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CASE STUDIES

BUILD: supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship and funding

Expertise

Customer experience

Industry

Charities

Location

US

We’re committed to supporting our local communities and working with smaller charities and organisations; those where we can make a tangible impact. Our ongoing partnership with US-based organisation BUILD, a charity committed to supporting entrepreneurial students through mentorship and funding, is proof of just that. As BUILD’s guiding purpose aligns heavily with the pillars of our charity arm, The Elixirr Foundation (education, entrepreneurship and technology), our team were particularly excited about launching the partnership.

  • Outcome 1: $10,000 donated to fund student business and programming needs
  • Outcome 2: volunteered at New York & San Francisco high schools

The Challenge

Over the past year we partnered with US-based charity, BUILD, whose mission is to empower American youth through entrepreneurialism. It recognizes that opportunities for students are often limited by their zip code, race and class. The charity wants to ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, are prepared for the 21st century workforce.

To support students, BUILD runs a college readiness program. This uses entrepreneurship-based, experiential learning to ignite the potential of youth in under-resourced communities, equipping them for high school, college, and career success. By helping students develop and run their own small businesses, BUILD supplements traditional school with real-world business experiences and critical skill-building for the future, helping students to become the “CEO” of their own lives.

As our partnership began in peak-COVID times, BUILD’s ability to host virtual volunteering programs was another silver lining. London and Johannesburg based-employees were able to join US-based colleagues to participate in business plan competitions and mentoring virtually.

The Approach

Our main goal was to make a considerable impact both on the volunteering and fundraising front for BUILD.

Through one of BUILD’s student mentorship programs, our volunteers are paired with a group of high school students who’re working together to build and launch a business. Our role is to support them with guided feedback, each session focusing on a different business-related topic that ranges from writing challenge statements, to building a business plan, through to creating websites. Apart from the student group mentoring, we also participate in a business pitch competition. Our volunteers act as judges during this live event where students pitch their business ideas to a panel.

Over the past year we raised $10k for BUILD, which was used to help build prototypes of the students’ business ideas and to help pay for the funding of BUILD program teachers as well as the cost of students’ enrolment in the program. We did this in a couple of ways: through a ‘race to the equator’ sports event, a virtual pub quiz and a live auction.

The Impact

Many of our employees now volunteer with BUILD on a regular basis. Creating long term relationships is really important to us, and means we can help students’ see through their ideas. We’ve helped these students see their potential and develop entrepreneurial skills that will equip them for the working world, creating opportunities for individuals that otherwise wouldn’t have had access to them. In the long run, this will help build a new, diverse generation of leaders.

From our clients

“During the past two years, BUILD has forged a strong partnership with Elixirr in both our New York and San Francisco regions. We are thrilled that Elixirr has invested in our entrepreneurship-based college and career readiness program with its time, talent and treasure. Elixirr has supported our student entrepreneurs not only with a generous financial investment, but also by volunteering as judges and coaches at student showcase events. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Elixirr in the coming school year. Together we can empower youth from underserved communities to build career success, entrepreneurial mindsets, and opportunity as they become the CEOs of their own lives.”
Pamela Minetti – Director of Philanthropy BUILD, NYC
“The most fulfilling part of volunteering with BUILD is watching the students grow and gain a sense of self confidence over the course of the program. In one of the business pitching events I judged, this one boy revealed he struggles with a stutter. He delivered a flawless pitch, speaking clearly and really getting the audience excited about his group’s project. It was inspiring and exciting to see his development and how much he’s learned through BUILD.”
Allison Gist – Consultant Elixirr
“Working at Elixirr exposes you to some of the world’s best companies where you can help bring about groundbreaking change that disrupts global markets, but nothing quite beats spending some of your extra time helping those in a less fortunate place as you understand their capabilities so that they may go on a do great things. Volunteering with BUILD has given me a unique platform to really help and uplift a younger generation who are destined for greater things – it’s a pleasure working with them.”
Hugh MacGarvie – Analyst Elixirr

Get in touch

Are you a charity in need of support?

Our team at Elixirr have partnered with NGOs for over 10 years, harnessing a variety of capabilities, so we’d love to partner with you. Our team of experts can help you operate as efficiently as possible while exploiting data and technology to ensure you’re reaching your key audience groups.

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Clare Filby

Partner