INVESTORS & PARTNERS
A $5M opportunity to invest in the future of skilled trades education — backed by cultural capital, proven models, and massive market demand.
THE OPPORTUNITY
500,000+
Workers needed in construction in 2026 alone. The industry needs 456,000 more in 2027 — a 30.7% increase.
$10.8 Billion
Annual economic cost of the skilled labor shortage in construction, according to the Home Builders Institute.
67% Increase
Demand for HVAC engineers has surged 67% since 2022, driven by the AI data center construction boom.
THE AI DISRUPTION
While AI is displacing millions of white-collar jobs, it is simultaneously creating a massive boom in the skilled trades. The construction of data centers and upgraded electrical infrastructure has driven demand for HVAC engineers up by 67% and general construction roles by 30% since late 2022.
The trades are highly AI-resistant. Building Building Academy Trades sits at the perfect intersection of this labor shortage and the AI-driven infrastructure boom, offering an incredibly secure and lucrative career pathway for students — and a compelling investment thesis for partners.
CORPORATE SYNERGIES
Home Depot
The Home Depot Foundation has invested tens of millions in their Path to Pro program to broaden access to skilled trades training. We leverage our existing relationship with Home Depot to create direct pipelines for equipment sponsorships, curriculum collaboration, and graduate employment.
Source: Home Depot Corporate, 2025-2026
Lowe's
The Lowe's Foundation announced a $250 million investment to train 250,000 skilled tradespeople by 2035. CEO Marvin Ellison called skilled trades "critical to the future." Building Building Academy Trades is an ideal partner to help deploy this capital effectively.
Source: Lowe's Corporate Newsroom, April 2026
THE DESI BANKS ADVANTAGE
Customer acquisition is the highest cost for traditional trade schools. We bypass this entirely through the unparalleled organic reach of co-founder Desi Banks.
National Road Tour Strategy
Desi Banks maintains a rigorous schedule of national comedy road tours. These tours will double as massive promotional vehicles for the Academy — executing targeted local marketing, VIP meet-and-greets, and "Future Builder" scholarships in every city.
This creates a national footprint with minimal traditional advertising spend, giving investors an unmatched customer acquisition advantage.
$5M BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Seed Capital Allocation
Campus Buildout & Equipment
Atlanta facility with state-of-the-art HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry labs.
Technology & Virtual Platform
AI chatbot, VR training modules, and comprehensive online learning management system.
Marketing & Road Tour
Content production, digital advertising, and Desi Banks' national road tour integration.
Curriculum & Accreditation
Master tradespeople, business experts, and state/federal accreditation.
Operations & Staffing
First-year salaries for admin staff, admissions, and facility management.
Working Capital Reserve
Contingency funds for smooth operations during the first 12 months.