In Houston This October? Don’t Miss These 2 POCIT Events For Founders And Tech Leaders
Founders + senior tech leaders, don't miss these two exclusive events. Free entry, limited spaces. RSVP today!
This October, as the tech and startup world descends on Houston, POCIT is hosting two exclusive events designed to deepen connections, foster leadership, and elevate voices across the tech ecosystem: the Breaking Bread Founder Dinner and the INNOV8 Tech Leadership Brunch.
Whether you’re a founder building the future or a senior leader shaping it, these events are for you.
Breaking Bread: Founder + VC Dinner
On Monday, October 28, Breaking Bread will bring together 25 Series A and seed-stage founders for an intimate dinner with a select group of venture capitalists. The evening is designed for candid conversations, shared lessons, and genuine connection — a space where innovation, authenticity, and opportunity meet.
Hosted in partnership with Braze and Microsoft for Startups, the dinner highlights their shared commitment to building a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Braze’s Tech for an Equitable Future program provides underrepresented founders with access to its customer engagement platform, mentorship, and community, while Microsoft for Startups offers early-stage companies the tools, support, and networks needed to scale.
Notable guests at the dinner will include Tiffany Johnson, Director at Microsoft for Startups; Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner at Zeal Capital Partners; and Richard Odior, Head of Pre-seed Investments at Zeal Capital Partners, each bringing invaluable insights from their experiences supporting and investing in diverse founders.
Seats are free but limited. RSVP now!
INNOV8 Tech Leadership Brunch
A few days later, on Friday, October 31, the focus shifts to leadership with the return of INNOV8 Tech Leadership Brunch, POCIT’s signature event for senior Black tech leaders.
Now in its second year, INNOV8 is a celebration of brilliance, achievement, and innovation across the industry. It’s a space for leaders to share ideas, swap stories, and build relationships that extend beyond the conference floor. Guests can expect a full brunch buffet, a live DJ, and a dynamic panel of seasoned industry leaders, with this year’s speakers to be announced soon.
Last year’s event featured pioneering leaders such as Niya Baxter, Tanneasha Gordon, Aaron Davis, Tiffany Johnson, and Michael Berhane, setting the bar for another unforgettable experience.
This year’s brunch is hosted in partnership with Gusto, a platform that helps businesses support their teams through an all-in-one system for payroll, benefits, and HR. Like INNOV8 itself, Gusto’s mission centers on people — ensuring those who build, lead, and innovate are supported to do their best work.
Seats are free but limited. RSVP now!
Seats are limited for both events, and interest is already high. To secure your spot and stay up-to-date on future gatherings, head over to POCIT's events page.
Image credit: Justin James Photography for POCIT
