BUILDFest Metro DC 2024

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

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

6:00 - 9:00PM EST

Capital Turnaround

700 M St SE, Washington, DC

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

At BUILDFest 2024, we’re not just commemorating a legacy; we’re embracing a future where every student has the opportunity to become an entrepreneurial leader.

 

Starting this Spring, teams of BUILD high school students representing DC Public Schools will pitch their innovative business ideas to volunteer judges in hopes of earning a final slot at our 25th Anniversary milestone BUILDFest Challenge. These talented finalists will compete in front of a panel of VIP judges and hundreds of BUILD community members for cash prizes and start-up funds. 


BUILDing Entrepreneurial Leaders. Transforming Communities.

Join us as we journey through a quarter century of impact, witness the brilliance of today’s student entrepreneurs, and together, shape a future where every student’s potential is unleashed and every community thrives. 

One Student at a Time.

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.

SHOP YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PRODUCTS

Meet BUILD’s student entrepreneurs and  go home with some of their unique, innovative gifts! 

GET INSPIRED BY STUDENT PITCHES

Shark Tank for Teens! Which finalist team will take home the big check?

CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY

Cheer on top individuals in the community as we recognize leaders in education and philanthropy!

Meet our DJ 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

Dora Gougoufkas

Managing Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Commercial Banking President

Capital One

Dr. Johnny Graham

Assistant Professor, Marketing Department

Howard University School of Business

Kevin Perry

Management Consultant – Advisory Senior Associate, Financial Services

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Ray Benton   

CEO

Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC)

Christelle Louis 

Startup Partner Development Specialist

Amazon Web Services  

Our Student Marketplace Businesses

Nature's Law

Intimate apparel, hoodies and sweatpants

Vibing Light

Glow in the dark candles

Projectz

Hoodies and T-Shirts

Smell Good!

Candles

Sweet Escape Scented Scrubs

Sugar Scrubs

SEED Essentials

Sugar Scrubs

CCKL

Shirts and hoodies for cancer patients, survivors, and loved ones

Evol

“Love spelled backwards” – Positive messaging t-shirts and hoodies

BUILD Region Annual Partners

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

Capital Sponsor

Lead sponsor recognition, Premium seating for 20, Invite to present winning cash prize, invite to be one of the four BUILDFest Judges

Monument Sponsor

Sponsor recognition, Premium seating for 10, Invite to intro top team, option for single day virtual engagement for up to 5 employees

Sales Expo Sponsor

Sponsor recognition at sales expo, premium seating for 6, Invite for leader to visit a classroom for a student engagement opportunity

Student Business Sponsor

=Sponsor recognition for one team, premium seating for 4

BUILD Region 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.