India, 22nd June 2026: At VivaTech Paris 2026, Europe’s largest technology and startup summit, one of India’s most striking startup moments came not from a seasoned founder, but from a 12-year-old student from Delhi.
Aanya Aggarwal, daughter of Unstop Founder and CEO Ankit Aggarwal and a Class 8 student at DPS Vasant Kunj, presented her father’s startup, Unstop, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during their visit to the India Pavilion in Paris.
Unstop, an AI-powered talent discovery and engagement platform, is among the select Indian companies participating at VivaTech Paris 2026. The summit has brought together global founders, technology leaders, investors, and policymakers, with leading Indian businesses showcasing the country’s innovation, entrepreneurial talent, and global ambitions on an international stage.
Aanya’s presentation stood out for more than just her age. In a distinctive move aimed at connecting with the local audience, she presented Unstop in French, helping communicate the platform’s mission in the language of the host country and making its vision more accessible to international attendees.
Her VivaTech journey began on Day 1, when she pitched Unstop to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Her clarity, confidence, and understanding of the platform earned appreciation from the Minister, making her one of the youngest and most memorable voices representing an Indian business at the global technology summit.
The moment became even bigger on Day 2, when Aanya presented Unstop to PM Modi and President Macron. At just 12, she took an Indian startup story from a founder-led business showcase to a rare human-interest moment involving two world leaders.
President Macron was especially appreciative of Aanya’s fluency, accuracy, and command over the French language. Her ability to articulate Unstop’s purpose in French made the interaction more personal and impactful, allowing the platform’s mission to resonate beyond a standard business presentation. The moment also reflected the change Unstop aims to drive: making opportunity, confidence, and access more visible for young talent on global platforms.
Speaking about the experience, Ankit Aggarwal said, “Watching Aanya present Unstop with such confidence on a global stage was an incredibly proud moment for me, both as a father and as a founder. What made it even more special was her ability to communicate our vision in French and connect with people from a different culture. At 12, she has shown that curiosity, confidence, and the willingness to step forward can transcend age.”
Aanya’s story reflects a new kind of Indian startup narrative. At a summit focused on AI, talent, and the future of work, a young student became one of the most unexpected faces of India’s innovation story. From a Delhi classroom to a global technology stage in Paris, her moment shows how young Indians are not just watching the future of technology unfold but are already learning to represent it.
About Unstop
Unstop is India’s largest early talent community engagement and hiring platform, connecting around 30 million students and early professionals with 35,000+ employers across domains. Incorporated in 2019, Unstop enables democratised access to opportunities through competitions, hackathons, assessments, learning programs, internships, and jobs. With 200,000+ engagements and 25 million+ assessments completed, Unstop powers programmes such as Flipkart GRiD, Amazon ACE, HUL L.I.M.E., Tata Imagination Challenge, EY Techathon, and more.
Website: https://unstop.com/employers
About VivaTech
VivaTech, also known as VivaTechnology, is one of the world’s largest technology and innovation summits, held annually in Paris, France. It brings together global founders, startup founders, technology leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators to showcase breakthrough technologies, emerging startups, and cutting-edge solutions.
In 2026, VivaTech marks its 10th anniversary, featuring core themes such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, health tech, sustainability, and digital transformation. The event serves as a key global stage for collaboration, investment, and cross-border innovation, with India participating prominently and its leading startups presenting on an international platform.
Website: https://unstop.com/employers
