The Business Plan Competition at OneNight OneBUILD is a multi-part event that represents the culmination of a year of hard work by our ninth-grade students and celebrates the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
Starting in early May, more than 20 teams of BUILD high school students will pitch their innovative business ideas to volunteer judges in hopes of earning a final slot at OneNight OneBUILD on May 22nd, at WeWork Navy Yard, 80 M Street, SE, Washington DC, from 6:30-8:30 PM. Only three teams will make it all the way. These finalists will compete in front of a panel of celebrity judges and 200 guests.
BUILD is dedicated to creating a more diverse future workforce by ensuring students in under-resourced communities have access to the mentorship, professional development opportunities, and funding they need to graduate high school, go to college, and launch successful careers. Starting in 9th grade, BUILD students work with their peers, teachers and business coaches to develop business ideas, pitch for seed funding, and launch real businesses. BUILD’s unique “Shark Tank”-style program offers students a four year entrepreneurship experience designed to develop 21st Century Skills and motivate low income youth to succeed in school.