytechnique startups among the 80 that, together with the Next40, make up the Newt120: 

• Exotrail, co-founded by David Henri and Paul Lascombes (École Polytechnique class of 2013).
• Jimmy, co-founded by Antoine Guyot (X2014).
• Deepki, co-founded by Emmanuel Blanchet (X2002).
• Voltalis, co-founded by Pierre Bivas (X1984) and Mathieu Bineau (X1991). 
• 360Learning, co-founded by Nick Hernandez (X2003).
• Vestiaire Collective, co-founded by Sébastien Fabre (X1996).
• OUIHELP, co-founded by Victor Sebag (X2007).
• PAPERNEST, co-founded by Philippe Libault de la Chevasnerie (X2009).
• MISTERTEMP, founded by Alexandre Pham (X1994).
• YESPARK, co-founded by Thibaut Chary (X2010). 
• MOON SURGICAL fondée par Anne Osdoit (X2000).
• SparingVision : co-fondé par Laurent Arthaud (X1981).
• Greenly : co-fondé par Matthieu Vergreville (X2020).
• Energy Pool : Arnaud Pichard (Executive Master 2020).