Deakin Business students showcase their talent at PropConnex 2025 National finals
A team of Deakin Business School students represented the University at the 2025 PropConnex Real Estate Case Competition, held in Sydney. Selected through a competitive EOI process, the team, Peak Property, demonstrated outstanding strategic thinking, financial analysis, and teamwork as they tackled a complex real-world development brief under the mentorship of Tom Keel, Associate Lecturer in Property and Real Estate.
PropConnex is widely recognised as the premier real estate case competition–connecting the brightest tertiary talent from all over Australia and New Zealand. The competition offers students an exciting opportunity to showcase their knowledge in a series of real world, large-scale property challenges.
The challenge
This years challenge focussed on a mixed-use development opportunity in London. Teams were required to assess feasibility, valuation, and strategic positioning of the development, and present their recommendations to a panel of industry professionals.
Deakin’s team, (pictured above with Academic Mentor, Tom Keel, far right), Isaac Tymms, Alexander Walsh, Izabella Minas, Charlotte McCutcheon, Mason Nguyen and Riley Pitcher demonstrated analytical and financial literacy, along with confident presentation skills in response to the challenge, performing strongly against universities across Australia and New Zealand.
The top two teams will go on to represent the ANZ region in New York, showcasing their work on a global stage — something Deakin aspires to achieve in 2026!
The competition, hosted by NAB at their Sydney office, was generously supported by PropConnex, who covered the cost of flights and accommodation for the team and academic mentor.
An ‘unforgettable’ experience
The team shares their thoughts and reflections about the PropConnex competition.
Charlotte’s experience was unforgettable, ‘Competing for the second consecutive year was both challenging and rewarding. The collaboration, problem-solving, and shared drive within our team made it unforgettable.’
For Isaac, the PropConnex experience, ‘pushed my strategic thinking and collaboration skills. Presenting on a national scale provided real insight into the complexity of large-scale investment and redevelopment decisions.’
Alexander reflected on how PropConnex can positively impact your real estate career path, ‘If you see your future in commercial real estate, PropConnex is the decision that changes the trajectory. We didn’t just build a model–we built a story. The highlight wasn’t the spreadsheets but the people, the late-night debates, and the boundary-pushing that turned ideas into conviction.’
Academic Mentor Tom Keel, sums up the experience, ‘Our students were so impressive in their engagement with the task. They never baulked–they kept striving to ensure their submission and presentation were at the highest level.’
Pushing boundaries at PropConnex was an incredible opportunity. The true highlight was connecting with peers and professionals across Australia and New Zealand. Riley Pitcher
Keen to be involved?
Business Case Competitions are a great way to showcase your skills on a national and global stage, and have the experience of a lifetime! For more information please reach out to the Business and Law Peer Support and Transition team at bl-se@deakin.edu.au
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