Annual Roadmap to Billions NYC Conference Wraps Up with Great Accomplishments

Annual Roadmap to Billions NYC Conference Wraps Up with Great Accomplishments

In the bustling heart of New York City, the 9th Annual Roadmap to Billions conference took place at Microsoft's Times Square headquarters. Powered by Black Women Talk Tech, over 500 entrepreneurs, investors, and tech innovators gathered for two insightful days of learning, networking, and growth.

As the only tech conference ideally suited for Black women entrepreneurs, the event has become a critical pillar of community, investment, and innovation. This year's installment raised the bar even higher.

Roadmap to Billions, now entering its ninth year, transitioned from Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan, signaling increased visibility and influence for Black women in technology. Esosa Johnson, co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, remarked, "This year's Roadmap to Billions demonstrated the ingenuity, resilience, and brilliance of Black woman founders."

The conference focused on the theme "Redefining What's Possible." A welcoming reception ignited early connections and fostered a sense of community among participants. Subsequent days were filled with immersive programming geared towards arming entrepreneurs with practical strategies and inspiration for scaling their businesses.

Roadmap to Billions profited from the support of sponsors such as Microsoft, GoDaddy, WOCSTAR Capital, Lowenstein Sandler, and Camelback Ventures. The event featured expert-guided panels, pitch competitions, and masterclasses tailored to address the unique needs of Black women entrepreneurs at various stages of development.

Reflecting the significance of funding and venture capital, the conference paid close attention to this matter. Antonia Dean of Black Ops VC, Tiffany Kelly, Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, and Sankeetha Selvarajah discussed how Black women are reshaping traditional investment norms and gaining ground in a frequently exclusive market during a panel titled "The Future is Female (and Funded)."

One of the most impactful sessions, "The Ultimate Fundraising Playbook," saw Elise King, Victoria Yampolsky, Lance Mason, and Jordan Sawadogo dissect the process of obtaining pre-seed and seed capital, essential steps in early-stage growth.

The event saluted emerging technology, particularly artificial intelligence. Nelly Yusupova provided insights into leveraging AI to optimize operations and decision-making through sessions like "Agentic AI: Your Business on Autopilot." Stephanie Assi Durand highlighted how startups could implement custom GPTs to scale cleverly in "AI is the New Co-founder."

Recognizing the specific stressors faced by women of color in technology, Roadmap to Billions prioritized mental health and holistic well-being. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions during the Founders Retreat assisted entrepreneurs in maintaining their resilience during busy periods.

Community building extended through investor meet-ups, mentorship mixers, and curated networking events, with GoDaddy providing free website consultations to aid founders in refining their digital presence.

The conference reached its zenith at Fushimi NYC, where the relaxed yet supportive "No Pressure Pitch" showcase allowed entrepreneurs to present their ventures. This closing event emphasized camaraderie over competition, inspiring and energizing attendees.

Since its inception in 2017, Roadmap to Billions has backed over 10,000 Black woman entrepreneurs and facilitated nearly $30 million in venture funding. The 2025 conference solidified this legacy, underscoring voices, opening doors, and empowering a new generation of innovators.

For those dedicated to fostering diversity in technology and investing in the future of entrepreneurship, Roadmap to Billions is not merely an annual event; it's a catalyst for change.

1. The 9th Annual Roadmap to Billions conference, held at Microsoft's Times Square headquarters in New York City, attracted over 500 entrepreneurs, investors, and tech innovators, focusing on diversity in tech.
2. Powered by Black Women Talk Tech, this event effectively bridged the gap between Black women entrepreneurs and the venture capital world, aiming to increase investment and innovation in the business sector.
3. The conference, themed "Redefining What's Possible," featured immersive programming, expert-led panels, pitch competitions, and masterclasses that catered to the unique needs of startups and entrepreneurs in technology.
4. The event emphasized funding and venture capital, with panels like "The Future is Female (and Funded)" discussing how Black women are reshaping traditional investment norms and gaining ground in a frequently exclusive market.
5. In sessions like "The Ultimate Fundraising Playbook," industry experts shared invaluable insights about obtaining pre-seed and seed capital, a crucial step in early-stage growth for startups in technology.
6. Alongside the industry-focused learning opportunities, the Roadmap to Billions conference included wellness events to prioritize the mental health and holistic well-being of the attendees, recognizing the specific stressors faced by women of color in tech.
7. Beyond the formal program, the conference fostered networking and mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurs, with events like investor meet-ups, mentorship mixers, and curated networking sessions, further strengthening the tech and business community.

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