CU Grow Kicks off Third Year of Developing Small Businesses

April 10, 2019

The CU Grow Leadership Development Program for Vendors kicked off its third year on April 3, when executives of 17 small businesses met their coaches for a nine-month engagement in the program. The goal of the Facilities and Operations initiative is to provide Minority-, Women- and Locally-owned businesses with new resources and strategies, to empower them to grow their business with Columbia University and other large clients.

During the program, the business owners receive individualized coaching in areas where their firms need improvement, support in their executive decision-making and strategic thinking, and assistance with building a three-year growth plan to guide their business. Participants will have several opportunities to connect with Columbia University Project Managers who are potential buyers of their services.  Columbia University partner firms, including general contractors and construction management firms, may also present opportunities to the CU Grow participants. Successful vendors will graduate in December 2019.

The coaches comprise leaders both from Columbia and from local business development organizations, with expertise in accounting, small business development, construction leadership, and government. 

Since Facilities and Operations launched CU Grow, the 29 participants from the first two cohorts have earned a combined $29.6 million with Columbia University. 

Vendors and coaches for 2019 are: