MIPIM has launched its second MIPIM Challengers initiative, encouraging built environment professionals aged 30 and under to “bring fresh ideas and new perspectives” to the industry.
Sixteen challengers, selected through an essay contest, will be invited to present their ideas to real estate leaders at MIPIM 2025, which takes place on 11-14 March in Cannes, France.
To apply for the MIPIM Challengers programme, candidates are required to submit a 600-word essay in English, addressing the question: ‘What is one disruptive idea or experiment in your field (e.g., architecture, construction, real estate, urban planning) that could significantly improve urbanisation but has been overlooked?’
A panel of real estate experts will select 16 essays that exhibit: clear understanding of the urbanisation problem, originality, global perspective, critical thinking, and references supporting the argument (e.g. quotes from open sources or industry experts).
To qualify for the Challengers initiative, participants must be employed in the built environment sector, be under the age of 31 as of 30 March 2025, and have not attended MIPIM in the last three years.
Nicolas Kozubek, MIPIM director, said: “Our first 2024 Challengers programme highlighted just how vital young voices are for bringing diversity and fresh perspectives to the real estate conversation. MIPIM Challengers is back in 2025 to empower young disruptors with bold ideas in architecture, construction, urban planning, and beyond—ideas that could reshape urbanisation but have been overlooked for too long. I’m thrilled to connect these rising stars with global property leaders at MIPIM, offering them a chance to learn from top political figures, investors, and industry experts.”
The first MIPIM Challengers initiative was introduced in 2023 and attracted more than 150 submissions from 20 countries including Mauritius, South Africa and USA.
