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Our mission is to increase the number of successful black entrepreneurs in technology.
Black Founders is creating an ecosystem that stimulates tech entrepreneurship and fosters economic growth. We develop global programs that equip entrepreneurs, inspire innovation, and allow us to share resources.
More About UsPROGRAMS
These programs support our global mission of fostering entrepreneurship and tech inclusion.
Events
We love meeting fellow entrepreneurs and members of the tech community wherever you are. Black Founders hosts networking and educational events in San Francisco as well as cities like Atlanta, New York, and Austin.
Come out and share a drink with us. You never know where you’ll meet your next co-founder or investor.
Keep up with our events and meet us when we do something in your city.
HBCU Hackathons
In Silicon Valley, the hackathon is part of our culture, but many students at historically black colleges and universities have never had the chance to participate in one.
HBCUHacks is a weekend hackathon that gives students at HBCUs the opportunity to flex their coding skills while working together to build mobile apps and web software. During these hackathons, students can also connect with tech companies hiring for open positions.
HBCUHacks is open to all majors and we encourage all students to get involved. No previous programming experience is required to attend.
HBCUs produce approximately 20% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded to black students in engineering[*]
We have led hackathons at the following schools:
- Atlanta University Center Consortium (Clark-Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College)
- Howard University
- Morgan State University
[*] National Science Foundation Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering (2013)
Conferences
- Where: SF, NYC, ATLANTA, AUSTIN
Ideas Are Worthless is a conference to connect, educate, and inspire entrepreneurs toward execution. The conference brings together diverse perspectives on tech entrepreneurship from founders, investors, , while providing a platform for emerging companies, entrepreneurs, and investors to connect and take action.
Our panelists have included high-profile investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and engineers — all sharing their insights into how to launch, build, and run a startup.
We’ve brought Ideas Are Worthless to San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta, and Austin and we are looking forward to bringing it to more cities around the world.
Black Founders programs are made possible with support from our sponsors and partners.
See a full list of our sponsors, event and community partners
OUR TEAM
We are the founders of Black Founders. We're passionate entrepreneurs, innovators, and community organizers.
Chris Bennett
Chris is the CEO of Soldsie, a tech company that helps merchants to sell products through their social media feeds. Chris has been founding businesses from an early age and his last startup, LiquidBooks, was a success on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Chris has a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Hadiyah Mujhid
Hadiyah is the founder and lead software developer for Playpen Labs. She has over 13 years experience as a software engineer. Previously at Lockheed Martin, where she worked on ground communication systems, flight system software, and satellites. In addition to building defense software, Hadiyah has also built web and mobile applications for startup and mid-size corporations.
Nnena Ukuku
Nnena is an attorney who works with early stage startups. She focuses on issues as diverse as formation to intellectual property. She works with startups because, like her, they believe they can change their world. Nnena is active within the San Francisco Bar Association. Nnena enjoys dancing (tango) and filling her home with food and good conversation.
Monique Woodard
Monique is an entrepreneur and creator of Speak Chic — the mobile app that teaches you how to pronounce fashion brands. Previously, she served as an Innovation Fellow with the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation. Monique is passionate about both consumer tech and civic innovation and regularly speaks on entrepreneurship and the digital divide.
Chris Bennett
Chris is the CEO of Soldsie, a tech company that helps merchants to sell products through their social media feeds. Chris has been founding businesses from an early age and his last startup, LiquidBooks, was a success on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Chris has a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Hadiyah Mujhid
Hadiyah is the founder and lead software developer for Playpen Labs. She has over 13 years experience as a software engineer. Previously at Lockheed Martin, where she worked on ground communication systems, flight system software, and satellites. In addition to building defense software, Hadiyah has also built web and mobile applications for startup and mid-size corporations.
Nnena Ukuku
Nnena is an attorney who works with early stage startups. She focuses on issues as diverse as formation to intellectual property. She works with startups because, like her, they believe they can change their world. Nnena is active within the San Francisco Bar Association. Nnena enjoys dancing (tango) and filling her home with food and good conversation.
Monique Woodard
Monique is an entrepreneur and creator of Speak Chic — the mobile app that teaches you how to pronounce fashion brands. Previously, she served as an Innovation Fellow with the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation. Monique is passionate about both consumer tech and civic innovation and regularly speaks on entrepreneurship and the digital divide.
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