University of Chicago Real Estate Investment Group Launches Student-Managed Fund with $100,000 Donation

The University of Chicago Real Estate Investment Group (RIG) has taken a significant step forward with the launch of a student-managed real estate investment fund, made possible by a $100,000 donation from two founding members, Paul Stacek (A.B. '23) and Alessandro Rubini (A.B. '21). This fund marks RIG as one of the largest undergraduate-run investment funds and one of the only student groups to actively manage capital at UChicago. The fund will focus on publicly traded real estate investment trusts, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other real estate-related equities, with a portion of its annual returns allocated to the Odyssey Scholarship Program.

Key Takeaways:

• The University of Chicago Real Estate Investment Group (RIG) has launched a student-managed real estate investment fund with a $100,000 donation from Paul Stacek (A.B. '23) and Alessandro Rubini (A.B. '21).
• The fund will be led by seven undergraduates and supported by an advisory board of professionals in the industry, focusing on publicly traded real estate investment trusts, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other real estate-related equities.
• A portion of the fund's annual returns will be allocated to the Odyssey Scholarship Program, which provides loan-free education for low-income and first-generation students.
• RIG has educated over 250 students through site visits, an educational curriculum, and a cross-school case competition since its inception.
• The Landmark Series, a student-organized speaker program, has drawn over 500 attendees across its first six events, featuring speakers from the Chicago area's hospitality, urban development, and investment strategy sectors.
• The series will continue to expand in the coming academic year, with RIG also activating its investment fund.
• RIG's chair, Alec Boyajian, attributes the organization's success to the support of its alumni, who have provided the foundation for the group's growth.

Statistics:

• $100,000: The donation from Paul Stacek (A.B. '23) and Alessandro Rubini (A.B. '21) to launch the student-managed real estate investment fund.
• 250: The number of students educated by RIG through site visits, an educational curriculum, and a cross-school case competition since its inception.
• 500: The number of attendees for The Landmark Series across its first six events.
• 7: The number of undergraduates leading the student-managed real estate investment fund.
• 3: The types of equity the fund will focus on: publicly traded real estate investment trusts, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other real estate-related equities.

Sources:

• [1] "University of Chicago Real Estate Investment Group Launches Student-Managed Fund with $100,000 Donation" (The University of Chicago Real Estate Investment Group, n.d.)
• [2] "RIG Annual Report 2024-25" (The University of Chicago Real Estate Investment Group, 2025)
• [3] Interview with Alec Boyajian, RIG's chair (n.d.)