W.E. Build 2024 Recap 2024

W.E. Build, Build in Tulsa's business accelerator, has wrapped up another incredible cohort.

Naomi Sanon

Written by Naomi Sanon
Last updated Jan 10, 2025

Ashley Yearby, the founder of STB Technologies, pitches her company at W.E. Build DEMO Day 2024 in Tulsa. Photograph by Rachelle Champlain for Build in Tulsa

W.E. Build (Women Entrepreneurs Build), Build in Tulsa's business accelerator, has wrapped up another incredible cohort, centered on empowering women entrepreneurs from communities that have historically been denied access to funding and resources. Running for 15 transformative weeks from July to October, the W.E. Build program was designed to not only help founders advance professionally but also foster personal growth and build companies that will catalyze multi-generational wealth.

The W.E. Build cohort 2 gathers on stage during Demo Day 2024, marking a milestone for women entrepreneurs in Tulsa. Photograph by Rachelle Champlain for Build in Tulsa

Powered by Goldman Sachs' One Million Black Women Initiative, W.E. Build is on a mission to empower diverse founders, early-stage startups over the next two years to launch scalable ventures in Tulsa, OK. Through this program, women entrepreneurs are equipped with the resources, skills, and network they need to succeed.

Ashli Sims, Managing Director, and Desiree Frieson, Director of Programs, address the audience at W.E. Build Demo Day 2024 in Tulsa. Photograph by Rachelle Champlain for Build in Tulsa

W.E. Builders' Benefits Include:

  • A $25,000 non-dilutive business award
  • 3 months of comprehensive business training
  • Networking and mentorship opportunities
  • Free legal and accounting services
  • Coworking space and conference room access
  • Laptops and internet connectivity
  • Financial education
  • Cost of living stipends for housing, childcare, and health care
  • Bi-weekly mental health counseling

Desiree Frieson, director of programs, is joined on stage by Naomi Sanon, program manager of W.E. Build, during Demo Day 2024 in Tulsa. Photograph by Rachelle Champlain for Build in Tulsa

This year, seven extraordinary companies from the CPG and Tech industries participated in the second W.E. Build cohort. Over the past 15 weeks, our founders learned critical lessons, including the importance of hiring slowly and firing quickly, embracing change and pivoting when necessary, and recognizing that every business journey is unique. They also mastered the significance of maintaining an updated data room, tracking visitor activity, and exploring various funding sources to fuel their businesses.

Some key achievements from this year’s cohort include the creation of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), securing two contracts with a local organization in Tulsa, implementing a sales strategy that generated revenue within the 9-weeks of program, and forming invaluable community partnerships. Wow—what an incredible journey!

"This has been a life-changing moment. I've gone through accelerators that don’t even scratch the surface of what W.E. Build provided. Thank you!" - Ashley Yearby Founder of STB Technologies

Jasmine Lewis, founder of Vie Beauty, stands at her display table featuring the products she pitched during W.E. Build Demo Day 2024 in Tulsa. Photograph by Rachelle Champlain for Build in Tulsa

Learn More About Our Cohort 2 founders by watching their pitches:

We are so proud of the progress our founders have made and look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and scale their businesses. Stay tuned for more updates as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys!

Watch The W.E. Build Demo Day 2024 Recap

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