"Standing on that stage and sharing our work was nerve-wracking, an honor and an important milestone … It is encouraging to know that this is not really an ending, but the beginning of an ongoing relationship."

— Deborah Sawaf, Cohort 1.0

A nudge goes further than you'd think#

Our first cohort took ideas from concept to the BUILD stage in six months. What happened next is the best argument for how this program works: since pitching at BUILD 2026, Corps members have landed clients, funding, national conference stages, and new roles. A few examples:

Sophie Levy | The Magnet Collective#

Sophie pitched The Magnet Collective (TMC) at BUILD 2026. Six months later it's a real organization: a nonprofit arm with its own board of directors, a pipeline of more than 30 prospective clients - eight in active talks for TMC's flagship fellowship - and, as of this summer, a first full-fellowship client and an AI tool partner. Her pilot results held up, too: six months out, 100% of participants were still using TMC's framework. She has published three pieces on AI and collaboration, is speaking at national conferences including NYC SHRM and the Points of Light Conference, and is in conversations with corporate partners she met through our network. Wow!

Sonya Sharififard | Food Systems#

Sonya took her food systems project from Friday feedback sessions to a national stage, presenting it at the AFHVS conference at the University of Vermont to more than 640 attendees, with our partner Sodexo sponsoring the event and keynote and trading notes with industry, government, and community leaders working across New England's food infrastructure.

Akriti Asthana | Salad Bowl#

Akriti's Salad Bowl tech stack was funded through a connection made in the program, and the momentum carried further: she's now in a full-time alumni fundraising role at Yale University. In her words:

"I'm so grateful I met you all when I needed it the most — the support and encouragement I received from this group of brilliant people has been a lifeline."

— Akriti Asthana, Cohort 1.0

And the rest of the cohort#

Other members left BUILD with in-person introductions to potential funders, sharpened plans for AI-powered ventures, and decks we continue to circulate to funders, clients, and journalists. Even though the program ends, the relationships you build don't.