The Real Estate Accelerator Lab (REAL) is an industry-supported program designed to educate and mentor the next generation of Greater Cincinnati real estate professionals. Program participants are chosen to bring together a diverse class with a focus on leadership and those typically underrepresented in the real estate development industry. The goal of the REAL program is to expand diversity of race, ethnicity, gender identity and experience in real estate development by offering a selected group the opportunity to expand their knowledge and build skills. Participants will develop a valuable network of fellow students, REAL graduates and industry professionals. Importantly, graduates will learn the building blocks of creating and sustaining thriving careers and communities.

Take a moment and watch the following video to gain perspectives from graduates, mentors and instructors of REAL 4.0.  Click here for a video from the REAL 3.0 cohort and here for a video from our REAL 2.0 cohort.

The nine-month program is comprised of nine day-long program days. Each program day has a specific topic of focus.

2025-2026 Schedule*

1st Thursday of every month from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (exception for January 2026).

Orientation and Program Day 1 – September 4, 2025
Program Day 2 – October 2, 2025
Program Day 3 – November 6, 2025
Program Day 4 – December 4, 2025
Program Day 5 – January 8, 2026 (second Thursday of the month)
Program Day 6 – February 5, 2026
Program Day 7 – March 5, 2026
Program Day 8 – April 2, 2026
Program Day 9  with Project Pitches, Capstones & Graduation – May 7, 2026

The REAL Board is comprised of the following organizations and two graduates of the program. In addition, more than four dozen organizations are represented with instructors and mentors:

Catalytic Development Funding Corp. of NKY
Cincinnati Development Fund
City of Cincinnati
Common Sense Capital Solutions
Cushman & Wakefield
Fifth Third Bank
Gail Paul Communication Consulting
The Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce
LISC Greater Cincinnati & Northern KY
Huntington Bank
Ironsmith Development
JAKE Advisors
Moody Nolan
PNC Bank
The Port
Sanders Development Group
STNL Development
Terrex Development & Construction
Taft Law
ULI Cincinnati

Participants

Ideal participants are mid-career, Greater Cincinnati professionals who have a strong interest in advancing their career in the real estate profession. The program will be enriched by the diversity of participants which will include people of color, women, entrepreneurs, LGBTQ, non-profit and for-profit professionals. Select leaders with varying levels of familiarity with real estate development will create a myriad of experiences and perspectives.

Candidate Criteria

Cohort members are selected from a pool of applicants through a rigorous process of screening and interviewing.

• Emerging Leader: Individuals poised to assume leadership positions and/or have an entrepreneurial drive to create and foster real estate development in their communities
• Skills: Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience which may include education, work or real estate investment or a combination thereof

Application

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Completed and signed application
• Short essays
• Resume or bio
• Willingness to adhere to REAL’s Core Values

The deadline for REAL 7.0 applications is midnight on June 30, 2025.  There will be no exceptions to this deadline.  The application can be found below or by clicking here.

Tuition for REAL Participants

The Real Estate Accelerator Lab is a tuition-based program. The tuition cost for the 2025-2026 REAL 7.0 program for members is $1600 or $1875 for non-members of ULI. All graduates will receive a 12-month Associate ULI Membership (provided upon graduation).

Tuition assistance through the REAL Scholarship Fund is available for qualified individuals, particularly those who are self-employed or work for a non-profit. Information about applying for tuition assistance is on the application.

For questions about the REAL program, contact ULI Cincinnati at [email protected].

Click here for a listing of REAL 1.0-REAL 5.0 program graduates and REAL 6.0 cohort members.