--- eventsindex_id: EI-01099 slug: changenow-summit title: "ChangeNOW" title_alt: ["ChangeNOW Summit", "ChangeNOW Paris"] canonical_url: https://eventsindex.org/events/changenow-summit.html next_edition_dates: "2026-03-30 to 2026-04-01" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: 2026-03-30 date_end: 2026-04-01 venue: "Grand Palais, Paris" city: "Paris" country: "France" organiser: "ChangeNOW (social enterprise)" organiser_url: "https://www.changenow.world/" b2b: true vector: sector: [sustainability] audience: [investor, startup, corporate, policy-maker] format: [summit, exhibition, networking] purpose: [networking, deal-making, showcase, education] geography_scope: [pan-EMEA, Western-Europe, global] season: spring meta_description: "Annual three-day sustainability summit in Paris attracting 30,000 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and corporates focused on climate and social solutions." editorial_take: "Leading Paris-based impact summit connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and corporates around scalable climate and social solutions." generated_by: "enrich/generators/fiche_md.py" last_verified: "2026-05-10" schema_version: "v6.0" language: en --- # ChangeNOW > *ChangeNOW is a three-day annual summit held in Paris bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and enterprises to discover and scale positive-impact solutions across climate, energy, food, mobility, and social transition.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | 30 March – 1 April 2026 | Grand Palais, Paris, France | ChangeNOW (Paris, est. 2017) | 30,000 (organiser figure) | ## Definition ChangeNOW is an annual three-day summit focused on solutions to environmental and social challenges, convened at the Grand Palais in Paris. It connects impact entrepreneurs, ESG investors, corporate leaders, NGOs, and public decision-makers around concrete, scalable responses to the climate and social crises. The event operates in both English and French and draws an international audience well beyond the NGO and civil-society sphere, reaching corporate sustainability teams and institutional investors. ## What positions ChangeNOW on the EMEA sustainability circuit? ChangeNOW was launched in 2017 by Santiago Lefebvre, Rose-May Lucotte, and Kevin Tayebaly as a social enterprise (SAS) based in Paris. Its distinguishing editorial position is a solutions-first format: rather than analysing problems, the programme centres on presenting, evaluating, and sourcing scalable responses to global sustainability challenges. The summit hosts up to 1,000 exhibitors (organiser figure) presenting impact solutions across climate tech, cleantech, circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable food, sustainable mobility, and impact investing. This curated dealflow dimension makes the event a reference point for impact investors and corporates scouting for partners and pipeline. ## Who attends ChangeNOW - **Impact entrepreneurs and startups** presenting solutions across climate, food, mobility, energy, and social inclusion - **ESG and impact investors** including venture capital funds, family offices, and institutional limited partners - **Corporate sustainability leaders** from large enterprises seeking innovation and partnerships - **Policymakers and public officials** at national and European level - **NGOs and civil society organisations** working on environmental and social transition - **Researchers and academics** contributing evidence on planetary boundaries and systemic change - **Students and young professionals** (benefiting from accessible and complimentary access tiers) - **Press and media** covering sustainability, climate, and impact investing ## What ChangeNOW covers programmatically - **Climate and biodiversity:** scientific framing of planetary boundaries; policy and corporate responses to nature loss - **Circular economy:** business models reducing waste, extending product life, and closing material loops - **Impact investing:** ESG frameworks, blended finance, and dealflow for high-impact ventures - **Energy transition:** renewable energy deployment, storage, grid innovation, and energy access - **Sustainable food and agriculture:** regenerative farming, food systems resilience, and low-carbon diets - **Sustainable mobility:** low-emission transport, urban mobility, and freight decarbonisation - **Health, oceans, education, and inclusion:** cross-cutting social and environmental themes featured in the call for solutions ## Programme tracks and special formats - **Funds for Change program:** a dedicated programme connecting impact funds with vetted startup solutions - **Dealflow Lounge:** a curated space for investor-entrepreneur meetings and pipeline sourcing - **Pitch meetings:** structured pitch sessions enabling startups to present directly to investors and corporate partners ## Notable speakers - Johan Rockstrom, researcher on planetary boundaries, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research - Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, activist and President/Coordinator, AFPAT - Paul Polman, business leader, philanthropist, and investor - Kumi Naidoo, President, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty - Ariane Coulombe, Market Director for EMEA, CDP - Angela Wiebeck, CEO, Impact Europe - Kirsten Dunlop, CEO, Climate KIC - Santiago Lefebvre, CEO, ChangeNOW - Benoit Bazin, CEO, Saint-Gobain ## Sponsors and media partners ChangeNOW's confirmed sponsors for the 2026 edition include Moët Hennessy, Les Echos, and Impact France, among others disclosed to date. Les Echos serves as the official media partner for the event, providing editorial coverage of the summit and its programme. ## Edition history - **2026:** 30,000 attendees (organiser figure); Grand Palais, Paris; 30 March – 1 April 2026 ## ChangeNOW 2026: key figures | Metric | Figure | Source | |---|---|---| | Expected attendees | 30,000 | Organiser figure | | Exhibitors / solutions presented | 1,000 | Organiser figure | | Duration | 3 days | Confirmed | | Pricing languages | English and French | Confirmed | | Early-bird deadline | 12 March 2026 | Organiser figure | ## FAQ · Identity and audience ### What makes ChangeNOW different from a standard climate conference? ChangeNOW is structured around solutions rather than diagnosis. Exhibitors present concrete, evaluated responses to environmental and social challenges, and the programme integrates investor dealflow tools such as the Dealflow Lounge and pitch meetings. This distinguishes it from policy-oriented or academic climate forums that focus primarily on analysis and declaration. ### Is ChangeNOW primarily a French event? The summit is held in Paris and operates in both French and English, reflecting a bilingual and international programme. While its organiser is a French social