Following last year’s theme of ‘Digital Revolution,’ MIPIM 2016 boosted its focus on innovation in real estate by launching the first Startup Competition devoted to real estate tech, sponsored by BNP Paribas Real Estate.
“We received over 160 submissions from 30 countries, reflecting the importance of startups to the real estate industry,” said competition host Caroline Pandraud, Project Director of Fabernovel.
Selection rounds took place last year at MIPIM UK in London and MIPIM Asia in Hong Kong, with the last two MIPIM Startup Competition finalists being chosen in Cannes.
Paris-based logistics disruptor Urbismart scored a double whammy, winning both the competition and the MIPIM delegates’ Coup de Coeur vote. Urbismart CEO Jean Paul Rival pitched his company as a game-changer, saying it would revolutionise the supply chain by better organising home and business deliveries. “By changing the way we enter the city, we can change the shape of the city for tomorrow,” he said.
He also pitched for funding for his “one truck in one street” business. “We have the software and we have the team, we just need the gas to run the engine,” Rival said.
Laurent Pavillon, Global Head of Business Marketing and Communications at sponsor BNP Paribas Real Estate, said the competition reflects the importance of technology in the development of residential and commercial property.
“We became involved because, as a company that views maintaining leadership as crucial, we see technological innovation as key to the challenges the real estate industry is facing,” Pavillon said. “MIPIM is a leader in the industry and it is the perfect platform to encourage and recognise such solutions.”
This is the latest in a series of posts resuming the highlights of MIPIM 2016. More soon!
