Building on a successful launch in 2023, ULI Europe's Young Leaders return with the PropTech Innovation Challenge (PIC), focusing on finding ingenious solutions to drastically cut carbon emissions in the built environment.
The challenge aligns with ULI's core mission and the pressing need for decarbonization. It targets Scope 3 emissions, the often-ignored yet significant indirect emissions that occur across a project's lifecycle, including transportation and material sourcing.
ULI Europe is seeking groundbreaking ideas that can be implemented and make a real difference on a regional level. The focus is on innovation, be it high-tech gadgets, clever software, or completely new business models. To make sure these solutions are impactful, they should address one of the key areas identified by ULI experts, including retrofitting at scale, operational circularity, gamification to strengthen stakeholder collaboration, ESG platforms integration, and sustainable materials.
The Challenge is open to innovators in European markets including Germany, Switzerland, France, the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Iberia (Portugal, Spain), CEE (Poland & Czech Republic), and the UK and Ireland.
Lisette van Doorn, CEO, ULI Europe commented: ‘Real estate is responsible for a massive 37% of global carbon emissions, and it is paramount that the industry urgently unites in response to this significant challenge, coordinating and collaborating to pursue best practical solutions.’
The PIC leads are Thibault Weston-Smith, co-founder, Crayon Partners; Susse Schaumann, investment analyst, NREP; and Simon Abboud, programme director, Hines Europe.
Entrants will initially compete across seven regional competitions held across Europe in Germany, Nordics, Iberia, France, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK and Ireland.
Entrants will submit their applications for review in their respective regions and the shortlisted finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas to a national ULI jury panel. The jury will evaluate each product based on its potential impact, innovation, and marketability.
All winning entries from the national rounds will be eligible to compete in the pan-European phase. The public will get a chance to choose their favourite innovation among the national winners. In October, a final round will be held where the top contenders will present their ideas. The overall winner will be revealed at the prestigious C Change Summit.
