From Classroom to Boardroom: Youth Entrepreneurs Take the National Stage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 13, 2026 – The next generation of American innovators is not waiting for graduation to launch their careers. Starting today, a series of high-stakes, high-energy events will put young entrepreneurs in the spotlight as they pitch real businesses to panels of judges, vying for funding and recognition. The national nonprofit BUILD is kicking off its 2026 BUILDFest Youth Pitch Competitions, a 'Shark Tank'-style tour de force that begins in the D.C. metro area before moving on to Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York City.

For more than a quarter of a century, BUILD has been working in under-resourced communities to ignite the potential of young people through entrepreneurship. BUILDFest is the program's capstone event, a live showcase where the culmination of a year's hard work, creativity, and resilience is put to the test. These are not just school projects; they are fully-fledged business plans presented by teenagers who have learned to think like CEOs, marketers, and financial planners.

The New 'Shark Tank' for American Youth

Forget reality TV; the drama and inspiration at BUILDFest are entirely authentic. Throughout May and June, student teams will step onto stages at prominent venues like Capital One Hall in Virginia and the BRIC House Arts and Media Center in Brooklyn. In front of an audience of business leaders, investors, and community members, they will have just minutes to sell their vision. The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity.

The competition format mirrors the popular television show, with students presenting their business models, fielding tough questions from a panel of VIP judges, and competing for prizes. Past events have seen a remarkable diversity of ideas. At the 2023 Southwestern Pennsylvania competition, the team behind Notable Apparel from Northgate Senior High School took home the top prize, while students from Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy earned the Comcast Young Entrepreneurs in Technology Award for their community-focused venture, Positive Teens.

These events are designed to be more than just competitions; they are vibrant celebrations of local talent and ingenuity. They serve as a crucial bridge, connecting ambitious youth with the professional networks and resources that can turn a fledgling idea into a viable enterprise. For many attendees, it is a first look at the future of American business, and the view is inspiring.

Forging Futures Beyond the Pitch

While the excitement of the pitch competition draws crowds, the true impact of BUILD's work is measured in the years that follow. The organization’s curriculum is meticulously designed to cultivate what it calls “Spark Skills”—communication, collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, grit, and self-management. These are the 21st-century competencies that experts agree are essential for success, regardless of one's chosen career path.

The results are evident in the stories of BUILD alumni. Take Hamid, a graduate of the New York City program who launched a successful business and is now a senior at Columbia University. Or Bianca, the self-proclaimed "little CEO" of her student team, who developed a product called "Stress Relief Bands." These young people are not just learning how to write a business plan; they are developing the confidence and self-agency to navigate their educational and professional lives.

BUILD’s support extends far beyond the classroom. Students gain practical career-readiness experience through networking events, resume-writing workshops, and job shadowing opportunities with corporate partners. The organization’s commitment to long-term success is profound, with the first cohort of BUILD NYC alumni having just celebrated their college graduations in 2024, a testament to the program’s enduring influence.

Future-Proofing the Workforce

The mission of BUILD taps into a larger national conversation about the future of work. As automation and global economic shifts transform industries, the skills that are in highest demand are precisely the ones fostered by entrepreneurial education. As Thais Rezende, President and Interim CEO of BUILD, stated, "As the future of work evolves faster than ever, one thing is clear: young people need entrepreneurial mindsets to thrive, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving."

This sentiment is backed by decades of research. A Gallup poll from years ago showed that a vast majority of high school students were interested in starting their own businesses, yet traditional education has often been slow to integrate entrepreneurship into its core curriculum. Programs like BUILD fill that critical gap, providing a structured pathway for students to explore their innovative instincts. By empowering youth from communities that have historically faced systemic barriers, the organization is also creating a more equitable and diverse pipeline of future leaders.

"At BUILD, we're not just helping students launch businesses; we're equipping them with the skills to navigate an uncertain world and shape what comes next," Rezende added. This approach is about future-proofing not just individual students, but the workforce as a whole.

A Community Investment in Innovation

The success of BUILDFest and the broader BUILD program is not a solo act. It is a testament to a powerful ecosystem of support involving corporate partners, mentors, and community leaders. Companies like Capital One, BNY Mellon, Adobe, and SVB/First Citizens Bank provide not only financial backing and event venues but also invaluable human capital. Employees volunteer as mentors, lead workshops, and serve as judges, offering students real-world insights and encouragement.

This collaborative model demonstrates a shared belief that investing in youth entrepreneurship is a direct investment in community vitality and economic growth. By providing the platform, the mentorship, and the initial seed of belief, BUILD and its partners are planting the seeds of innovation in cities across the country. The young entrepreneurs who take the stage at BUILDFest are the direct result of this community-wide effort, and their success sends a powerful ripple effect back into their schools and neighborhoods, inspiring others to build their own futures.