A collaborative initiative to explore AI in real estate

STUDENT INFO AND APPLICATION

The AI in Real Estate Lab is an applied learning and innovation program that pairs Marquette University students with leading real estate companies to explore and implement artificial intelligence solutions. By combining top companies across real estate with top student talent, with oversight from university professors and experts in AI, we strive to create an unparalleled learning environment where companies make significant advancements in integrating AI into their cultures, while students help consult on and build AI-related initiatives that drive outstanding outcomes in AI investment. But it doesn't stop there - as a university, the lab provides a convening environment where companies - and students - learn from one another, developing a deeper sense of how AI is being used across the real estate landscape, and learning best practices in a collaborative environment.

Mission & Vision

  • Bridging innovation and industry
  • A smarter, more connected real estate ecosystem

This initiative aims to:

  • Equip students with hands-on experience in AI strategy and implementation
  • Help companies identify and test scalable AI use cases
  • Foster a culture of experimentation, reflection, and continuous learning
  • Build a collaborative ecosystem where academia and industry co-create solutions that are both innovative and implementable.

Co-Directors: 

Andy Hunt, Executive Director - Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership

Jeremy Welland, Executive in Residence - Marquette University 

 

Founding Partners

This initiative was launched through the leadership of:

  • Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership – Andy Hunt
  • Cobalt Partners – Scott Yauck
  • MLG Capital – David Binder

Participating Companies - 2026-2027 Cohort

  • Cobalt Partners (Development) – Scott Yauck, Madeline Check
  • MLG Capital (Investment Management) – David Binder, Nathan Groppe
  • CG Schmidt (Construction) – Mark Lillesand, Charlie Haas
  • RINKA (Design/Engineering) – Matt Rinka, Steve Morales, Devan Whitehead
  • Husch Blackwell (Legal) – Brad Dallet, Grace D'Souza, Haley Stepanek
  • Kapur (Engineering) – Ramesh Kapur, Ryan Birschbach
  • New Land (Development) - Tim Gokhman, Sheldon Oppermann
  • Landmark Credit Union (Banking) - Adam Newman 
  • GRAEF (Engineering) - Pat Kressin 
  • Zilber Ltd. (Development) - Bill Wigchers, Jon Mulcahy 
  • Findorff (Construction) - Mike Stern 
  • Founders 3 (Brokerage) - Andy Hess, Simon Kaldor 

Student Participants (August 2026)

Charlie Clark Teddy Dabrowski winw jack
Charlie Clark, Business (real estate) Teddy Dabrowski, Business (real estate) Charles (Win) Williams, Business, Applied AI and Finance Jack Walkenhorst, Business (real estate)

STUDENT INTEREST FOR THE 2026-2027 COHORT
All students interested in participating in the 2026-2027 AI in Real Estate Lab cohort should visit our AI in Real Estate Lab Student Fellows page at the link below:STUDENTS - LEARN MORE

Kickoff event photos

History: 2025-2026 Cohort

On September 12th, 2025, the AI Real Estate Lab 2025-2026 cohort launched with a literature review and student presentations. Seven original companies and seven students worked to found the lab alongside Marquette faculty. Meeting monthly, students and companies came together to share work, insights, ideas, and project cases being used in a real-world setting.

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, please contact the following:


Marquette University Leaders:
Andy Hunt – Vieth Institute for Real Estate Leadership andrew.hunt@marquette.edu
Dr. Jeremy Welland – Marquette University jeremy.welland@marquette.edu 
Dr. George Cashman – Marquette University george.cashman@marquette.edu
Charles "Win" Williams - AI Forge student club charles.williams@marquette.edu 

Company Leaders:
Scott Yauck – Cobalt Partners
David Binder – MLG Capital