May 8, 2024 – As BUILD.org embarks on its 25th year, it proudly showcases the next generation of entrepreneurial changemakers through its innovative BUILDFest events in Bay Area, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Boston, and New York City over the next month. BUILD, a national nonprofit organization, is on a mission to use entrepreneurship to ignite the potential of youth from under-resourced communities, enabling them to build career success, entrepreneurial mindsets, and opportunity. BUILDFest events serve as vibrant celebrations of the transformational power of youth entrepreneurship, redefining education and creating opportunities for middle and high school students in under-resourced communities.
BUILDFest Bay Area – Thursday, May 9, 2024
Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 9th as BUILDFest Bay Area takes center stage at the beautiful Northeastern University, Oakland campus from 5-8pm PT. Witness four high school finalist teams from across the Bay Area pitch their innovative business ideas to VIP judges, competing for a chance to secure cash prizes and all the glory! Join us for a day of inspiration and empowerment as we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Bay Area’s youth.
BUILDFest SWPA – Wednesday, May 15, 2024
On Wednesday, May 15th, the energy at the Energy Innovation Center will be palpable as student business teams and educators gather for BUILDFest SWPA, the culminating event of the 3rd Annual SWPA Youth Pitch Competition! Be there to witness the final three teams go head-to-head in front of VIP judges for a chance to win cash prizes and start-up funds! This event also features a pre-showcase of semi-finalist team business ideas. It’ll be a celebration of creativity, innovation, and local youth entrepreneurship!
BUILDFest Los Angeles – Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Save the date of Tuesday, May 21st as BUILDFest Los Angeles takes center stage at Loyola Marymount University from 5-8pm PST. Three high school finalists out of more than 35 across LAUSD will compete in the final round, where they’ll pitch their business ideas to VIP judges and the BUILD community. Don’t miss this historic event celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Los Angeles. This year’s BUILDFest includes an exciting dialog featuring VIP Judges sharing real world expertise using AI and Gamification to transform Education.
BUILDFest D.C. – Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Join BUILD Metro DC on May 22nd for our annual BUILDFest Pitch Challenge hosted at the Capital Turnaround in SW DC. This multi-part annual event represents the culmination of a year of hard work by our students and celebrates the transformative power of entrepreneurship through a business pitch competition. Student teams will present their business plans to an audience comprised of staff, judges, and community attendees. This event will also feature a Student Business Expo and Showcase where attendees will have the opportunity to meet BUILD’s student entrepreneurs and purchase their unique products.
BUILDFest Boston – Thursday, May 30, 2024
On Thursday, May 30th, Artist for Humanity – EpiCenter will come alive with the energy of teams from Boston and Randolph public schools pitching their business ideas. Event participants can also shop through incredible student products before the pitch event! Cheer on the top three teams as they compete for cash prizes and startup funds, showcasing the power of entrepreneurship to transform communities.
BUILDFest New York – Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Close out the BUILDFest season with a bang at BUILDFest New York on Wednesday, June 5th at the historic Andrew Freedman Home. This one-of-a-kind event will bring together innovative high school entrepreneurs from across New York City. Guests will have the opportunity to meet our youth and learn about their businesses at the Student Marketplace and the evening will conclude with a Shark Tank-like pitch competition.
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of BUILDing legacy and impact, shaping a future where every student’s potential is unleashed—one student at a time.
About BUILD.org
Founded in 1999, BUILD is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to use entrepreneurship to ignite the potential of youth from under-resourced communities to build Career success, Entrepreneurial Mindsets, and Opportunity. BUILD utilizes entrepreneurship education to elevate youth and propel them to academic and career success, while empowering them to become the CEOs of their own lives. BUILD offers programming in 53 cities across the country, has trained nearly 400 educators, and over 15,000 youth have participated in BUILD’s digital challenges and in-school entrepreneurship programming. For more information, visit www.build.org.
Media Contacts:
Julie Tumasz
BUILD, Marketing Team
jtumasz@build.org
571-481-8117
