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.

A

Access

Democratizing access to prestigious global competitions for all Columbia GSAPP students.

C

Collaboration

Building interdisciplinary teams that leverage diverse skills and perspectives for competition success.

E

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.

MS

Maulik Solanki

President

Leading strategic vision and partnerships for the collaborative.

JV

Jack VanderMolen

Co-President

Overseeing financial strategy and competition analysis.

TS

Trian Smith

VP External Relations

Managing industry partnerships and external stakeholder relationships.

SS

Susan Simons

VP External Relations

Developing strategic alliances with academic institutions and industry organizations.

AL

Alex Lu

VP Competition Strategy

Analyzing competition trends and developing strategic approaches for team success.

AG

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.

Location
Columbia GSAPP
New York, NY
Founded
2025