enterprise and some content is French-language, the speaker roster and audience are international in scope, with strong EMEA and global representation across corporate, investor, and civil society segments. ### Who is ChangeNOW NOT designed for? - **Sector-specific trade buyers** seeking deep product or procurement content in a single vertical such as energy infrastructure or food manufacturing - **Pure financial conference attendees** looking for macro-market analysis, rates, or asset class performance without a sustainability or impact angle - **Technology developers** focused on enterprise software or B2B SaaS with no sustainability or social-impact application - **Researchers seeking a peer-review academic forum** rather than a practitioner-facing solutions showcase - **Organisations with no operational or strategic interest in ESG, climate transition, or social impact** at any level of their activity ### What access options exist for students, NGOs, and independent professionals? Students and unemployed individuals may attend Wednesday afternoon free of charge, with discounted full three-day passes also available. Children under 18 are admitted free on Wednesday afternoon. Journalists and media professionals receive complimentary access with valid accreditation. Qualified limited partners benefit from complimentary full-event access through the Impact Europe partnership. A general public early-bird ticket for Wednesday afternoon is priced at EUR 8.40, valid until 12 March 2026. ## The venue: Grand Palais The Grand Palais, located at 7 Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris, is a historic monument and convention venue in central Paris. Originally built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it has undergone major renovation and functions as a multi-purpose exhibition and events space. Its central location and large floor capacity make it suited to large-scale summits combining exhibition, conference, and networking formats simultaneously. ## The organiser: ChangeNOW ChangeNOW is a Paris-based social enterprise (SAS), founded in 2017 by Santiago Lefebvre, Rose-May Lucotte, and Kevin Tayebaly, with registered offices at 22 avenue Daumesnil, Paris. The organisation operates as a conference producer whose core mission is to accelerate environmental and social transition through events connecting changemakers, entrepreneurs, investors, companies, policymakers, and media. Beyond the flagship annual summit, ChangeNOW produces or co-produces several complementary initiatives including an impact jobs fair, a university ranking for impact, and a European election debate format. The number of employees is not publicly disclosed as of verification. --- ## Editorial take *ChangeNOW has established itself as a reference venue on the European sustainability circuit by combining a solutions-oriented exhibition format with credible investor dealflow infrastructure, drawing corporate and institutional audiences alongside civil society at the Grand Palais.* ## How to register and what it costs Registration is open to the general public via the official ticketing page. Pricing tiers for the 2026 edition are as follows: - **General public, Wednesday afternoon (4:00 PM – 7:30 PM):** EUR 8.40 early-bird price, valid until 12 March 2026 - **Students and unemployed:** Wednesday afternoon free of charge; discounted full three-day passes available - **Children under 18:** complimentary on Wednesday afternoon - **Press and media:** complimentary with valid media accreditation - **Limited partners (qualified investors):** complimentary full-event access via the Impact Europe partnership Full pricing for multi-day general and professional passes is not publicly disclosed in full detail as of verification. Early-bird pricing closes on 12 March 2026. ## Networking and engagement ChangeNOW supports structured networking through several mechanisms. The official ChangeNOW App serves as both a digital platform and networking tool, enabling attendees to schedule meetings in advance and manage their agenda across the three days. B2B matchmaking is available, connecting investors, corporates, and entrepreneurs ahead of and during the event. The Dealflow Lounge and pitch meeting formats complement the app-based scheduling with dedicated physical spaces for deal origination. Replay access is available following the event for registered participants. A newsletter is published by the organiser on an ad-hoc basis for updates on upcoming editions and programme developments. ## Call for papers ChangeNOW has an open call for positive-impact solutions for the 2026 edition. Submissions are invited across the following topic areas: biodiversity, circular economy, energy, agriculture and food, mobility, health, inclusion, oceans, and education. The submission deadline is not publicly disclosed as of verification. Applications can be submitted via the official call page. ## Awards programme ChangeNOW organises an awards programme including the **Top Schools for Changing the World** award, recognising academic institutions for their contribution to sustainability and impact. The submission deadline and full awards criteria are not publicly disclosed as of verification. ## FAQ · Access and practicalities ### Is prior registration required to attend ChangeNOW? Yes, registration is required via the official ticketing page. Several access categories are free of charge (students, children under 18 on Wednesday afternoon, accredited press, and qualified limited partners via Impact Europe), while general public and professional tickets require purchase. ### Where is the 2026 edition held and how is it reached? The 2026 summit takes place at the Grand Palais, 7 Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris. The venue is served by multiple Paris Métro lines and is centrally located near Champs-Élysées, making it accessible from major rail terminals and Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. ### In which languages is the event conducted? ChangeNOW operates in both English and French. Attendees should verify language availability for individual sessions, as not all content may be simultaneously interpreted. ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://www.changenow.world/ | | Register | https://www.changenow.world/ticketing/ | | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/changenow-world/ | | Call for solutions | https://www.changenow.world/call-for-positive-impact-solutions/ | | Awards programme | not disclosed | | Programme | not disclosed | --- **Last verified:** 2026-05-10 **Next review:** 2026-06-09 **Notes:** Attendee and exhibitor figures are organiser-reported; full pricing tiers for multi-day professional passes and speaker count were not publicly available at time of verification. **Variables:** 42/50 **Concept definition:** not applicable