From 10 to 13 February 2026, Team Nice Côte d’Azur is mobilizing to promote the territory in the field of artificial intelligence.
Alongside risingSUD and its regional partners, Jean-François Chapperon and Stefano Cimmarusti are taking part in the AI Business Tour, with the hosting in Nice on 11 February of more than 50 international decision-makers coming to discover the local smart tech ecosystem. This 2026 edition stands out for a strong representation of Canadian companies, confirming Canada’s strategic interest in the Nice Côte d’Azur territory.
Stefano Cimmarusti, Head of Project Development within Team Nice Côte d’Azur and Canada’s Global Executive (CGE) representative in the South of France, appointed by the Canadian government, embodies these strengthened ties between the two countries.
As a continuation, Team Nice Côte d’Azur will take part in WAICF 2026 (World AI Cannes Festival), a leading international event for artificial intelligence, on 12 and 13 February in Cannes. Jean-François Chapperon and Axelle Xerri will represent the Nice Côte d’Azur territory there alongside territorial partners.
An international delegation welcomed in Nice
On 11 February, as part of the AI Business Tour led by risingSUD, Team Nice Côte d’Azur welcomes a delegation made up of more than 50 foreign companies and institutions, immersed in the territory to discover the technological and innovation strengths of the Côte d’Azur.
On the agenda: visits to the Allianz Accelerator and IMREDD, meetings with the local AI ecosystem, and presentations of hosting conditions for international projects. This initiative is conducted with risingSUD, within the framework of the regional attractiveness strategy.
The presence of numerous Canadian companies, particularly active in smart techs, confirms the growing interest in transatlantic cooperation. The involvement of Stefano Cimmarusti, representing both Team Nice Côte d’Azur and the Canada’s Global Executive (CGE) program, enhances the region’s visibility among North American investors.
Active presence at WAICF 2026
WAICF (World AI Cannes Festival), held in Cannes on 12 and 13 February 2026, brings together more than 10,000 artificial intelligence professionals from around the world.
Team Nice Côte d’Azur highlights the technological ecosystem of the Nice Côte d’Azur territory there alongside its institutional partners. Jean-François Chapperon and Axelle Xerri will represent the Nice Côte d’Azur territory.
This event serves as a showcase to strengthen the territory’s visibility, extend the exchanges initiated during the AI Business Tour, and promote local start-ups present at the exhibition.
Local start-ups positioned in AI value chains
Several start-ups based in the Nice Côte d’Azur territory will present their AI solutions at WAICF 2026. These companies illustrate the territory’s potential in high-impact technological fields:
1. Active Asset Allocation: financial optimization through AI
2. AICO Technology: ultra-low-power neuromorphic architecture
3. DataGreen: sovereign and sustainable data centers, without air conditioning
4. France Labs – Datafari: secure enterprise search engine
5. Includdy: digital accessibility through AI
6. Nodeus Solutions: at-home support for seniors via intelligent sensors
7. UncovAI: automatic detection of AI-generated content
These players reflect the vitality of the Côte d’Azur entrepreneurial fabric in the sectors of digital health, cybersecurity, the silver economy, and energy efficiency.
An attractiveness strategy focused on smart techs
Through its participation in the AI Business Tour and WAICF 2026, Team Nice Côte d’Azur strengthens its economic prospecting actions. The agency aims to attract external investment projects in strategic sectors: applied AI, smart health, cybersecurity, data, and sustainable infrastructures.
This strategy is based on a structured ecosystem built around Université Côte d’Azur, Institut 3IA Côte d’Azur, IMREDD, and a network of economic players committed to technological innovation and the digital transition.
