The right circle can change your circumstances in the blink of an eye!
Calling all early-stage, pre-seed, and seed founders — join the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle to build for the future alongside a network that could lead to your next investor or co-founder. This membership aligns with our mission to empower Black entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed and drive innovation across industries, including fintech, medtech, and consumer tech.
Perks
The sky’s the limit! Your direct participation in the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle gives you access to exclusive perks, including office hours with top venture capitalists investing in Black-led startups. These experts will leverage their experience to help you refine your pitch, fundraising strategy, and business model.
One of the featured VCs is Aaron Samuels, founder and managing partner of Collide Capital, who will host office hours at 1 p.m. PST on Tuesday, March 4.
“Founders Circle has been tremendous because there’s truly nothing like it right now,” Spill Founder Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell said. “We talk about the dearth of venture capital investing in Black and brown founders. And to have a group, a collective, where you can come together, ask questions, regardless of whatever stage you’re at in your journey, is invaluable.”
Other perks include high-impact pitch practice sessions, where you’ll learn the nuances of storytelling to streamline your vision, secure meetings, and close deals. These sessions will feature leaders like Shehab Heddaya, early-stage investor and innovation partnerships manager at Plug & Play Tech Center. Even if your pitch is already strong, we’ll help make it investor-ready.
We also recognize that your network is your net worth. As an AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle participant, you’ll receive a complimentary Premier-Level ticket to the AFROTECH™ Conference with guaranteed access to premium networking lounges. Additionally, connect with entrepreneurs, technologists, and business leaders at AFROTECH™ Meetups across the nation and exclusive Founders Circle gatherings — because another “pick your brain” session won’t build your startup, but real connections will.
“The connection, the network, just being able to meet other C-suite entrepreneurs, it really just kinda put a battery pack in my back,” explained Mykel B. Davis, founder of Muscle Up Mommy.
Apply Today
Interested in becoming a part of the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle? Apply today!
“We built the AFROTECH™ Insider Founders Circle because raising capital, scaling a startup, and building the right network shouldn’t be a closed-door process,” expressed Blavity Inc. Founder And CEO Morgan DeBaun. “Our goal is to equip founders with the resources, connections, and investor insights they need to take their business to the next level. This isn’t just about getting funding — it’s about being prepared to lead and scale with confidence. We can’t wait to support you, help refine your pitch, and make sure you have the tools to reach that next revenue milestone.”
