Q1 2026 Venture Conference

​Full Conference Agenda

• ​9:00–10:00 AM — Doors Open & Startup Exposition
  Meet emerging startups led by Black founders and allies as they showcase their products, innovations, and early traction.

• ​10:00–10:15 AM — Welcome & Sponsor Announcements
  Opening remarks and recognition of the partners helping make the conference possible.

• ​10:15–11:00 AM — Keynote: Rahsaan Freeman
  Beginning With the Exit in Mind
  A strategic look at how founders can design companies that are buyer-ready from the start by aligning capital, governance, and growth decisions with long-term outcomes.

• ​11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Panel: Service Providers — When and Why
  Startup experts discuss when founders should bring in legal, finance, accounting, marketing, talent, and advisory partners—and how to do it in ways that reduce risk and preserve valuation.

• ​12:00–1:30 PM — Lunch Workshop: Understanding your B2C Customer
  A networking lunch followed by an interactive session on understanding customers, incorporating real-world feedback, and building relationships that drive adoption and retention.

• ​1:30–2:45 PM — Dreamward Event Fund Demo Day Finals
  Watch finalist startups pitch live for a $50K–$100K investment prize from the Dreamward Event Fund, followed by audience voting.