Altus Group Opens 2026 ARGUS Challenge to Shape Future CRE Leaders

TORONTO, ON – January 08, 2026 – Altus Group has officially opened registration for its 2026 ARGUS University Challenge, an annual global competition that has become a crucial launching pad for the next generation of commercial real estate (CRE) professionals. The event invites university students worldwide to tackle a complex, fictitious real estate investment scenario, leveraging the industry’s cornerstone software, ARGUS Enterprise, to showcase their analytical prowess.

Running from March 6 to April 17, the challenge is more than an academic competition; it is a direct response to a rapidly evolving industry grappling with significant talent shortages and a growing demand for data-driven expertise. As students compete for scholarship awards and industry recognition, they gain invaluable hands-on experience with a tool used by over 3,500 companies to model, underwrite, and value commercial properties.

“The ARGUS University Challenge is more than an academic exercise – it’s a proving ground for future industry leaders,” said Mike Gordon, Executive Chair and incoming CEO at Altus Group, in a recent announcement. “We’re proud to offer students hands-on experience with ARGUS Enterprise, the core component of our ARGUS Intelligence Platform, to empower them with the skills they need to succeed as they enter the workforce.”

A Proving Ground for Tomorrow's Talent

The ARGUS University Challenge has established a formidable reputation for identifying and nurturing top-tier talent. The competition requires student teams, guided by a sponsoring professor, to deliver a comprehensive investment analysis and recommendation. Their submissions are judged not just on the outcome, but on the depth and clarity of their analytical process using ARGUS Enterprise.

This practical application is a significant career accelerator. Mastery of ARGUS is often considered a prerequisite for roles in real estate investment, asset management, and finance. By participating, students demonstrate a level of proficiency that makes them stand out in a competitive job market. The prestige of the challenge is amplified by the high caliber of participating institutions. Recent competitions have seen top honors awarded to teams from Germany’s IREBS at the University of Regensburg, the University of San Diego, New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate, and Cornell University, highlighting the event's global reach and academic rigor.

For students, the benefits extend beyond the potential for scholarship funds. It provides a platform to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world problem, forcing them to navigate discounted cash flow analysis, valuation modeling, and performance forecasting. This experience bridges the critical gap between classroom learning and industry practice, making graduates more effective and productive from their first day on the job.

A Strategic Play for Industry Dominance

While the challenge is a significant boon for students, it is also a key strategic initiative for Altus Group. For over three decades, ARGUS software has been deeply embedded in the CRE ecosystem. By fostering proficiency at the university level, Altus Group ensures a continuous pipeline of professionals who are not only familiar with its software but view it as the industry standard. This strategy builds powerful brand loyalty and reinforces the software's market dominance long before students enter the workforce.

This educational outreach is part of a broader corporate strategy. Altus Group is currently transitioning clients to its ARGUS Intelligence Platform, an evolution of its core software designed to integrate advanced analytics and data more seamlessly. By introducing the platform’s core component, ARGUS Enterprise, to aspiring professionals, the company is future-proofing its user base and solidifying its position as the central nervous system for CRE decision-making.

This approach is critical in a market with emerging competitors like Forbury, RealData, and various AI-powered platforms. By maintaining its foothold in academia through its ARGUS University Partnership Program (AUPP), which supports over 200 institutions globally, Altus Group creates a powerful network effect that is difficult for rivals to replicate.

Addressing a Widening Industry Skills Gap

The timing of the challenge is particularly relevant. The commercial real estate sector is currently facing what The Counselors of Real Estate has identified as a top-ten industry issue: a significant talent shortage. Factors including an aging workforce, the “great resignation,” and intense competition for talent from other industries have created a critical skills gap. Companies are struggling to find professionals who possess both traditional real estate acumen and the technical skills required in a digital-first world.

Initiatives like the ARGUS University Challenge directly address this gap. They align with broader industry efforts from organizations like NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which are also investing heavily in talent development, mentorship programs, and educational partnerships. These programs recognize that the future of CRE depends on a workforce that is comfortable with technology, capable of complex data analysis, and prepared for the integration of AI and automation in their daily workflows.

By equipping students with practical software skills, Altus Group is not just promoting its product; it is contributing a vital piece to the industry’s talent puzzle, helping to cultivate a workforce prepared for the complexities of modern real estate investment and management.

An Esteemed Panel and a Broader Commitment

Adding to the challenge’s prestige is the distinguished panel of industry experts who will review the submissions. The 2026 panel includes a blend of academic and corporate leaders, ensuring that student work is evaluated against the highest professional standards. The judges include Christopher Bourn, a lecturer at Bayes Business School; Gary Brown, Partner and Managing Director at Partners Real Estate; James Ray, Managing Director at MetLife Investment Management; Naqash Tahir, Executive Director of R&D and Investments at RealAssetX; Richard Byrd, Founder of Aspen Grove Realty; and Altus Group’s own Ray Wong, Vice President of Data Solutions.

The involvement of such influential figures provides students with unparalleled exposure and validates the real-world relevance of their work. Registration for the 2026 ARGUS University Challenge closes on February 26, with the winners scheduled to be announced on May 20. The competition stands as a testament to Altus Group's long-term investment in the health and evolution of the commercial real estate industry.