You Won’t Believe Which 6 Startups Made the Cut at the 2026 Grand Prix ACF AutoTech—One Could Change Everything!

PARIS, February 10, 2026 — The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026 jury convened at the Automobile Club de France on February 9 to deliberate on the most innovative automotive startups, resulting in the selection of six standout finalists. This year’s competition highlights significant advancements in automotive technology, specifically in areas such as AI-assisted engineering, strategic independence from critical materials, and advanced LiDAR optimization.

The finalists were chosen for their technological ambition, economic feasibility, and potential impact on reducing automotive costs and enhancing industrial performance. The competition comprises two categories: the Grand Prix ACF for mature startups and the ACF Pioneer Prize for seed-stage companies.

The finalists in the Grand Prix ACF category include:

• Altrove (Paris, France) - This startup develops innovative alternatives to high-risk critical inorganic materials utilizing a proprietary algorithmic approach and unique artificial intelligence, thereby bolstering industrial resilience and technological sovereignty.
• Cognitive Design Systems (Toulouse, France) - It offers an AI-powered engineering design platform that accelerates design exploration and automates complex engineering workflows.
• Spark Cleantech (Essonne, France) - Known for its groundbreaking plasma technology that splits methane into hydrogen and solid carbon with zero CO₂ emissions, highlighting a significant leap in clean technology.

In the ACF Pioneer Prize category, the finalists are:

• Sumot (Grenoble, France) - This startup is developing an over-flux inverter technology that enhances electric motor performance or reduces motor size for equivalent power.
• Bloomineral (Saclay, France) - Aiming for sustainability, Bloomineral produces a carbon-negative mineral material designed to replace polluting minerals used in automotive plastics, components, and batteries.
• Iridesense (Paris, France) - It has created the world’s first multispectral 3D LiDAR capable of identifying material types to improve vehicle perception and safety.

Four awards will be presented at the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026, including the Grand Prix ACF, the ACF Pioneer Prize, the GPACF GreenTech Mention, and a new Industrialization Trophy, which recognizes a former finalist that has successfully industrialized its solution since 2018.

Founded and coordinated by Richard de Cabrol, the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech has been held under the high patronage of Yann de Pontbriand, President of the Automobile Club de France, and Thierry Peugeot, President of the ESSEC Auto & Mobility Club. De Pontbriand emphasized the significance of the competition, stating, "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."

Richard de Cabrol remarked on the quality of this year’s projects, noting that they encompass crucial themes such as artificial intelligence, productivity gains, material sovereignty, energy performance, and innovations in electric powertrains. He stressed that this edition confirms the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech's alignment with the critical challenges facing the industry.

The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026 Final is scheduled for April 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Automobile Club de France in Paris. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and will include audience voting, adding an interactive dimension to the competition.

The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech, founded in 2018, is an international startup competition dedicated to fostering innovation in the automotive, mobility, and industrial sectors. It is a platform where cutting-edge ideas meet commercial viability, aiming to propel the next generation of automotive innovations.

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For more information, visit en.grandprixacfautotech.com.