About Us
Born from the long-awaited need of Columbia GSAPP students to access and excel in prestigious global competitions.
Our Story
Columbia Competition Collaborative was formulated out of a long-awaited need among Columbia GSAPP students who recognized the gap between academic excellence and access to prestigious global competitions. For years, students struggled to discover relevant opportunities, form effective teams, and navigate the complex landscape of international design and real estate competitions.
Our founding team identified this critical need and partnered with the CompXAI platform to create a comprehensive solution that would democratize access to competition opportunities while fostering collaboration among students with diverse skills and backgrounds. Leveraging advanced technological infrastructure, we recognized that Columbia students possess exceptional talent but often lacked the organizational structure to effectively participate in high-profile competitions.
Our aim is to transform how Columbia GSAPP students engage with the global competition landscape by bridging every gap that exists within the academic journey. We work collaboratively with students and their individual organizations within GSAPP to connect all the dots - whether addressing gaps between students seeking opportunities, supporting clubs in delivering exceptional value to their members, or facilitating seamless connections across diverse academic pursuits. Through our systematic approach to competition discovery, team formation, and strategic preparation, we strive to maximize our students' potential for success while building lasting professional networks and skills that transcend traditional academic boundaries.
Access
Democratizing access to prestigious global competitions for all Columbia GSAPP students.
Collaboration
Building interdisciplinary teams that leverage diverse skills and perspectives for competition success.
Excellence
Pursuing the highest standards in competition preparation and professional development.
Our Founding Team
Dedicated Columbia GSAPP students committed to building a collaborative platform for competition excellence.
Maulik Solanki
President
Leading strategic vision and partnerships for the collaborative.
Jack VanderMolen
Co-President
Overseeing financial strategy and competition analysis.
Trian Smith
VP External Relations
Managing industry partnerships and external stakeholder relationships.
Susan Simons
VP External Relations
Developing strategic alliances with academic institutions and industry organizations.
Alex Lu
VP Competition Strategy
Analyzing competition trends and developing strategic approaches for team success.
Abhishek Garnie
VP Competition Strategy
Coordinating competition preparation and team formation strategies.
Get In Touch
Ready to join Columbia's premier competition collaborative? We'd love to hear from you.