Chainels is enhancing PBSA operations by equipping operators with actionable insights to identify students at risk of isolation through engagement signals and wellbeing surveys. AI agents automate tasks such as consolidating maintenance reports, reducing manual workload and improving communication. Founder Erwin Buckers, nominated for Smart Leader of the Year, is advancing a vision of “self-driving” real estate where automation manages routine operations. This approach allows on-site teams to focus on student wellbeing, community building, and creating more supportive student living environments.

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Amy Daniels of PfP Students has been nominated for Smart Leader of the Year for her leadership in transforming the Kx platform into a practical operational tool. After taking ownership without a formal handover, she rapidly developed technical expertise to stabilise and standardise the system. Her work restored critical functions, improved governance, and introduced stakeholder collaboration. Daniels is now driving the platform’s evolution toward data-driven insights and responsible use of emerging technologies to enhance both operational efficiency and the student living experience.

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Nijssen is positioning iqbi to become a leading provider of sustainable building performance data across Europe. His vision focuses on scaling the platform and enhancing its capabilities to deliver reliable utility data for real estate owners and operators. By enabling smarter decision-making, greater transparency, and more efficient asset management, iqbi aims to support more sustainable operations. His leadership highlights how sustainability innovation succeeds when technology is actionable, scalable, and aligned with operational and environmental goals.

The WeChat Mini Programme for Unilife, developed by Concurrent PMS, VivaCity, and Unilife Student Accommodation, is nominated for the Smart Cross-sector Collaboration award. Designed to overcome digital barriers faced by Chinese students, the platform enables a fully native booking journey within WeChat. Students can check availability, sign contracts, and make payments seamlessly. By removing reliance on intermediaries and inaccessible Western systems, the initiative creates a transparent, student-first booking experience while giving operators direct access to key international markets.

Powerhouse is nominated for the Smart Cross-sector Collaboration award for its initiative “Powerhouse – Where Students Meet AI.” By integrating AI into the tenant app, the platform enables residents to resolve queries about WiFi, events, maintenance, and contracts through a conversational interface. The system aims to automate up to 50% of student inquiries, reducing workload for site teams while providing 24/7 support. Long term, Powerhouse seeks to establish scalable AI-driven infrastructure that improves operational efficiency and resident experience.

Utopi, in collaboration with Downing, is nominated for the Smart Cross-sector Collaboration award for using smart heating technology to improve sustainability in PBSA. By installing Smart Thermostatic Radiator Valves across Downing’s portfolio, the initiative enables real-time control and optimization of energy use in all-inclusive rental models. Early results show 20–30% reductions in gas consumption and over £87,000 in cost savings. The partnership demonstrates how data-driven heating systems can improve resident comfort while advancing ESG and energy efficiency goals.

Lodgerin aims to expand its trusted digital support network across the global international mobility landscape. The platform is designed to assist students, families, and universities in real time, extending beyond housing to processes such as immigration, documentation, and health services. By digitising fragmented workflows, Lodgerin increases visibility for universities while reducing administrative burdens. The long-term goal is to establish a new global standard for responsible student housing supported by secure, inclusive, and student-focused technology.

The RELIFE Foundation has developed a social impact model that connects international students with local communities through volunteering and participatory initiatives. Supported by the RELIFE App, students can access projects, register for activities, and engage with local partners. The initiative has delivered 36 social projects, engaging over 70 students and generating more than 1,000 volunteer hours. Looking ahead, RELIFE aims to scale this model globally, embedding social responsibility and community engagement into the core student housing experience.

GoBritanya is nominated for the Smart Social Impact Initiative award for launching The Digital Common Room, a platform designed to reduce loneliness and support student wellbeing. By enabling students to connect before arrival based on shared interests and backgrounds, the initiative eases transition challenges, particularly for international students. Blending digital and physical engagement, it strengthens community participation and peer connections. The long-term vision is to scale this “belonging-as-a-service” model globally, redefining student accommodation as a supportive and inclusive community ecosystem.

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