Los Angeles (May 18, 2023) – BUILD.org is excited to announce their partnership with Roku, a preeminent TV streaming platform, in hosting its inaugural BUILDFest Los Angeles (LA) Youth Pitch Challenge. This event will promote innovation, creativity and the power of entrepreneurship among under-resourced high school student teams in LA Public Schools. Roku is hosting the event on May 23rd from 4-7pm PST at their Santa Monica Office.
BUILDFest serves a platform to empower young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams to become our future leaders and changemakers. Seventy teams of BUILD High School students pitched their business ideas to volunteer judges at their schools this month in hopes of earning a final slot at the BUILDFest. Only three teams will make it to the end and compete in front of a panel of VIP judges and hundreds of BUILD community members for cash prizes. The BUILDFest VIP judges include Charles Choice, Director of Do-or-Dier Visionary Foundation; Colin McIntosh, CFO and COO, Revolt Media and TV; Paul Salazar, Luxury Estates Director, Paul Salazar Group; Stacey Politi, Founder, Accomplice, Inc. Roku has also offered to provide the winning team’s teacher with a gift of a 55″ 4K UHD Westinghouse Roku TV.
“Roku is a founding partner for BUILD in LA and has been an incredible collaborator as we quickly expanded our impact in the region,” said Michael Arellano, Program Director, BUILD LA. “Roku’s employees are empathetic as they have committed their time and energy to volunteer with our student teams. I’m excited to grow our partnership to provide more high school students with opportunities to build their entrepreneurial skills and mindset through engaging with Roku’s professionals. We are also grateful for their gift of a television at BUILDFest LA.”
Roku continuously endeavors to include diverse voices on its platform and provide customers with access to quality content. Through this partnership, Roku aims to leverage its extensive network and resources to provide young entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, mentorship and exposure to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
“BUILD in LA is one of Roku’s core Social Impact program partners, and we’re thrilled to host the inaugural BUILDFest LA at our Santa Monica Office. Over the past two years, more than 20 Roku employees served as volunteers and witnessed the tremendous impact BUILD’s innovative curriculum has had on students’ learning and confidence,” said Leslie Lai, Director of Social Impact at Roku. “It is a privilege for us to celebrate these students and their teachers at this culminating event and beyond.”
