Our Student Marketplace was buzzing as 18 student businesses marketed their products to over 200 BUILDFest guests. There was something for everyone, including hydroponically grown lettuce and cilantro, handmade teddy bears, coloring books to relieve stress, pet products, stress balls, and more!

Our MCs, Morgan Brennan,  co-anchor of CNBC’s “Closing Bell: Overtime” and Cornell Yarbrough, aka DJ Whutever, kept the energy up and the program running smoothly! Sybil Wells, Regional Executive Director of BUILD NYC, shared her aspirations for the program at her first ever BUILDFest and special guest, Bill Taylor, BUILD’s CEO, celebrated our students and their bright futures.

During the Pitch Competition, our three finalists Solar Satchel, Adorabears, and In the Pink Produce took the stage to pitch their business to a sensational panel of VIP judges! While the decision was close, In the Pink Produce, a female-owned business dedicated to solving the food desert crisis in their neighborhood, was declared the winner. They took home the grand prize of $1,000!

Our BUILD Alumni Mhia Guzman ended the evening with an inspirational look back on her four years with BUILD, sharing:
“It was at my own [Pitch Competition], where I was able to battle and conquer my relationship with fear. It was there that I learned that feeling a sense of fear was not only normal but a good sign. Fear indicates that you’re pushing yourself, it pushes you to do the big and scary things in life. Throughout my time at BUILD, I learned that I could do anything I put my mind to. BUILD pushed my limits and challenged me to aim higher than I had ever done before.”