BUILDFest NYC 2024

A night celebrating a legacy of

BUILDing entrepreneurial leaders

& transforming communities.

Wednesday, June 5

6:00 - 9:00PM EST

The Andrew Freedman Home

1125 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10452

Can't attend? Please consider making a gift.

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Join us at our year-end celebration on June 5th.

BUILDFest, our culminating event of the year, celebrates the
accomplishments of student entrepreneurs from across New York City. 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.

BUILDing Entrepreneurial Leaders. Transforming Communities.

Meet BUILD entrepreneurs at the Student Marketplace, where you

will have a chance to learn about their companies and buy their

products.

One Student at a Time.

Share the excitement as the top three student teams pitch their businesses, Shark Tank—style before VIP judges. You’ll have a

chance to vote for your favorite team.

Meet our DJ for the night:

DJ Whutever

DJ Whutever is a Bronx NY native, and former student of BUILD NYC Regional Executive Director, Sybil Wells, who has quickly become a household name. He’s the official DJ for the iHeart Music Festival in Las Vegas, as well as Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, and one of the most sought after DJ’s for corporate events & parties across the United States.

You can find him hosting his on-air weekly show on iHeart Radio in New York and Boston, while also spinning at some of the biggest parties and festivals around the globe. He has been seen and heard on Good Morning America, MTV, BET and many other national platforms.

Also an advocate for higher education, DJ Whutever tours campuses nationwide hitting the turntables and doing speaking engagements for students. In 2017, DJ Whutever created the Whutever it Takes Academy, an after school program that teaches students the art of the DJ. The program has been featured on national news, and in its 5th year continues to grow and help children across the United States.

Meet the Pitch Competition Judges

Lamar K. Cheston

Actor, Writer, Director

Our Student Marketplace Businesses

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

BUILD NYC Annual Partners

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

Be an event sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

As the lead sponsor of BUILDFest NYC, 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 16 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.