Shaka Biarritz 2025: The tech festival created by alumni Damien and Franck Dupont (ESILV 2012_2015)

When two former ESILV students decide to revolutionize the world of tech, the result is SHAKA Biarritz!

Co-founded and co-organized by brothers Damien and Franck Dupont, the festival returns from August 25 to 27, 2025, at Le Connecteur in Biarritz for three days of total immersion.

When Tech meets the Basque Coast

Here, innovation isn't just something you look at, it's something you experience, touch, test, and share. AI, Web3, blockchain, crypto... it's all here, in a setting that's 100% inspiring and 100% fun, where technology is both experienced and celebrated.

Damien Dupont, a former ESILV student (class of 2012) turned entrepreneur, runs OpenGem, a company specializing in securing digital property, particularly NFTs. His passion for Web3 and digital innovation led him to create a festival that allows everyone to discover and experiment with the technologies of tomorrow in a setting that is both fun and educational.

Franck Dupont, CTO of nüme, is also a former student who has made a name for himself in the world of digital innovation (double degree from ESILV-EMLV, class of 2017). An expert in high-definition 2D/3D imaging, he brings a unique visual and immersive dimension to the festival, transforming conferences and workshops into truly interactive experiences.

Together, they are launching the 2021 project, whose name echoes the famous hand sign used by surfers, a symbol of sharing and good energy.

The festival embodies the Duponts' vision: learning while having fun, experimenting while being inspired, and creating opportunities for participants from all walks of life. With the support of their partners Crypto.com, Allianz Accelerator, La French Touch, Crédit Agricole Pyrénées Gascogne, and others, they offer a unique platform for discovery, exchange, and innovation, cementing the festival's reputation as a must-attend event in the Southwest and beyond!

Highlights of the 2025 edition

2,000 visitors expected, 80 speakers, more than a hundred companies represented... Ask for the program! Exclusive masterclasses and panels will welcome international experts to share the best of AI, Web3, and cryptos. 

Gaspard Broustine, representative of LEDGER, will explain how to secure your crypto assets and avoid scams or hacks, sharing his expertise on the main threats to the security of digital assets. Lucie-Éléonore Riveron, from NFT Factory, will present the opportunities offered by NFTs and show how to integrate them into innovative projects, while Patrice Masini, an expert in digital transformation, will discuss the implications of Web3 and ask whether this technology constitutes a real revolution or a simple evolution.

Participants will also be able to discover the impact of NFTs on art and culture with Camille Mathis, a specialist in digital art, who will explore how these technologies are transforming the world of artistic creation, and understand the economic challenges of cryptocurrencies thanks to Florent Gabriel, a specialist economist, who will analyze their effects on global markets.

At the same time, practical workshops will enable everyone to put theory into practice. Participants will learn how to create an NFT in just 20 minutes, generate a unique work of art using artificial intelligence, or develop their own personalized digital assistant using the latest technologies.

Startups will present their innovations, and the winner will get to pitch at CES Las Vegas 2026!

And what about fun? Surfing, yoga, padel, and beach parties will combine learning and relaxation in a unique cocktail.

When SHAKA changes the game

Memorable moments call for memorable testimonials:

“Our company was born thanks to you”. SHAKA recounts: Julien Daubert and Quentin Hopp didn’t really know each other before Shaka. During the event, they bonded over a shared passion: tech, blockchain, and mining. Between talks, a discussion in an Airbnb... and ForMining Space was born. Because we want Shaka to be a connector, a catalyst, a place where ideas become reality. (source LinkedIn)

SHAKA Biarritz is clearly underrated. I had heard about an event dedicated solely to digital monkeys, but instead I discovered a memorable, ultra-comprehensive event where I had the privilege of being invited to talk about Bitcoin mining, but that's not all! (Florent Gabriel - source shaka.events)

Compared to many conferences in Web3 & AI, SHAKA Biarritz stands out by providing participants with numerous workshop opportunities alongside conferences and parties. No blah blah blah, hands-on experiences are king! (PyratzLabs - source shaka.events)

Discover the mood: