The University of Baltimore’s 2024 “Pitch for a Million” Real Estate Competition was an exciting event that showcased the ambitions and talents of Baltimore’s brightest up-and-coming real estate minds. The competition, designed to foster innovative and impactful real estate development projects within Baltimore, culminated in a final pitch session where students vied for the coveted million-dollar line-of-credit.

MBA alumna Phaedra Stewart and her company called, Seriously Positive LLC, emerged victorious, captivating the judges with her project that centered on revitalizing Baltimore’s Oliver neighborhood. Her well-defined plan and commitment to the community resonated with the panel. 

The energy was apparent throughout the venue as each finalist delivered their pitch. Kichonee Davis, Samantha Mellerson, and Ikechukwu Opaigbeogu also presented compelling proposals, showcasing a diverse range of approaches to real estate development in Baltimore. Their presentations were met with attentive ears and thoughtful questions from the judges, highlighting the caliber of the competition.

Raju Balakrishnan, dean of the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore, offered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of the competition in nurturing future leaders in the Baltimore real estate landscape. Seema Iyer, an advisor and co-founder of the Real Estate Fellows Program, also chimed in, underscoring the program’s mission of identifying and supporting developers who possess a deep understanding of the city’s neighborhoods and their unique needs.

The Baltimore Community Lending (BCL) foundation, a staunch supporter of the competition, seeks to empower developers who prioritize community-centric projects. BCL representatives were present throughout the event, actively engaged in the presentations and interactions. Their presence underscored the significance of the competition in bridging the gap between aspiring developers and the financial resources needed to bring their visions to life.

The “Pitch for a Million” competition serves as a launchpad for these enterprising students, propelling them into the exciting world of real estate development. The competition not only awards financial backing to the winning project but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the participants. The event serves as a valuable networking opportunity, allowing students to connect with industry professionals, potential investors, and mentors who can provide guidance and support throughout their careers.

The University of Baltimore’s 2024 “Pitch for a Million” Real Estate Competition was a resounding success. It spotlighted the ingenuity and dedication of Baltimore’s future real estate leaders, while simultaneously fostering a collaborative environment that will undoubtedly yield a positive impact on the city’s development landscape. Phaedra’s triumph serves as an inspiration to all the participants, and the well-rounded competition serves as a testament to the University of Baltimore’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of real estate visionaries.

About the Real Estate Fellows Program at The University of Baltimore

The University of Baltimore Real Estate Fellows are work to address critical development needs within Baltimore’s middle-market neighborhoods. UBalt students and alumni will have 10-weeks of mentoring from seasoned real estate professionals. After the mentoring sessions, students will then identify a neighborhood, create a project, complete a development plan, and develop an application for financing. The winning proposal will get the necessary financing up to $1 million in a Guidance Line of Credit from Baltimore Community Lending to proceed with the project. The culmination of a the work has each student or team of students share their plan in the “Pitch for a Million” competition.

Check out the YouTube event video for “Pitch for a Million” competition including Phaedra Stewart’s pitch.