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CREATING CONNECTIONS, ENABLING OPPORTUNITIES

Delivered by the Facilities and Operations department, the CU Grow: Vendor Development Program is a multi-dimensional coaching program developed to assist minority-, women-, and locally-owned (MWL) firms by expanding their existing portfolio of business and contracts with large clients. The program is at no cost to vendors and runs annually from February to December.

Read the welcome message from the Executive Vice President of University Facilities and Operations.

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU IF:

  • You are seeking a greater understanding of large company procurement procedures
  • Provide a service or commodity that aligns with the needs of Columbia University 
  • Are a certified Minority-, Women-, or Locally owned firm with annual revenue between $250K and $10M*
  • Your firm has been established for at least three years and is in the built environment, including construction trades, professional services, suppliers, and commodities.
     

LEARN MORE:

cu grow graduation

The Impact

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In its first five years, CU Grow opened new doors to 84 firms and awarded over $102M in contracts to graduates for work across Columbia’s three campuses. Learn more about the program’s creation, the result-driven design model, its impact, and plans for the future.

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Recent News

December 15, 2023

Business Owner Commends CU Grow Program as “Life Changing” for Her Business at Graduation Ceremony for Program’s Seventh Cohort

The 19 graduating firms in the seventh cohort of the CU Grow Program – a Facilities and Operations-led initiative designed to support minority-, women- and locally owned (MWL) businesses build capacity – specialize in areas including carpentry, construction, window treatments, welding, fencing, and more. CU Grow is powered by a Capital Readiness grant awarded by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).