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BUILDFest 2023

Celebrate how entrepreneurship is redefining education, creating opportunity, and transforming lives

About the event

Starting in early May through June 2023, there will be a BUILDFest in each BUILD region: Boston, California, Metro D.C, Pittsburgh, and NYC. More than 65 teams of BUILD high school students across those regions will pitch their innovative business ideas to volunteer judges in hopes of earning a final slot at The BUILDFest Pitch Challenge.  

These finalists will compete in front of a panel of VIP judges and hundreds of BUILD community members for cash prizes and start-up funds. This event will also feature a reception and Student Business Expo where guests will have the opportunity to meet BUILD’s student entrepreneurs and purchase their unique products. The event will be followed by a cocktail reception.

BUILD Community Outreach Email Template

Use these templates to email all of your peers, family, and colleagues about BUILDFest!
Dear [Name],

I [work for, mentor for, on the board of] BUILD.org, the top youth entrepreneurship program for communities that are under-resourced. It’s like “Shark Tank” for high school students. BUILD’s mission is to ignite the power of youth in under-resourced communities to build Career success, Entrepreneurial mindsets, and Opportunities. We help students become the CEO of their own lives!

  On [Date, Time] BUILD will host BUILDFest 2023, a celebration of entrepreneurship at a stunning venue located at [Location].  The evening will feature a Student Marketplace during cocktail hour and a Shark Tank-style Pitch Competition during dinner.  This promises to be a unique and action-filled evening that will be attended by many entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, leading members of the business community, and educators.  Of course, the stars of the evening will be BUILD student entrepreneurs.

Please consider supporting BUILD’s important work by purchasing tickets to BUILDFest.  Participation as an Entrepreneurship Champion offers [Company X] a unique opportunity to associate its brand with a pioneering nonprofit and create tremendous goodwill in the community.

For your review, I am attaching materials describing the event and outlining ticket levels and benefits.  I  will follow up with you next week.  In the interim, if you have questions, feel free to reach out to [insert contact information of either yourself or a BUILD Staff of your region].

Dear [Name],

 As you may know, I’m incredibly proud of my work as a board member of BUILD.org for the last [x] yearsBUILD’s mission is to ignite the power of youth in under-resourced communities to build Career success, Entrepreneurial mindsets, and Opportunities. We help students become the CEO of their own lives!    I am excited to invite you (and your family) to join me as my guest on [Date, Time] at BUILDFest [Region, Address].

This BUILDFest event will feature powerful student stories from BUILD’s high school entrepreneurs as they share their personal journeys creating solutions for the greatest challenge of our century.  BUILDFest will also host a business pitch competition between the youth teams who will show their passions and innovation to a panel of judges. You can even vote for your favorite teams!

 

Please reply to this email and let me know if you are able to attend. You must also register here [Insert the BUILDFest registration link of your region] to receive the event link and to show your support for youth entrepreneurship.

When: [Enter Information]

Where: [Enter Information]

Who: You, your friends and family, and a community of entrepreneurs from around the world!

Social Media

Sample social messages and posts for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Text. Add your corresponding regional BUILDFest links!
Change isn’t inevitable. It’s intentional. Support the young entrepreneurs who are turning moments into movements. Hear the stories of the young change-makers, risk-takers, and trailblazers across the nation.

[Insert your regional BUILDFest link].

It is the time. Let’s redefine everything. Think with a fresh perspective. It will require all of us to inspire and build a new generation to lead us. Are you ready to meet that new generation of entrepreneurs? Join us on [Date] for BUILDfest 2023. [Insert BUILDFest Link]

We have discussed the importance of supporting racial equity and social justice. If you believe in the power of entrepreneurship and education to drive change, consider supporting BUILD.org. BUILD is a fantastic organization that inspires the next generation of innovators, trailblazers, and change-makers through the power of entrepreneurship!

 

To learn more, please join me in celebrating youth entrepreneurship by attending BUILDFest and visiting [Insert BUILDFest link here]. Register to attend BUILDFest on [Date, Time, Location]. 

Need more media information about BUILD?

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.