BUILDFest Metro DC 2025

A night celebrating a legacy of 
BUILDing entrepreneurial leaders 
& transforming communities.

Wednesday, May 14

6:00 - 9:00PM EST

The Capital Turnaround

700 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Can't attend? Please consider making a gift.

A inspiring event celebrating 25 years of BUILDing legacy and impact.

BUILDFest, our culminating event of the year, celebrates the accomplishments of student entrepreneurs from across Metro DC. During the course of the evening, you will get a first-hand look at how BUILD’s entrepreneurship-based program is imbuing youth with the
skills they need for success in school, the workforce, and life.


Meet BUILD entrepreneurs at the Student Marketplace

At the Marketplace, you will have a chance to learn about the companies BUILD students have launched and buy their products.

Watch BUILD students shine at the Pitch Competition Finals

Share the excitement as the top four teams pitch their businesses, Shark Tank-style, before a panel of VIP judges. You’ll have a chance to vote for your favorite team.

Meet our DJ & MC for the night:

DJ Analyze

DJ Analyze is a fixture in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area as a popular club DJ and legendary on-air mixer for 93.9 WKYS-FM. 

 
His imaginative and diverse mixing skills and abilities have enabled him to spin for crowds ranging in musical genre and taste. His talent has taken him everywhere from deejaying parties for Lebron James (Las Vegas), Vernon Davis (San Francisco), parties in Cancun and the Bahamas, and several other weddings and celebrity events. Some DC staple venues of DJ residency include Love, Bliss, Decades, Hashtag Lounge, Felt, Stadium, Park at 14th, Public Bar, DC Tunnel, H20, Lux Lounge, Republic Gardens, Platinum, Dirty Bar, & more. DJ Analyze not only spins music, he produces as well. Some artists he produces for include: DJ Kool, IDK, 38 Special, Grafh and Wale. Currently, Analyze can be heard on WKYS-FM daily from 12 PM – 1 PM for the Midday Workout Show.
 
Be sure to follow him on Instagram and Facebook at @djanalyze. 
 
For booking, please visit goldbootent.com

Meet the Pitch Competition Judges

Amber Chenevert, PhD

Managing Director, Strategy & Insights, VML

Headshot of Lamar Cheston

Lamar K. Cheston

Actor, Writer, Director

Kenneth Ebie

Executive Director & Chief Development Officer, Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC)

Our Student Marketplace Businesses

Care Assist

 

CARE ASSIST

Travel bag that transforms intoa tent for the unhoused



 


HIGHLAX

Kit to comfort people who have a fear of flying

 

EARTH ESSENTIALS

Organic drink targeting hypertension in Black pregnant women

 

RIZO

Shampoo pod for those on the go

 

DISPLACED RESTAURANT

Sampler of Yemeni food made by immigrants to share cuisine and culture

 

SMUDGIES

Pen and whiteout combo



 

S3 MAGIC

Cleaning solution for sneakerheads everywhere



 

VISIONER

Ring, bracelet, earpiece combo to help vision impaired walk around


 

B RUSH

Tool to brush, detangle, and wash your hair 



IN THE PINK PRODUCE

Products made from hydroponic gardento help put and end to food deserts

 

ADORABEARS

Handmade, crocheted Teddy Bears to ground and calm people with neuro-divergent issues

 

 

black heart studios

Comic book company featuring Black characters The first comic is “Code of Deviants”

 

 

 

GIGI MK LOOKS

Build Alumnus Makeup Artist

Presenting Sponsor

As the lead sponsor of BUILDFest DC , your company will receive prominent onstage recognition during the evening's program. An executive from your company will announce the winners of the Pitch Competition and present the cash awards.

Pitch Competition Sponsor

Your sponsorship will support one of the three teams that will be competing in the Pitch Competition.

Student Business Sponsor

Your sponsorship will support one of the 20 student businesses that will be selling their products at the Student Marketplace

Bridging Communities Sponsor

Your sponsorship will support our efforts to bring communities together by covering the cost of food, beverage, and transportation to BUILDFest for teachers, students and their families.

BUILD Metro DC Partner Schools

A huge thank you to our school partners that continue to make impact throughout the year with our students.

Download a Sample of Our Curriculum

Fill out this form to receive a free sample of our curriculum and to receive occasional email updates on how to bring BUILD to your community.

VIDEO PREPARATION GUIDELINES

HOW TO RECORD

1. iPhone, iPad, Zoom and Loom are all choices of recording tools for their video presentation 
2. Record with both students and their presentation in view
3. Record horizontally for the best view of the students and their presentation
4. Follow Presentation Diagram to the Right

PRESENTATION TIPS.

- Make eye contact with the camera
- Notecards may be used as cue cards
•Pro Tip: Notecards should avoid having a full script
- Even when you are not speaking, don’t forget the camera is still recording!
•Be aware of your body language while you and your business partners are speaking
- Everyone has an opportunity to speak
- Professional dress is encouraged
- Practice makes perfect
•Practice how you will transition from each speaker
•Project your voice when you speak​

Follow positioning format Above

Download a Sample of Our Curriculum

Fill out this form to receive a free sample of our curriculum and to receive occasional email updates on how to bring BUILD to your community.