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

Register Here

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 the Pitch Competition Judges

Dora Gougoufkas

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

Capital One

Dora Gougoufkas

Dora Gougoufkas is the Managing VP and Chief of Staff at Capital One. Dora has previously worked as the Structured Transactions Director at Freddie Mac, as well as a Senior Product Manager and Associate in JP Morgan Chase's EAME Treasury Products and Management Development Program, respectively. Dora has over 15 years of experience in the financial sector and has been instrumental in various projects and initiatives throughout their career.

Dora Gougoufkas attended Villanova University for their Bach in International Business. Dora then went on to The Wharton School for Executive Education in High-Potential Leaders: Accelerating Your Impact. After that, they attended Cass Business School for their Masters in Shipping, Finance & Trade. Dora then got a Certificate in Cybersecurity from MIT Sloan Executive Education. Finally, they got an Executive Certificate in Sustainable Finance & ESG investing from NYU Stern School of Business.

Dora's Bio

Dr. Johnny Graham

Assistant Professor, Marketing Department

Howard University School of Business

Dr. Johnny Graham

Dr. Johnny Graham is an assistant professor in the Marketing Department at the Howard University School of Business where he has taught numerous courses including Principles of Marketing, Multicultural Marketing, and Marketing Analytics. He also created and teaches the department’s Marketing for Startups course, which helps student entrepreneurs develop their business ventures and prepare for external business funding opportunities. In 2021, Dr. Graham was presented the “Excellence in Teaching” award for the Howard University School of Business, a distinction given to top-ranked professors for classroom teaching. He has also served as the co-chair of HU Empower, an annual business pitch competition that provides student entrepreneurs with startup funding. 

He has published and presented his research on the influence of culture in marketing communications through several mediums including the Psychology & Marketing journal, the Routledge Companion to Brand Management, the Association for Consumer Research Conference,  and the Handbook of Intra-Cultural Marketing.

Dr. Graham received his PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from the Temple University Fox School of Business. While at Temple, he was also awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award, along with several awards for his doctoral research. Prior to attending Temple, Dr. Graham attended University of Maryland-College Park, as a Banneker Key-Scholar and Dean’s Scholar. He graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and MBA with a specialization in Marketing and Strategy.

Outside of his academic interests, Dr. Graham is also co-founder of the Our D.R.E.A.M. Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides entrepreneurship programming, mentorship, and startup funding to high school students in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. 

Dr. Johnny's Bio

Kevin Perry

Management Consultant – Advisory Senior Associate, Financial Services

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

Kevin Perry

Kevin Perry currently works for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the financial services industry, specializing in banking. With a robust eight years of industry experience, Kevin has spent the last four years honing his expertise within the dynamic environment of PwC. 

A proud alumnus of Delaware State University, Kevin holds degrees in accounting and an MBA, a testament to his dedication to continuous learning. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Kevin brings a unique perspective and regional insight to his work. Kevin's commitment extends beyond the corporate landscape; he has actively participated in various committees and boards, showcasing his dedication to community engagement. 

In a remarkable entrepreneurial venture, Kevin founded a men's luxury suit business, driven by a noble cause—supporting the professional development of minorities. Kevin Perry's professional journey reflects a harmonious blend of financial acumen, community involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Kevin's Bio

Ray Benton   

CEO

Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC)

Ray Benton

As one of the most successful and experienced executives in the tennis industry, Benton’s lifelong commitment to the sport began in Iowa where he started playing at the age of fifteen. During his years in college and the US Army he worked as an instructor in a variety of venues including public parks, country clubs and as the Varsity Tennis coach at Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

In 2008 Ray became the CEO of the Junior Tennis Champions Center and the College Park Tennis Club in College Park, Maryland. Since his arrival the Center has seen graduates earn over seven million dollars in college tennis scholarships. The organization has been the recipient of the USTA’s Development Program of the Year, the USTA Organization of the Year and the USTA Facility of the Year.

Benton was a founder of ProServ, a leading sports management and marketing firm, and served as its President. The company managed top athletes including Arthur Ashe, Tracy Austin, Michael Jordan, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Yannick Noah, Payne Stewart and Dave Winfield. Benton directed the Volvo Grand Prix, the Volvo Masters at Madison Square Garden and was the Tournament Director of over 100 major events.

In 1993 he created the Nuveen Tour, the first commercially successful worldwide senior tennis circuit which featured Connors, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and other legends of the game. The tour grew to 22 events, drew over 500,000 spectators annually, was telecast on major television networks and raised over 35 million dollars in corporate sponsorships.

As the first National Executive Director of the National Junior Tennis League, Benton led the organization’s growth from three cities to 50 chapters. He was elected to the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame in 2005 and has served on the governing boards of both the men’s and women’s professional tennis association. He represented the North American Tournament Directors on the Men’s International Professional Tennis Council and the Top Twenty players on the WTA Board.

Benton earned a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

Ray's Bio

BUILD Region 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

Download Full Sponsorship Packet

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.
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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.