Our Process
From Deal Screen to Closing — and Back Again
"The only source of knowledge is experience."— Albert Einstein
Student-Led Investment Process
At University Capital, we bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice by giving students hands-on experience in real estate investing. Students lead the investment process — screening, analyzing, and underwriting real deals — while receiving ongoing mentorship from seasoned industry professionals.
Our process mirrors professional real estate investment firms. At the top of the funnel, students screen potential opportunities against our investment criteria. Promising deals advance to due diligence, then underwriting, and finally a formal presentation to our investment committee.
Deal Screen
Deals are screened with respect to asset type, location, expected returns, valuation metrics, demographics, and the competitive landscape. For a deal to advance to initial due diligence, at least two analysts must approve moving forward.
Initial Due Diligence
Student analysts examine demographics, verify zoning and entitlement issues, find comparable properties, and gather information on rents, cap rates, and other key metrics needed to properly evaluate investment feasibility.
Underwriting
Only the top deals make it through screening and initial due diligence. During underwriting, no stone is left unturned. Students build a detailed financial model, validate assumptions, and perform rigorous sensitivity analysis across multiple scenarios.
Presentation
Student analysts prepare a detailed presentation and make formal recommendations. Partners and investors question the students during the presentation and decide whether more information is needed or how to proceed.
Investment
Once the investment committee approves a deal, the fund coordinates with partners and investors to finalize the investment. Students are involved throughout the closing process, gaining experience in deal execution and capital coordination.
Monitoring
After an investment is made, student analysts monitor it regularly and compare realized numbers against forecasted estimates from underwriting. Reviewing past investments is a critical step in continuously improving our process.
See Our Process in Action
Browse our portfolio to see the types of investments our students have evaluated and closed.