Announcing the Winners of the AI.Edge Founder’s Build Competition
When we launched our AI course and community for real estate: AI.Edge, the idea of building together was part of the plan from the start.
AI is evolving quickly, and our early adapter members (ie the founding group of AI-native professionals in commercial real estate) joined with a shared mindset: learn, experiment, and create together. So, it felt natural to kick things off with a challenge.
AI.Edge Build Competitions are designed to give members a chance to showcase what they are building and how they are applying AI in practical, CRE-specific ways.
The results of our inaugural competition were inspiring! Each submission reflected a different perspective on what it means to be AI-native in this industry. Choosing winners wasn’t easy, but the process reminded us why this community exists: to learn from one another and push the limits of what’s possible.
Today, we’re excited to share the winners of our inaugural AI.Edge Build Competition.
First Place: Sara Smarr
Project: CRE Geospatial Project Intelligence GPT
Sara created a custom GPT that solves one of the most frustrating tasks in CRE: tracking nearby development activity. Her tool scans for major projects within a tight radius, filtered by asset class, and presents verified, accurate results that analysts can actually use.
By simplifying what is typically a time-consuming, manual process, this build makes underwriting and market analysis smarter and faster.
- Click here to check out Sara’s build
Runner-Up: Dan Johnston
Project: AI Analysis with Lease Comp Database
Dan tackled the challenge of fragmented market data. His platform standardizes lease comp information and makes it usable for visual analysis, AI workflows, and internal decision-making.
This kind of smart data structuring is what helps turn AI from theory into real productivity. His tool is now an active part of his daily work and is already in use by consulting clients.
- Click here to check out Dan’s build/project
What’s Next?
This competition was just the beginning. More showcases, build challenges, and tools are on the way.
Want to be one of the next winners?
