In December 2024, the Yonkers-based construction firm GLP & Sons graduated from Columbia University Facilities and Operations’ (CUFO’s) CU Grow: Vendor Development Program. CU Grow is a coaching program for locally-owned firms and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual- (SEDI) owned firms. Founded in 2019 by brothers Eric and Elton Paul, GLP & Sons provides general construction services, environmental inspection/testing, and remediation/abatement services of hazards including lead, mold, and asbestos. The firm has completed projects for many city and state agencies.
GLP & Sons’ growth trajectory began to take off when it participated in Ascend NYC, a peer-learning program designed to support SEDI business owners through the 3M approach: Management Training, Market Access, and Money (Access to Capital). The program is facilitated by CUFO, the Business Outreach Center (BOC) Network, BOC Capital, and funded by JPMorgan Chase.
“The biggest takeaways for us were learning to forecast and manage finances strategically,” said Eric Paul, Co-founder, GLP & Sons, of the management training he received through Ascend NYC and CU Grow.
During the firm’s tenure in the programs, the brothers built relationships with larger firms, which has bolstered the work they’re doing as subcontractors. It was “mind-blowing” to get face-to-face meetings with large construction firms, including Skanska, Gilbane, and Turner & Townsend, Eric Paul said.
One of Ascend NYC’s unique contributions is the creation of a private anchor council of large corporations and government agencies that provide contract opportunities and ongoing support to Ascend NYC firms. The council is an avenue for firms like GLP & Sons to build subcontracting relationships. It also helps Columbia maintain connections with construction and maintenance firms of various sizes and capabilities to meet the University’s operational needs.
GLP & Sons also received two $500,000 loans from BOC Capital, which allowed them to complete several projects for the City of New York. "The financing was a literal game-changer—it saved our business from struggling to mobilize projects to truly thriving,” said Eric Paul, Co-founder, GLP & Sons. “The support from BOC Network, Columbia University and BOC Capital has been instrumental to our growth.”
