Success Story

A Bright Future for The Best Shades After CUFO-backed CU Grow Program

The Best Shades is bringing custom window shades, drapes, and blinds to Columbia spaces – including the historic Casa Italiana. 

December 09, 2025
Interior of a traditional library with dark wooden bookshelves lining the walls and archways dividing the space. The room features large arched windows with white shades, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and several leather armchairs arranged for reading. A long wooden table with documents and display items sits near the front, and the shelves are filled with books.

Yuliya Gimadiev, CEO and founder of The Best Shades, is recent graduate of the Columbia University Facilities and Operations (CUFO) CU Grow: Vendor Development program. While participating in CU Grow, Yuliya’s firm secured a three-year contract as a task order vendor to supply window treatments for Columbia on work orders up to a certain threshold. This summer, the team installed 71 light-filtering and 15 blackout custom manual roller shades in one of Columbia’s historic buildings, Casa Italiana.  

Additional projects at Columbia since participating in CU Grow: 

  • Window treatments for several units in 600 West 125th Street, a new residential building for graduate students and faculty
  • Installation of blackout shades at several Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) buildings
  • Replacement and repair of damaged or inefficient shades 

New shades improve Columbia spaces by enhancing comfort and energy efficiency. 

“We are deeply grateful to the CU Grow team and the Columbia University Procurement team for their collaboration, guidance, and trust... Nurturing long-term partnerships has created a thriving ecosystem where small businesses like ours can scale and succeed.” 

Yuliya Gimadiev, CEO, The Best Shades

Learn how CU Grow strengthens Columbia’s community and local and small businesses. Applications are now open for the 2026 Cohort 10.