15 innovative startups and young business leaders from across Pacific countries and territories have taken the region’s burgeoning tech ecosystem to the global stage at the world’s largest technology conference, VivaTech 2025.
The Pacific Tech Village was a landmark debut at the event, showcasing the reality of innovation and entrepreneurship from the Pacific and its global impact and opportunities to the rest of the world.
This initiative, co-organised by the Pacific Community (SPC), French Tech Nouvelle-Calédonie, and New Caledonian startup NeoTech, aimed to spotlight the region's technical innovation by showing the incredible work already underway and the opportunities for investors to engage with Pacific entrepreneurs.
The Pacific Tech Village
The selection process to compose the Pacific Tech Village was rigorous, with over 80 applications from 17 Pacific countries and territories. Startups were evaluated based on technological innovation, environmental and/or societal impact, economic viability and regional representation. The final delegation included 15 startups, each receiving a fully sponsored exhibition space and a round-trip ticket to Paris to engage in the event.
The Pacific Tech Village pavilion, spanning over 50 square meters, was designed to reflect the diversity and innovation of the Pacific. It served as a hub for networking, allowing startups to connect with investors, corporations and media from around the world.
This inaugural participation marked a significant step in integrating Pacific innovations into the global tech landscape, highlighting the region's potential and fostering future collaborations.
Smartie, a Cook Islands-based fintech startup, made a significant impact at Viva Technology 2025 allowing them to showcase their innovative financial management ‘super-app’ on a global stage. Founded just four months prior to the expo, Smartie's rapid ascent underscores the growth potential of Pacific innovation. Their participation not only highlighted the unique challenges and solutions pertinent to the Pacific but also emphasised the region's burgeoning role in the global tech ecosystem.
Investors were keen to support and connect with entrepreneurs and ideas like Smartie and this work is leading to effective inclusion of Pacific voices on global tech spaces.
The Pacific empowering itself through data
The Pacific region, covering nearly a third of the planet, faces unique sustainability challenges. Its vast oceanic expanse, scattered islands, and remote populations make environmental monitoring and informed decision-making especially complex. This is where the Pacific Community (SPC) and the strategic use of data becomes indispensable for sustainable development and resilience in the face of climate change.
SPC's Director-General, Stuart Minchin, was invited to talk about the matter at VivaTechnology in Paris in June 2025 where he outlined the urgent need to capitalize on the digital transformation space to ensure that every Pacific community can access the information they need from health reviews to changes in their environment.
Bridging gaps with technology
Traditional methods of environmental monitoring are often unfeasible in the Pacific due to distance and resource limitations. Technology and especially Earth observation satellites, remote sensing and cloud-based analytics have revolutionised data collection and accessibility. For example, SPC and its members countries now utilise over 750,000 satellite images, covering 25 years of coastal and environmental changes to create decision-ready products that inform governments and communities. These tools allow even the smallest island nations to track coastline erosion, mangrove health, and water presence, all without needing in-house remote sensing specialists. Unlocking this access for everyday use and supporting the right tech environment for entrepreneurs is a critical opportunity for the Pacific region.
From data to actionable insights
Collecting data is only the first step. The real challenge lies in transforming vast, fragmented datasets into actionable insights. The Pacific has experienced both data scarcity and an overwhelming abundance of raw data, which can paralyse decision-making if not processed and contextualised. Cloud-based services and digital platforms now bridge this gap, providing user-friendly dashboards and visualisations that empower local leaders to make informed choices about land management, disaster preparedness and climate adaptation.
A striking example comes from Tuvalu, one of the countries most threatened by sea level rise globally. Detailed modeling and visualisation, using drones and satellite data, have enabled Tuvalu to understand the existential threat it faces and to take proactive adaptation measures, such as land reclamation projects to safeguard critical infrastructure. These visualisations have also been instrumental in unlocking climate finance by making the risks tangible to policymakers and investors. The 3D atoll model from Tuvalu is a perfect example of the use if this important progress in technology and was presented along with Digital Earth Pacific (DEPacific) and the Pacific Data Hub (PDH) in Paris during VivaTechnology.
Ensuring data quality, accessibility and trust
For data to drive real change it must be accurate, reliable and accessible. Quality assurance processes are critical, as is the need for real-time or near-real-time data to respond to rapidly evolving environmental threats. Yet, challenges remain: data is often fragmented, access can be limited and there is a pressing need for capacity-building so local stakeholders can interpret and use data effectively.
"Quality-checked data that is accurate and reliable is fundamental for scientific research and evidence-based policy-making." – Dr Stuart Minchin, Director-General Pacific Community (SPC)
Open data initiatives, such as making satellite imagery freely available, have been game changers, lowering barriers for Pacific nations to participate in global sustainability efforts. These efforts are complemented by frameworks and tools that standardise and interpret complex indicators like biodiversity, moving beyond simplistic metrics to reflect the true state of ecosystems.
The path forward: Integration, Innovation and Collaboration
Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, and advanced modeling will further enhance the ability of Pacific nations to anticipate and respond to environmental risks. However, success depends on continued collaboration between governments, industry, and communities, as well as sustained investment in fundamental data collection and operational services.
Ultimately, the role of SPC and robust data systems is not just technical: it is foundational for building resilience, attracting investment, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Pacific’s people and environments. By transforming data into knowledge and action, the region can chart a more secure and sustainable future in the face of unprecedented challenges.
For SPC, the Pacific Tech Village at VivaTech 2025 delivered high strategic value by amplifying Pacific innovation on a global stage and directly supporting member Countries and Territories ambitions for sustainable economic development through technology. It provided a powerful platform to showcase the region’s entrepreneurial talent, fostered valuable connections with international investors and tech partners and highlighted the diversity and creativity emerging from our islands. For and with our members this initiative reinforced regional solidarity, opened new pathways for innovation-led growth and demonstrated SPC's commitment to enabling inclusive, future-focused development across the Pacific.
