Houston is set to become a focal point for the tech and startup community this October 2025, with two highly anticipated, exclusive events designed to foster connection, drive innovation, and celebrate leadership. The Breaking Bread Founder Dinner and the INNOV8 Tech Leadership Brunch, both organized by POCIT, offer unique opportunities for founders and senior tech leaders to engage, share insights, and build valuable relationships.
Breaking Bread Founder Dinner: Connecting Founders with Venture Capital
Scheduled for Monday, October 28, the Breaking Bread Founder Dinner is a premier networking event for emerging entrepreneurs. This exclusive gathering will bring together 25 Series A and seed-stage founders with a select group of venture capitalists for an intimate evening focused on candid conversations and genuine connection. The dinner aims to provide a space where innovation, authenticity, and opportunity can converge, allowing founders to gain valuable insights and forge critical partnerships.
The event is proudly hosted in partnership with Braze and Microsoft for Startups, underscoring a shared commitment to cultivating a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Braze’s ‘Tech for an Equitable Future’ program specifically supports underrepresented founders by granting them access to its customer engagement platform, mentorship, and a supportive community. Complementing this, Microsoft for Startups offers essential tools, expert support, and networking opportunities crucial for scaling early-stage companies.
Notable figures expected to attend and contribute to the discussions include Tiffany Johnson, Director at Microsoft for Startups, who has a strong background in developing programs for underrepresented founders, including Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator. Also present will be Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner at Zeal Capital Partners, and Richard Odior, Head of Pre-seed Investments at Zeal Capital Partners. Both Qadree and Odior are deeply involved in investing in diverse management teams and focus on areas like financial technology, the future of work, and health equity, bringing extensive expertise to the table.
INNOV8 Tech Leadership Brunch: Celebrating Black Tech Leaders
Following closely on October 31, the INNOV8 Tech Leadership Brunch marks its second year as a distinguished event celebrating Black leaders in the technology industry. This vibrant gathering promises a dynamic environment for idea sharing and relationship building, featuring a full brunch buffet, a live DJ, and an insightful panel of seasoned industry leaders. While this year’s panel speakers are yet to be announced, the event’s reputation for fostering meaningful dialogue and connection is well-established. Last year’s brunch hosted pioneering figures, setting a high bar for this year’s iteration.
This year’s INNOV8 brunch is presented in partnership with Gusto, a company dedicated to supporting businesses and their teams through comprehensive payroll, benefits, and HR solutions. Gusto’s mission to empower those who build, lead, and innovate aligns perfectly with the ethos of the INNOV8 event.
Houston’s Thriving Tech Landscape
These two events are part of a larger trend of increasing tech activity and specialized gatherings in Houston. The city is solidifying its reputation as a significant hub for innovation, particularly for underrepresented communities within the tech sector. The timing of these events, coinciding with the major AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 also taking place in Houston from October 27-31, creates a powerful concentration of trending tech happenings and networking possibilities throughout the month. The exclusive nature of both the Breaking Bread Dinner and INNOV8 Brunch ensures a focused and impactful experience for attendees looking to make meaningful connections within Houston’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
