“I’m proud of all of you who showed up today”, said our site director, Ryan Oliver, in his speech to 9th graders BUILDers. “Success is owning the decisions you make both good and bad.”

How does BUILD ignite the potential of youth in under-resourced communities? We challenge our students to pitch their business ideas and compete for real funding.

At BUILD, our students don’t practice making businesses— they create real ones.

Each showcase event is structured around a pitch competition. Our students present to a panel of judges made up of top leaders from the business, tech and civic community in Boston. Our judges then share their feedback on how to bring each student teams’ idea to the next level.

Check out the student business teams who pitched yesterday at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester!

Bobble Scents

Product Description: Bobble head air freshener
Pain Statement: “Buy a Bobble Scent because modern air fresheners are toxic to the environment and bobble heads are just too plain and boring.”
Target Audience: Sports and cartoon fans (ages 18+)

All About You

Product Description: Made-to-order custom perfume
Tagline: “We make you smell YOU-nique!”
Value Proposition: All About You allows our customers to create their own personal fragrance best suited for them.

Made Shades

Product Description: Limited edition custom-made sunglasses
Target Audience: 11-21 year old females
Judge’s comment: “My eleven year old daughter would love these!”

Tea Time

Product Description: Handcrafted mugs
Value proposition: “No one wants to drink from a bland old mug. So why not switch up and drink from a mug you admire!”

Support our young entrepreneurs as they get ready for the Youth Business Plan Competition on May 30^th. $25 is all it takes to help a student team create their first prototype!