Countdown to the Inaugural SWPA Youth Pitch Competition!

Only one day left until the three finalist student teams present their final pitches for the first Southwestern Pennsylvania Youth Pitch Competition! 

This Thursday, May 5th from 10am – 2pm EST , the three finalist student teams will compete for $10,000 in prizes, a stipend for the winning school and organization, and the title of BUILD’s Inaugural Southwestern PA Youth Challenge Champion. The top three student teams come from McKeesport Area High School and Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship.

All students had the opportunity to participate in BUILD’s Design ChallengeThe Design Challenge, a free online curriculum from BUILD, is an innovative entrepreneurship program that helps underserved high school students discover their untapped talent and potential. It was created to inspire these students to use design thinking to solve real-world problems, tapping into their innate energy and imagination. 

The student teams from across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have spent the past month working on their pitches for a product, service, or campaign that provides a solution to support a thriving community. The prizes will be allocated to the teams as well as the schools and organizations they represent. 

Student teams will present their final pitch to a panel of judges including: Will Allen, Will Allen Foundation Founder and Former Pittsburg Steeler; Dr. Justin Aglio, Executive Director of the Readiness Institute at Penn State; Beth Crow, Director of Community Impact for Comcast – Keystone Region; Dean Richards, Philanthropy Fellow, BNY Mellon Foundation of SW Pennsylvania; Bobby Zappala, Program Officer of the Richard King Mellon Foundation; and Ayele Shakur, our very own CEO!

Join us for the Final Showcase Viewing Party on May 24th from 4-5pm EST to hear the winning pitches! Let’s support these students in their business youth pitch competition!

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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.