At just 16 years old, most teenagers are focused on school, sports, or social media. But Gustavo Campos—better known as “Guga”—has a different mission: to teach his generation about entrepreneurship and other fundamental business principles. Born into a family of investors, Guga grew up surrounded by discussions about finance, economics, and business creation. However, he quickly realized that not everyone has the privilege of learning these concepts at home, or even at school.
With a keen sense of purpose and a generous spirit, he set out to change that and make business education accessible to everyone. That’s how BizBuild was born—a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people understand business, finance, and investing, and, most importantly, creation. “Schools teach math, science, and literature, but almost none teach entrepreneurship or how to start something innovative. I want to change that,” says Guga.
Revolutionizing Financial Education for the Next Generation
BizBuild is taking a modern, engaging approach to the difficult-to-navigate world of business, leveraging social media and friendly competition to educate and inspire young minds. Through a league-like format called BizLeague and engaging social media content, the organization breaks down complex financial concepts into easy-to-understand, hands-on content. One of the project’s biggest draws is its interactive approach to education. Guga has collaborated with many industry leaders to create business competitions for participating schools, where students dive into companies, sales, marketing, and financial trends in ways that resonate with young audiences. But BizBuild isn’t just about business—it’s about helping others.
Guga is expanding the initiative into underprivileged schools, communities, and even Third-World countries by inviting already-formed BizBuild Chapters—student-led study groups focused on business and networking—to work with these underprivileged kids and spread the knowledge they’ve gained. All 20 schools that are competing in monthly challenges to develop the best real-world business solutions are required to give back and help others. On top of that, students will have the unique opportunity to participate in a highly selective incubator called BizLab, where participants will be guided from idea to pitch and launch. They’ll receive mentorship from industry professionals who have gone through programs like Y Combinator, Harvard Business School, and other prestigious organizations. The ultimate goal is to help students seek funding to launch their for-profit or nonprofit organizations.
The Growing Need for Youth Entrepreneurship Education
The demand for youth entrepreneurship education has never been more evident. A study by Junior Achievement and Ernst & Young LLP found that 41% of teens would consider starting a business as a career option. However, only 6% of teen boys and 4% of teen girls have actually taken the step to launch their own business (JA USA). This gap between interest and action underscores the need for accessible programs like BizBuild, where students not only learn business fundamentals but also gain the confidence and support to turn their ideas into reality.
Growing a Movement Through Community Support
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BizBuild is funded through tax-deductible donations, making it easier for businesses and individuals to contribute. This allows the program to remain completely free for participants, ensuring that financial education is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. All funds raised are used to power more educational programs and support student-led initiatives. Guga firmly believes that BizBuild can change lives. “Financial education shouldn’t be a privilege,” he says. “I want every kid, no matter where they come from, to have access to knowledge that can shape their future.”
At just 16, Gustavo Campos is proving that you don’t need to wait until adulthood to make an impact. And with BizBuild’s rapid growth, he’s not just teaching young people about creation—he’s helping to shape the future itself.
See what they are doing and help them make an impact!
- Instagram: @bizbuildorg
- LinkedIn: BizBuild Organization Inc.
- Website: www.bizbuild.org
