Founder House at AfroTech 2025
Transparent Collective x Venture 313: Founder House at AfroTech 2025
AfroTech is the largest annual gathering of Black tech professionals, founders, and investors in the country. But for many founders, even at an event built for our community, breaking into venture capital networks and accessing real fundraising opportunities can still feel out of reach.
Transparent Collective (TC) and Venture 313 are working together to change that.
We’re bringing our proven founder programming to Houston during AfroTech 2025—meeting our community where they already gather—to give underrepresented founders the strategies, tools, and investor connections they need to raise venture capital and scale their startups.
Our goal: help more founders leave AfroTech with real momentum toward closing their next round.
Through a focused, one-day event, we’ll deliver tactical fundraising workshops, direct investor access, and a supportive founder community—all designed to help founders navigate the fundraising journey with confidence and clarity.
🔥 Only 30 founders will be selected—apply now for a chance to join!
Location
To be announced to confirmed attendees closer to the event.
Who Should Apply
This program is for underrepresented tech founders—including Black, Latinx, and women entrepreneurs—who are actively building or scaling a startup and looking to raise a Seed round of funding. If you’re a pre-seed to pre-Series A founder serious about fundraising, refining your pitch, and gaining direct access to investors, we hope to see you in Austin!
Why Join?
🚀 Proven Program for Startup Success – Our workshops and hands-on sessions have helped founders raise millions in funding and successfully scale their companies.
🤝 Direct Access to Investors & Experts – Get face-to-face time with top investors, industry leaders, and partners who are committed to backing diverse entrepreneurs.
🏡 A Curated Hub for Founders – Our exclusive Founder House will serve as the central space for networking, workshops, and relationship-building in a supportive, high-energy environment.
🔑 Fundraising & Growth Strategies – Learn real, actionable strategies to refine your pitch, secure funding, and take your startup to the next level.
This is more than just another networking event—it’s a launchpad for founders ready to take their companies to the next level. We’re bringing our field-tested program to Austin to give underrepresented founders the access, insights, and investor connections they need to thrive.
⭐️ Spots are limited—apply now to be part of this exclusive opportunity!
Learn from the Best
This program brings together some of the brightest minds in startups, investing, and venture funding, including:
🚀 Harold Hughes – Founder of NFNTE Capital, Serial Tech Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, and Startup Advisor
🚀 James Norman – CEO at Pilotly, GP at Black Ops Ventures, Partner at Transparent Collective
🚀 Venture 313 – A platform providing Detroit entrepreneurs with up to $250K in funding, capital, and support to launch and scale their businesses.
🚀 Transparent Collective – A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping Black, Latinx, and women founders gain access to capital, connections, and resources to build successful startups. 65% of our program graduates go on to raise VC funding, totaling over $125M to date.
Program Agenda
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Kickoff & Coffee: Settle In for an Epic Day (Arrival & Check-In)
Settle in, grab coffee & breakfast, and get ready for a high-impact day.
8:50 AM | Opening Remarks
Welcome and set the tone for the day ahead.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Unlocking Social Capital at AfroTech This session will teach founders how to strategically navigate AfroTech, build meaningful connections, and leverage social capital to unlock new opportunities for growth and funding.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Show Me the Money: Fundraising 101
A deep dive into the fundraising journey, covering what investors expect, how to structure a successful raise, and common pitfalls to avoid.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Startup Hacks: Running Your Business Like a Pro
Learn the key operational strategies that set successful startups apart—covering hiring, financial planning, product execution, and scaling efficiently.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Founder’s Table: A Power Lunch with Impact
Enjoy a family-style lunch while engaging in meaningful conversations with investors and experienced founders.
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Legal Talk: Cap tables and Board management
Hosted by Gunderson Dettmer, this session unpacks the legal side of building a company—from cap tables to board governance—giving founders practical tools to manage equity and decision-making with clarity.
Transition Period
2:30 PM – 2:30 PM AI & Storytelling for Founders
Learn how to craft an investor-ready narrative and leverage AI tools to refine your pitch.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Storytelling Deep Dive: Nailing Your Narrative
Refine your company story for maximum investor impact.
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Wrap Up: Key Insights & Next Steps
Close out the day with key takeaways and next steps to help you move forward with confidence.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Big Ideas Lab: Founder Whiteboard Jam (INVITE ONLY)
An interactive white boarding session where selected founders tackle real business challenges in real time, with live problem-solving and expert feedback.
How It Works:
✔️ Sign up now on our event registration page.
✔️ We’ll review applications and select 30 founders to participate.
✔️ If accepted, you’ll receive an invitation with event details.
About Transparent Collective
Transparent Collective is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps Black, Latin, and women founders access the resources and connections they need to build successful tech companies.
We began with the mission to solve a fundamental problem plaguing Silicon Valley: that less than 1% of VC Funding is invested in Black and Latino founders.
In 2015, James Norman started TC after personally experiencing and recognizing the harsh reality that raising money to grow tech startups as a non-white male in Silicon Valley was an uphill battle. James brought together an incredible team, Rohini Pandhi and Lara McKeithan, to build a community of startup founders who could talk candidly about their unique challenges and explore fundraising strategies to help them succeed. Hence, the name Transparent Collective.
Our first batch of founders came through our program in 2016, and since then, we have had a competitive application process for our week-long intensive program in San Francisco that touches on all the key aspects of founding and running an early-stage startup.
Our Impact to Date:
92 TC Alumni
65% of Founders Have Raised VC Funding
9% of Alumni have been Acquired
$125M+ Early-Stage Funding Raised to Date
About Venture 313
Venture 313 is a powerful platform designed to help Detroit, Michigan entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Backed by a $10 million, three-year commitment from founding partners TechTown, Invest Detroit, and the Detroit Development Fund, it provides critical capital, coaching, and community. With investments ranging from $500 to $250,000, the platform offers both grants and equity-like funding tailored to the needs of businesses, large or small. This initiative aims to empower local entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
Through Venture 313, participants also gain access to unique programming and networking opportunities, further supporting their growth. Entrepreneurs can create a profile and complete a personalized journey planner to receive a Playbook specifically designed to guide them through their venture-building process. This tailored approach ensures that each business gets the guidance and support it needs to thrive.
Venture 313 is part of a larger $500 million effort by the Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund to foster economic growth in Detroit’s neighborhoods. The initiative is not only about funding, but also about shifting the mindset within the community to encourage entrepreneurship and long-term wealth-building.
By equipping more Detroiters with the tools to start successful businesses, Venture 313 aims to make a lasting impact on the city’s economic future.