Columbia University

CU Grow Vendor Development Program Graduates Second Cohort of Minority, Women and Local Vendors

By
Columbia University Facilities and Operations
January 15, 2019
2018 CU Grow Cohort with coaches and Columbia University administrative staff

CU Grow: Vendor Development Program, a Facilities and Operations initiative designed to help minority-, women- and locally owned (MWL) vendors of the University grow their businesses, graduated its second cohort at an event this evening at Faculty House.

The 11 graduating businesses, which ranged from architecture firms, plumbers, environmental remediation experts, and more, were matched with an executive coach from a group of University administrators and partner organizations based on the specific needs of the business and the coach’s areas of expertise.  Over the course of the nine-month program, the coaches led the business owners through a curriculum developed by the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) designed to help vendors create a three-year growth plan, connect them with resources to gain specific knowledge and review their overall business plan.

In addition to the capacity building and coaching, there is a strong emphasis to build vendor relationships with purchasers at Columbia and with University affiliates and partners in an effort to identify more contracting opportunities. Program participants had the opportunity to participate in four procurement events with substantial opportunities from Columbia University and other businesses over the course of the nine-month program.  Additionally, at each event, firms were able to network and participate in Q&A with Columbia University Procurement officers.

To be eligible for the program, vendors must be certified minority- or women-owned business enterprises, or be based in Upper Manhattan or the South Bronx, have annual revenue between $250,000 and $5 million, and be an existing vendor of the University or provide a product or service that is immediately needed at the University.

Vendors that graduated from second cohort include:

  1. A&J Consulting and Engineering Services, P.C.
  2. Aarris Atepa Architects, LLC
  3. Absolute Plumbing and Heating Corp.
  4. AR Construction
  5. G-Squared Electric, LLC
  6. Kimco Group, Inc.
  7. Lashay’s Construction & Development Inc.
  8. S.A Barcia Inspections, LLC
  9. TJ Signs & Designs, LLC
  10. TygaBox Systems, Inc.
  11. Watson’s Plumbing & Heating Building Services Inc.

This article originally appeared on the Columbia University Facilities and Operations website.