Future real estate leaders shine at Cornell’s international case competition

After five days of intense research, all-nighters, and heated discussions, Yudai Higuchi '25 and his five teammates took the stage at the Cornell PropConnex International Real Estate Case Competition on November 15 at @Ease 605 Hospitality in New York City. Facing a panel of judges, the team launched into their investment proposal.

"These judges are very high up in their firms, and they were willing to listen to our presentations, ask serious questions, and network," said Higuchi, president of the Cornell Real Estate Club. "I think that was really exciting for all of us."

That's one reason Daniel Quan, Robert C. Baker Professor in Real Estate at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, started the competition 16 years ago. He wanted to give students at Cornell and around the world the chance to show off their talent to industry leaders, including Cornell alumni. Now, the invite-only competition, hosted by the Center for Real Estate and Finance, is the largest of its kind, drawing more than 120 undergraduate entrants and their faculty advisors worldwide. Many students come from colleges that offer entire courses preparing students for the event, and some earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the Cornell finals after winning a regional qualifier.

Read the full story on the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business website.

Alison Fromme is a writer for the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.