Siemens at VivaTech 2026: Xcelerator Revenue Outlook, Startup Program Expansion, and Arts et Métiers Partnership

Siemens announced it is opening its industrial software portfolio to European startups . Early-stage companies will gain access to advanced automation, simulation, and digital twin tools that were traditionally reserved for large manufacturers. The goal is to accelerate the commercialization of new industrial technologies across Europe .

In his VivaTech keynote, Siemens CEO Roland Busch revealed that the company is offering up to a 95% discount for startups on three software collections covering design, engineering, and simulation . The program has been running in the United States since January 2025 and is now expanding to Europe . French startup Latitude was highlighted as an early example of a company using the tools to scale its operations .

3. Strategic Partnership with Arts et Métiers

Siemens and Arts et Métiers (École nationale supérieure d'arts et métiers, or ENSAM), one of France's oldest and most prestigious engineering schools, signed a comprehensive strategic partnership . The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of industrial digital technologies, strengthen business competitiveness, and train engineers capable of designing, managing, and transforming 21st-century industrial systems .

A key element is the creation of a Smart Manufacturing Hub on the Paris campus of Arts et Métiers, serving as a showcase for Siemens' latest innovations in industrial digitalization . Siemens will also support the school's "Evolutive Learning Factories" (ELF) project . Arts et Métiers ran its own incubator stand at VivaTech featuring a slate of startup pitches from companies like Exwayz, Whisper, Zozio, Nobsolete, and others .

Broader Context: Record Financials and Raised Guidance

These announcements did not come from a company in a defensive crouch. Siemens just completed a record fiscal 2025 and has raised its outlook for the current year.

Fiscal 2025: A Record Year

Siemens reported revenue of €78.9 billion (+5% comparable), orders of €88.4 billion (+6%), net income up 16% to €10.4 billion, and free cash flow of €10.8 billion . The company's order backlog stood at €117 billion, with Mobility as a standout at €52 billion .

Fiscal 2026: Raised Guidance After Strong Start

• Q1 2026: Orders grew 10% comparable to €21.4 billion; Siemens raised its full-year outlook .
• Q2 2026: Overall revenue up 6%, driven by Digital Industries and Smart Infrastructure segments .

Siemens now expects comparable group revenue growth of 6–8% (the upper half of its prior range) and EPS pre-PPA of €10.70–€11.10 (up from €10.40–€11.00) .

Segment Guidance for FY 2026

What Is Driving Growth?

Siemens' current momentum is not accidental. The company has been executing a deliberate transformation under its "ONE Tech Company" program, which includes sharpening its technology portfolio and the planned spin-off of Siemens Healthineers .

Three specific growth drivers stand out:

• AI and data center demand, particularly in the United States, was cited as a primary catalyst for the raised outlook . Siemens CFO Ralf Thomas said the company expects to reach the upper half of its revenue growth guidance due to this boom .
• Digital business momentum: Siemens' digital revenue reached approximately €9 billion with a 14% CAGR from FY20–24, and the company targets doubling that by 2030 .
• Strong book-to-bill ratio >1 across industrial segments, indicating a healthy order pipeline .

Bottom Line

Siemens used VivaTech 2026 as a stage to reinforce a consistent narrative: it is a platform company, not just a hardware manufacturer. The Xcelerator revenue doubling, the startup software initiative (with up to 95% discounts), and the Arts et Métiers partnership all serve a strategy of widening the funnel — bringing more developers, startups, and engineers into the Siemens ecosystem. With record cash flow, raised guidance, and AI-driven tailwinds, the company is positioned to fund these bets. The question now is whether the ecosystem strategy can convert access into sustained platform revenue.