Building a Different Kind of Student Living
At Prime Campus, Tim Calder is building more than just accommodation – he’s creating a new model for student living that balances strong returns for investors with genuine care for tenants. With nearly $14 million in assets under management and a reputation for quality tenant relations, Prime Campus has steadily grown into one of New Zealand’s most innovative student property funds.
But growing a public-facing fund isn’t without its challenges. For Tim, the choice of funding pathway has been just as important as the buildings themselves.
Why Prime Campus Chose Catalist
When looking for a way to raise capital, Prime Campus turned to Catalist – New Zealand’s second public exchange alongside the NZX. Catalist offers a unique advantage: companies can raise money from retail investors without the need for a costly and time-consuming prospectus process.
“Catalist has special carve-out rules in the FMA legislation,” Tim explains. “That makes it a unique and advantageous choice for raising capital in New Zealand.”
The setup was fast and affordable. But Tim quickly learned that raising capital requires more than a good product. The real challenge was marketing.
“We thought the quality of the fund would speak for itself,” he says. “But the reality is, you have to invest heavily in publicity, social media, and meeting people. That was a steep learning curve.”
Managing Investors – The Human Factor
Running a public fund brings with it a new role for Tim: fund manager and public face of the business. It’s a responsibility that doesn’t come naturally.
“It’s really difficult for me personally,” he admits. “I find social media stressful. I don’t feel like I’m polished in how I communicate – I just hope my authenticity makes up for it.”
Despite this, Prime Campus has built a strong investor communications framework. Reports are a collaborative effort, with Tim drafting, Rosalind Love (independent chair) refining, and a graphic designer polishing. The result is professional reporting that has drawn praise from investors and peers alike.
Operational Challenges and Growth Ambitions
Like any growing business, Prime Campus faces its share of operational strain. The compliance burden is significant, with tasks like director’s certificates for share issuance taking time away from what Tim sees as the company’s real differentiator – looking after tenants.
Development of their custom tenant management system has also been slow, but that constraint has forced the team to prioritise the most valuable features.
The bigger ambition? Expanding into new markets, starting with Wellington where property prices have fallen by 30%, and eventually listing publicly to attract institutional capital.
Why Catalist Works for Prime Campus
Despite the hurdles, Tim remains a strong advocate for Catalist.
“I can’t recommend Catalist enough,” he says. “The team is supportive, responsive, and really working hard for their clients. The challenge isn’t the platform – it’s convincing the public to love what you do. That’s the key.”
Looking Forward
Prime Campus has come a long way from its early days of fundraising. The company now has a system in place for continuous investment, professional reporting, and market expansion. While the personal stress of investor relations is real, Tim’s vision remains clear: grow the fund, deliver for tenants, and create opportunities for everyday investors to share in the success.
