One hundred high school entrepreneurs will also be showcasing their businesses at the event
Boston, October 19, 2016― BUILD Boston announces today that it will honor Jeff Glass, BUILD Boston’s Founding Board Chair, at its five-year anniversary gala, BUILDFest. The event will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the Boston Convention Center, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston from 5:30 – 9:30 P.M. BUILD will also honor Mic Williams, Founder of the Boston Harbor Angels, at its gala.
“We are excited to honor Jeff Glass at BUILDfest this year. In 2010, Jeff had the inspiration to bring BUILD’s program to Boston, and he and a handful of his colleagues provided the seed funding to get it off the ground,” said Ayele Shakur, Executive Director of BUILD Boston. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that BUILD Boston exists because of Jeff. He served as our Board Chair for five years, helping us get to where we are today, serving 300 students in six schools.” Shakur added, “Jeff also models the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit that we strive to instill in all our students.”
Glass will be honored with the BUILDer Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The award annually recognizes someone who has made significant achievements as an entrepreneur while overcoming adversity or doing social good. Jeff is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and run more than a half dozen marketing, media and technology-enabled businesses. All of his prior companies have been successfully acquired. As a pioneer in mobile technology Jeff had the distinction of running one of the fastest growing companies in America, was a winner of the Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award, and was a recipient of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Currently, Jeff is the founder and CEO of StartingFive Partners, a hybrid investment and operating company committed to the creation of five new companies over the next several years.
BUILD will also honor Mic Williams, Founder of Boston Harbor Angels, with the BUILD Friend of the Year Award, which is presented annually to those who have demonstrated a deep level of personal commitment to BUILD Greater Boston through volunteer service and support. Boston Harbor Angels is a group of business leaders who support entrepreneurs by investing in high growth, early stage companies. Williams has been an investor for over 34 years. He has offered invaluable support and advice to BUILD this year.
A highlight of BUILDFest is the Student Business Expo where BUILD students will showcase their businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase products from the student entrepreneurs. The expo is run entirely by students, who act as emcees and speakers throughout the dinner program.
Tickets to BUILDfest are $250. Proceeds support BUILD Boston’s mission to make college accessible to youth in selected Boston Public Schools where the graduation rates are sometimes below 60 percent. Please go to BUILDinBoston.org to purchase tickets or sign up for email updates.
About BUILD
BUILD uses entrepreneurship and experiential learning to ignite the potential of youth in under-resourced communities and equip them for high school, college, and career success. Founded in California in 1999, BUILD launched its Boston site in 2011 and is working with more than 300 students in six Boston Public High Schools in Dorchester, Roxbury, Charlestown and Hyde Park. To learn more about the organization and its mission, visit www.buildinboston.org.
