Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026: Applications Now Open for the Prestigious International Startup Competition
The Automobile Club de France (ACF) and the Automobile & Mobility Club of ESSEC Alumni have officially launched the 9th edition of the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech, one of Europe’s most respected startup competitions dedicated to innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors.
For nearly a decade, the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech has established itself as a unique platform where visionary entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders converge to accelerate technological transformation across the global mobility ecosystem. The 2026 edition continues this tradition of excellence, expanding its network of partners and introducing a new award category to further spotlight industrialization success stories.
A Strengthened Network of Partners and Investors
This year, the competition welcomes AVP Capital, an international investment fund managing more than €2.5 billion, as a new strategic partner. AVP Capital joins eight existing partner funds, reinforcing the event’s role as a bridge between breakthrough innovation and long-term financial support.
In addition, BPI France / La French Fab has joined the initiative alongside the French Automotive Platform (PFA). Together, they will present a new Industrialization Award, designed to recognize one of the competition’s former finalists—dating back to 2018—who has successfully transitioned from prototype to large-scale industrial deployment.
This collaboration further strengthens the Grand Prix’s ecosystem, bringing together public and private actors to support the full lifecycle of innovation—from ideation and funding to industrial maturity and commercialization.
A Prestigious Platform for Global Automotive Innovation
Founded and coordinated by Richard de Cabrol, the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech operates under the high patronage of Yann de Pontbriand, President of the Automobile Club de France, and Thierry Peugeot, President of the ESSEC Automobile & Mobility Club.
Since its inception in 2018, the competition has built a reputation for being independent, inclusive, and free to enter, offering startups worldwide an opportunity to showcase technologies redefining how people and goods move.
Over the past eight editions, the competition has selected 46 finalist startups representing a diverse range of technologies—from electric powertrains and battery systems to mobility-as-a-service platforms and AI-driven vehicle intelligence. Collectively, these companies have raised over €650 million in capital, with only one failure among them—an extraordinary track record that underscores the rigor of the selection process and the quality of projects the Grand Prix supports.
A Label of Excellence for Automotive Startups
For Richard de Cabrol, this proven track record serves as a testament to the competition’s credibility and impact.
“The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech speaks for itself through the growing success of its finalists year after year. This demonstrates the strength of our selection and our position as a true label for excellence in automotive startups,”
said Richard de Cabrol, Founder and Coordinator of the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech.
This resilience also comes from the fact that our companies raise capital responsibly—they know the difference between selling and selling themselves. Today, those who truly sell survive. We are now looking for the next generation of innovators to join this long list of success stories. Which ones? Surprise us—innovation means discovering what we don’t yet know.”
His words capture the essence of what the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech has come to symbolize: a commitment to responsible growth, industrial feasibility, and innovation that advances the automotive industry’s evolution rather than chasing trends.
Three Major Awards to Recognize Innovation at Every Stage
The 2026 edition of the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech will once again honor groundbreaking startups across three award categories, ensuring recognition for innovation at all stages of development:
- Grand Prix ACF – This top honor celebrates mature startups that have demonstrated strong market traction, scalability, and a clear path toward profitability. These companies typically have established customer bases and validated technologies ready for industrial deployment.
- ACF Pioneer Award – Reserved for early-stage (Seed) startups, this award highlights promising young companies developing disruptive technologies that could redefine the future of mobility. The focus is on creativity, technical innovation, and potential for rapid growth.
- GPACF GreenTech Mention – Introduced to recognize the finalist whose technology delivers exceptional environmental impact, this distinction underscores the competition’s commitment to sustainability and decarbonization within the automotive industry.
Beyond trophies and recognition, winners benefit from a comprehensive package of resources, mentorship, and exposure designed to accelerate their growth and international reach. Learn more about prizes and criteria: www.grandprixacfautotech.com/recompenses
Unmatched Opportunities for Visibility and Growth
The Grand Prix ACF AutoTech stands out not just as a competition, but as a launchpad for global success. Each year, finalists gain access to a powerful ecosystem that combines financial, strategic, and industrial expertise.
Award winners receive:
- Exceptional media visibility across Europe and beyond, positioning their brand in front of key automotive and investment audiences.
- Personalized legal and financial advisory support to navigate the complexities of scaling operations, fundraising, and international expansion.
- Strategic coaching and mentorship from industry leaders, enabling startups to refine business models, partnerships, and go-to-market strategies.
- Direct access to investors, OEMs, and key decision-makers, opening doors to collaboration, joint ventures, and pilot projects.
These advantages have consistently translated into tangible success. Many past winners and finalists have gone on to secure major funding rounds, forge partnerships with leading automotive manufacturers, and deploy their technologies in real-world applications.
A Partner Ecosystem Tailored to Every Candidate
One of the unique aspects of the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech is its customized application review process. Applicants can select which partners they want to evaluate their submission, ensuring that their innovations reach the most relevant stakeholders.
The competition’s partners span the entire automotive value chain—including technology providers, OEMs, investors, and professional services firms—such as:
- Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility
- Forvia
- OPmobility
- FIDAL
- MOTUL
- Renault Group
- Alongside 33 additional partners, including 9 investment funds
This flexibility provides startups with exposure to organizations most aligned with their business model or technological domain, regardless of the final competition results. Even non-winning participants often gain valuable introductions and business opportunities through these connections.
Grand Prix ACF AutoTech 2026 – Key Dates to Remember
Interested startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their applications ahead of the competition’s official deadlines. The upcoming calendar includes the following milestones:
- November 28, 2025 (11:59 p.m.) – Deadline for applications
- January 8, 2026 – Announcement of semi-finalists
- February 10, 2026 – Announcement of finalists
- April 15, 2026 – Live final and awards ceremony at the Automobile Club de France, Paris
The live finale is a highlight of the competition, gathering executives, investors, engineers, and mobility innovators from across Europe. Finalists pitch their solutions on stage before an expert jury, making it a one-of-a-kind opportunity to secure visibility and investor confidence at the heart of the French automotive ecosystem.
About the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech
Established in 2018 by the Automobile Club de France and the Automobile & Mobility Club of ESSEC Alumni, the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech has become a cornerstone event for automotive innovation. It celebrates entrepreneurship, fosters collaboration between startups and industry leaders, and supports the evolution toward smarter, cleaner, and more connected mobility.
Open to startups from around the world, the competition identifies and supports the most promising technologies shaping the future of mobility—from electrification and AI-driven safety systems to advanced materials, connected services, and sustainable logistics solutions.
Through nearly a decade of success stories, the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech continues to reinforce France’s and Europe’s position as global hubs for automotive innovation.
As applications open for the 2026 edition, one thing is certain: the next wave of transformative startups will once again take center stage at the Automobile Club de France—driving the industry forward into a smarter, cleaner, and more connected future.
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