The French-Icelandic Chamber of Commerce (French section) took an active part in MIPIM 2026 in Cannes (mipim.com), as a direct continuation of the letter of intent signed in 2025 between the Sophia Antipolis Foundation (FSA) and Reykjavik Science City (RSC), and at the request of Business Iceland.
On 9 March, during the fair, an Icelandic delegation led by Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, Mayor of Reykjavik, accompanied by Robert Marshall, the Mayor’s political adviser, and Harpa Þorsteinsdóttir, Chief Architect of the City of Reykjavik, was welcomed at the Sophia Antipolis technology park. The delegation visited the brand-new Pôle Alpha building, which since early 2026 has housed the House of Artificial Intelligence (MIA), a venue unique in France and Europe, dedicated not to awarding degrees but to raising awareness, building familiarity and providing mediation around AI for the general public, schools, professionals and businesses. Led by the Alpes-Maritimes Department (SMART Deal programme), in partnership with the Sophia Antipolis Agglomeration Community, the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur and Université Côte d’Azur, MIA carries a vision of “ethical and responsible AI, caring, for Humanity”. The visit took place in the presence of the management of the technology park and of MIA, and of Sylvain Rouget, and was organised by the CC FRIS, represented by its President Patrick Sigurdsson and Jacques Cardaillac.
This step marks the first operational achievement of the rapprochement between FSA and RSC launched at the previous MIPIM.
The CC FRIS held numerous meetings on the Business Iceland stand, bringing together French developers, international brokers and family offices to present the Icelandic real estate market, taxation, opportunities and its future residential megaprojects (Keldur, K64, etc.), leading to the signing of several non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
A further highlight was taking part in the investor day organised with the Nordic countries, with a presentation of the Icelandic market by Magnús A. Skúlason (Reconomics).
The long-term objective remains unchanged, based on the three pillars set out in 2025:
- Collaborate on the exchange of technical and scientific skills
- Finance start-ups
- Ensure the scale-up of innovative companies
These exchanges are also part of the dynamic of the MBA exchange programme between Iceland and a French business school, currently being structured.
Business Iceland stand, with the delegation from the City of Reykjavik. Visit to Pôle Alpha / MIA, Sophia Antipolis