We’re proud to share that our Wisconsin School of Business Real Estate MS team — Ty Slagle, Neil Patel, Gretchen Webb, and Max Culbertson — took 1st place at the 2025 **Berkadia—NYU Stern School of Business National Multifamily Investment Competition!
Competing against top MBA and MS programs nationwide, the team impressed judges with a sharp, data-driven investment strategy in the Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector. Their proposal outlined a $200M equity fund ($567M AUM) targeting high-growth Midwest markets — Columbus, Indianapolis, and Kansas City — with plans to deliver 1,800 homes across two phases over seven years and projected IRRs of 15–17%.
Key investment criteria included:
- Top-rated school districts
- Amenities designed for families and seniors
- Low supply pipelines and no rent control
- Large land availability
- Strong rent growth, job growth, and in-migration trends
The team’s preparation was both thorough and innovative. They consulted with five alumni currently working in BTR, leveraged AI tools for market research, and developed a risk-mitigated investment thesis that connects academic training with real-world impact.
This competition served as an invaluable capstone experience—bridging theory and application while preparing our students to contribute to solutions for America’s critical housing shortage.
A heartfelt thank you to Berkadia, NYU Stern School of Business, and Sam Chandan, PhD, for hosting an exceptional competition. And special thanks to Arif Qureshi, Faculty Case Competition Leader, for his dedicated support of Wisconsin Real Estate students nationwide.
On, Wisconsin!