Black Futures
Black Futures: Founders, Funders & Allies in Tech
📍 Sausalito
🗓 Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we’re gathering to celebrate the Black founders and funders driving innovation in tech, and the allies who support and invest in this future.
Join us for an evening bringing together Black founders, funders, operators, and allies shaping the future of technology.
This gathering is designed to spark meaningful conversations around alternative funding pathways, the ecosystems and resources founders are leveraging, and the networks opening doors for underrepresented builders in tech. We’ll explore how founders are navigating capital beyond traditional routes and how community plays a critical role in long-term success.
Speakers include:
Brendah Njiru is a visionary tech entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of HOMY Robotics, a humanoid robotics company building emotionally intelligent robots designed to support senior care and independent living. With a background in neuroscience from Cornell University, where she conducted Alzheimer’s research with publications in leading scientific journals, including Nature and Brain, Brendah brings scientific depth to human-centered AI and robotics. She previously co-founded WEHEAD Robotics and builds technology at the intersection of AI, robotics, and human-centered care.
Anto Patrex is a tech entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of CosmicBrain AI, a company building the “brain” for physical intelligence. He began his career in the space industry before moving into frontier AI, where he worked on large-scale foundation models and data infrastructure at leading AI companies. Today, Anto focuses on robotics and embodied AI, developing platforms that enable robots to learn skills from video and scale across hardware. CosmicBrain AI is backed by firms including Andreessen Horowitz and Long Journey Ventures.
Bisi Obateru is a visionary tech entrepreneur and the Founder of JustiGuide, an AI-powered platform helping immigrants navigate complex immigration pathways through multilingual guidance, intelligent form completion, real-time expert connections, and access to qualified immigration lawyers. Recognized among TIME’s Best Inventions 2025, JustiGuide reflects Bisi’s mission to expand access and opportunity through technology. Bisi is also an angel investor at SHACK15 and builds at the intersection of AI, community, and global mobility.
More speakers to be announced.
Whether you’re a founder, investor, operator, or ally, this event is a space to connect, learn, and collectively invest in Black futures.
Come for the conversation.
Stay for the community.
Build the future together. 🚀
Event Schedule
6:00–6:45 PM — Arrival & Networking
Guest check-in, drinks, and informal networking.
6:45–7:00 PM — Welcome & Introduction
Hosted by Brendah Njiru and Bisi Obateru.
7:00–7:35 PM — Keynote Address
The Future of AI & Robotics
Exploring where AI stands today, how robotics is evolving across industries, and what the next 5–10 years may look like.
7:35–8:15 PM — Moderated Panel Discussion
How AI and Robotics Are Transforming Your Industry
Panelists will share how AI and robotics are impacting their sectors, real-world applications, key challenges, and future opportunities.
8:15–8:30 PM — Audience Q&A
8:30–10:00 PM — Post-Event Networking