You Won’t Believe Which 6 Startups Made It to the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026 Final – Find Out Now!

The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026, an esteemed international startup competition focused on innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors, has identified six finalist startups following an extensive deliberation by its jury on February 9 at the Automobile Club de France. The competition, which has been recognizing pioneering initiatives since its inception in 2018, emphasizes technological ambition, economic viability, and a tangible impact on reducing automotive costs and enhancing industrial performance.

This year, the selected finalists reflect key themes in the industry, including AI-assisted engineering design, securing strategic independence from critical materials, and optimizing advanced LiDAR technology.

The finalists are categorized into two groups: the Grand Prix ACF for mature startups and the ACF Pioneer Prize for seed-stage startups.

Grand Prix ACF (Mature Startups):

• Altrove (Paris, France): This startup is developing innovative alternatives to high-risk critical inorganic materials through a proprietary algorithmic approach combined with unique artificial intelligence, aiming to bolster industrial resilience and technological sovereignty.
• Cognitive Design Systems (Toulouse, France): They offer an AI-powered engineering design platform that speeds up design exploration while automating complex engineering workflows.
• Spark Cleantech (Essonne, France): This company has pioneered a breakthrough plasma technology that can split methane into hydrogen and solid carbon with zero CO₂ emissions.

ACF Pioneer Prize (Seed-Stage Startups):

• Sumot (Grenoble, France): This startup has developed an over-flux inverter technology that enhances electric motor performance or minimizes motor size without compromising power output.
• Bloomineral (Saclay, France): They produce a carbon-negative mineral material intended to replace polluting minerals currently used in automotive plastics, components, and batteries.
• Iridesense (Paris, France): This company has created the world’s first multispectral 3D LiDAR, capable of distinguishing material types to improve vehicle perception and safety.

The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech will present four awards on April 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Paris, including the Grand Prix ACF, the ACF Pioneer Prize, the GPACF GreenTech Mention, and a newly introduced Industrialization Trophy, awarded to a past finalist that has successfully industrialized its solution since 2018. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube, allowing audience participation through voting.

Richard de Cabrol, Managing Director of the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech, noted the exceptional quality of this year’s submissions, stating, “Artificial intelligence, productivity gains, material sovereignty, energy performance, and electric powertrain innovation are all represented. This edition confirms that the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech remains fully aligned with the key challenges facing the industry.”

Yann de Pontbriand, President of the Automobile Club de France, emphasized the importance of innovation in the automotive sector, asserting, “Automotive and industrial innovation is deeply rooted in the DNA of the Automobile Club de France. For nine years, this competition has highlighted international startups whose pioneering spirit reflects our own.”

With the automotive industry facing unprecedented challenges, the innovations presented by these startups could play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. As the event approaches, the spotlight will be on how these groundbreaking ideas can translate into practical solutions for today’s pressing automotive issues.