Award Recognition
Innovation and Enhancement
Sajjad's initiative and leadership in the Columbia community have earned him the Leadership and Excellence Award for Innovation and Enhancement.
Sajjad served as the president and director of Almaworks, Columbia's undergraduate-run startup accelerator, for two years, and significantly expanded the program's reach and impact.
He grew the Almaworks team from 7 to 18 members and launched new initiatives to better support startups. Under his leadership, Almaworks supported dozens of startups that collectively raised over $45M in funding, often through Almaworks mentors or VC introductions. Sajjad revamped Almaworks' mentorship program based on stakeholder feedback, and when COVID struck, he dynamically adjusted Demo Day planning and execution, pivoting to a digital format and increasing participation from 40 to 300 attendees nationwide.
Sajjad played a pivotal role in launching the Almaworks Fellowship, which has connected 100+ students to internships, and establishing LionLaunch, a undergraduate pre-MVP innovation launchpad. In partnership with Bain Capital, Harvard, and MIT, Sajjad created a 170+ person entrepreneurship summer program. Additionally, he partnered with BCV to organize an ongoing dinner series for Columbia students featuring founders from their portfolio companies.
This award recognises Sajjad's exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to fostering innovation and creating opportunity in the Columbia community.
I am deeply honored to receive this award and humbled and deeply grateful to my peers for nominating me. I owe tremendous thanks to my friends, family, mentors, and professors for their constant support.
Leading Almaworks has been a highlight of my time at Columbia. I have been fortunate to work with an incredible team that continues to motivate and inspire me. This award is dedicated to them.