16 MIPIM Challengers will come to Cannes with bold, disruptive ideas to shape the future of real estate
MIPIM, the global urban festival, has selected its second-ever cohort of 16 young, visionary built environment professionals, aged 30 and under, who will attend MIPIM 2025 in Cannes to participate in the full event programme and present innovative solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges.
The new team of MIPIM Challengers was selected based on a short essay 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?”
Over 100 essays were submitted, predominantly from Europe, North America, Africa. The final cohort includes entries from Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and the UK.
Essays were judged on their originality, understanding, critical thinking, and global perspective by a jury panel comprised of Hala El Akl, Oxford Properties, Muyiwa Oki, RIBA, Helena Olin, AP2, and Veronica Gallo-Alvarez, Redevco.
This year, Adina David, founder of Ladies in Real Estate, one of the largest international networks for women in the industry, has become a patron for 2025 Challengers cohort.

At MIPIM, the Challengers will take part in a full programme of events, talks and panels, and networking. Following a coaching session hosted by UNESCO Ambassador Guila Clara Kessous, they will pitch the best ideas to an expert panel of senior real estate leaders.
The 16 MIPIM Challengers are:
- Rebecca Rayner, Graduate Planner at Savills
- Gafar Fashola, Assistant Development Manager at Related Argent
- Maximilian Schmidt, Consultant Industrial Agency at Jones Lang LaSalle SE
- Kali Dennett, Account Director at Cartwright Communications
- Camille Zell, Associate at Jeantet
- Sofia Wilson, Project Consultant at ODGroup
- Ioana Orzea, Investment Analyst at Mitiska REIM
- Tom Sells, Audit Senior at EY
- Leonie Müller-Judex, PhD Student at University of Regensburg
- Justine Noulin, Project Manager at PCA-STREAM
- Bijou D’Arcy Louis Dunn, Associate at Shoosmiths LLP
- Kate Tinker, EMEA Graduate Surveyor at Colliers International
- Rebecca Peek, Assistant Relationship Manager at Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd
- Charlotte Leach, Graduate Planner at Avison Young
- Betsy Brady, Chartered Surveyor at Knight Frank LLP
- Cléos Paris, Consultant – Tenant Representation at Colliers France
Nicolas Kozubek, MIPIM Director, said:
“It has been truly inspiring to read so many entries offering fresh perspectives on the topics of feminist urbanism, sponge cities, the relocation of diverse communities, and many others.
The MIPIM Challengers initiative serves as a dynamic platform to empower young disruptors with bold ideas in architecture, construction, investment, urban planning, and beyond, amplifying their young and diverse voices.
I am thrilled to introduce this second cohort of rising stars to global property leaders at MIPIM, providing them with opportunities to learn from top political figures, investors, and industry experts.
The first MIPIM Challengers programme provided a platform for dynamic young voices to share their innovative ideas and excel in their careers, with MIPIM continuing to support their journeys. I’m excited to connect the new generation of Challengers with the previous cohort, fostering a thriving community of young leaders.”
MIPIM, the global urban festival, gathers the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry in Cannes every March. MIPIM 2025 promises to build upon the huge success of the 2024 edition, which attracted over 20,000 delegates representing 90 countries, including 70% of the world’s top 100 investment managers, managing over €4 trillion of assets.
MIPIM will provide delegate passes and accommodation for all selected Challengers. Participants are required to attend a series of informative webinars scheduled between January and March. Each webinar, lasting between 30 to 45 minutes, will provide crucial insights, key information, and relevant content to empower and prepare our Challengers for their impactful journey at MIPIM.
MIPIM 2025 will take place on 10-14 March 2025 in Cannes, France.
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.
RX France creates high level, world-class and market leader meeting places, covering 15 industry sectors, including MIPIM, MAPIC, Batimat, Pollutec, EquipHotel, SITL, IFTM, Big Data & AI Paris, MIPCOM, Paris Photo, Maison&Objet*… and many more. RX France’s events take place in France, Hong Kong, Italy and Mexico.
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.