URECC
2027
University of Guelph
UNDERGRADUATE rEAL eSTATE cASE cOMPETITION
Delegate Registration
PENDING
About URECC
The University of Guelph’s Undergraduate Real Estate Case Competition (URECC) is a student led organization that began in 2015.
The competition is designed to challenge undergraduate students to collaborate with their team and prepare a full-scale development proposal on a site selected in Toronto/GTA.
URECC 2026 Winners
Northern Developments - University of Guelph
The Real Challenge
Delegates are challenged to create an analysis that considers all aspects of development feasibility including market analysis, sustainability, physical constraints, financial viability and government regulation. Students will then proceed with a recommendation to the judges based on their analysis.
URECC provides students with a pragmatic learning opportunity not offered in the classroom. The case requirements challenge students to think beyond a theoretical perspective by providing an informed recommendation based on the research conducted and analysis completed. The case is released in February and students are given exactly one (1) month to complete their development and pitch amongst the turmoil of day-to-day academics in their semester.
Timeline
Delegate Information Packages Sent
October
2026
November
2026
Registration Begins
Registration Closes
Presentations, Case Competition Event & Conference
December 2026
February 2027
March
2027
Case Released
Sponsors Announced
Delegates
URECC attracts students from across Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia representing their respective Business Schools or Real Estate Clubs. Our previous participants have included students from:
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British Columbia Institute of Technology
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Concordia University (John Molson School of Business)
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Cornell University (SC Johnson College of Business)
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Dalhousie University (Rowe School of Business)
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Ohio State University (Fisher College of Business)
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Queen’s University (Smith School of Business)
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Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
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Ryerson University (Ted Rogers School of Management)
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Western University (Ivey School of Business)
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University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business)
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University of Calgary (Haskayne School of Business)
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University of Connecticut (UCONN School of Business)
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University of Guelph (Gordon S. Lang School of Business & Economics)
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University of Pennsylvania (The Wharton School)
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University of Texas-Austin (McCombs School of Business)
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University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management)
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University of Ottawa (Telfer School of Management)
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University of Vermont (Grossman School of Business)
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University of Waterloo (Conrad School of Entrepreneurship & Business)
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University of Wisconsin-Madison (Wisconsin School of Business)
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Wilfrid Laurier University (Lazaridis Business & Economics)
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York University (Schulich School of Business)
Industry
2026 Keynote Speaker
Saurabh Mahajan
Strategy, Innovation & Insights Leader, Deloitte
We were pleased to welcome Saurabh Mahajan, Strategy, Innovation & Insights Leader at Deloitte, as our keynote speaker for the 2026 event. Saurabh shared insights on how artificial intelligence is transforming the real estate industry, exploring emerging technologies, industry trends, and the opportunities and challenges AI presents for the future of real estate. His presentation provided valuable perspectives for both students and professionals in attendance.
2025 Final Judging Panel
Laetitia Pacaud
Chief Operating Officer, epic investments
Laetitia Pacaud is currently the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Epic Investment Services. Epic Investment Services is a fully integrated North American real estate platform providing investment, asset, development, and property management services. With a portfolio valued at over $14 billion and more than 26 million square feet under management across Canada and the United States, Epic works across office, retail, industrial, and multi-family residential properties.
Glenn Way
President, gwl Realty advisors
Glenn Way is the President of GWL Realty Advisors, where he leads the organization’s strategic direction and oversees its diverse real estate portfolio. GWL Realty Advisors is a national real estate investment advisor that manages a diverse portfolio across office, industrial, retail, and residential properties. As of June 30, 2026, GWL Realty Advisors manages approximately $18.3 billion in assets across 237 properties and 51.2 million square feet of real estate.
Richard Warner
Vice President investments, starlight investments
Richard Warner is a Partner at Deloitte Canada’s Strategy, Risk & Transaction practice and a senior leader within the Infrastructure and Capital Projects practice. He advises executives and investment committees on capital allocation, project delivery, and investment decisions across complex infrastructure portfolios, helping clients optimize capital deployment, strengthen governance, and improve business cases. Deloitte is a global professional services firm providing advisory, consulting, audit, and tax services, with its Infrastructure & Real Estate practice supporting clients across the planning, development, delivery, and transformation of major infrastructure and real estate assets.
Shane Cooney
General Manager, GTA land development, mattamy homes
Shane Cooney is the General Manager, GTA Land Development at Mattamy Homes, previously the Senior Vice President of development, overseeing various stages of the development process including assessment, project visioning, scheduling, budgeting, stakeholder and partner relations, government interactions, design, planning, sustainability, engineering, and approvals. Mattamy Homes is North America's largest privately owned residential real estate developer and homebuilder, renowned for crafting vibrant communities and high-quality homes since 1978. Specializing in single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums, Mattamy operates across Canada and the United States with a commitment to innovative design, exceptional craftsmanship, and sustainable building practices.
Dermot Sweeny
President and Founder, Sweeny&co architects
Dermot Sweeny is currently the President and Founder of Sweeny&Co Architects, a leading Canadian architecture, urban design, and development consulting firm. Founded in 1988, Sweeny&Co Architects specializes in architecture, interior design, planning, and development consulting, delivering innovative projects across the commercial, residential, mixed-use, hospitality, and institutional sectors. Based in Toronto, the firm is recognized for its integrated approach to design, sustainability, and city building, creating high-performance environments that contribute to vibrant and resilient communities across Canada.
Gianni Ciufo
Partner, Financial Advisory public sector leader, deloitte
Gianni Ciufo is currently a Partner and Financial Advisory Public Sector Leader at Deloitte Canada. Deloitte is one of the world's leading professional services firms, providing audit, consulting, tax, risk advisory, and financial advisory services to organizations across the public and private sectors. In his role, Gianni leads financial advisory services for government and broader public sector clients, specializing in infrastructure, project finance, public-private partnerships, alternative service delivery models, and capital markets advisory. With extensive experience advising on some of Canada's largest and most complex public sector transactions, he works with governments and public institutions to deliver innovative solutions that support critical infrastructure and long-term economic development.
Max Langridge
Partner, Infrastructure & Real Estate Advisory, deloitte
Max Langridge is currently the Vice President of Investments at Starlight Investments, where he focuses on identifying, evaluating, and executing real estate investment opportunities across the firm's residential portfolio. Starlight Investments is a leading Canadian real estate investment and asset management company with a portfolio spanning residential and commercial properties across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. With expertise in acquisitions, asset management, development, and capital markets, Starlight owns and manages thousands of residential suites and millions of square feet of commercial space, delivering long-term value through a disciplined and diversified investment approach.
2026 Sponsors
Title Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
