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Winning the top investment prize at the Black Innovation Summit in 2026 was a defining moment for OutreachGenius. And for founder and CEO David Owasi, it was just the beginning of what was to come.
The $200,000 investment from DMZ Ventures validated an ambitious idea, opened new doors and helped accelerate the company's journey from an early-stage startup to a venture-backed AI company helping home-service businesses answer sales calls and re-engage cold prospects.
Today, OutreachGenius continues to grow, showing what can happen when Black founders have access to the capital, community and opportunities they need to build.
How the Summit helped fuel OutreachGenius’ next raise.
The momentum OutreachGenius gained at the Black Innovation Summit didn’t end when David left the stage last October. The Summit introduced new investors, relationships and opportunities to the startup as it continued building AI-powered agents for home-service businesses. Some of those connections would go on to play a role in OutreachGenius’ next raise.
"The Black Innovation Summit put us in rooms and conversations with investors and people in the ecosystem whom we otherwise may not have met," said Owasi. "Some of those relationships continued well beyond the event and ultimately contributed to the investor network around us as we went on to raise our $1.7 million CAD round."
As OutreachGenius continued to grow, the impact of their Summit win continued to open doors for Owasi, that growth tells a much bigger story than the numbers alone. “An idea became a company. The company earned validation. That validation created opportunities,” Owasi reflected. “The Black Innovation Summit was an important chapter in that progression.”
How access and opportunity shaped his journey.
David’s entrepreneurial journey began long before he stepped onto the Black Innovation Summit stage.
After moving to Canada, he found himself in an ecosystem that encouraged founders to think beyond what was immediately possible. With that shift in mindset came greater access to funding, mentorship and opportunities that helped expand his ambitions.
“There is an enormous difference between having ambition and being in an environment where that ambition is supported with infrastructure, capital, mentorship and people willing to take a chance on you,” Owasi said, while reflecting on his journey. “Once my perception of what was possible expanded, so did the size of the problems I was willing to try to solve.”
For David, OutreachGenius wasn't just about launching another startup. It was about creating technology to solve meaningful business challenges he experienced first hand, while proving ambitious ideas deserve equally ambitious backing.
Beyond the Summit cheque: The value of community.
The Black Innovation Summit is often recognized for its pitch competition, but its impact extends far beyond the stage. It gives founders an opportunity to build relationships with investors, mentors and fellow entrepreneurs who can continue supporting their journey long after the event ends.
For OutreachGenius, those connections became part of the company's growth story, expanding its network while creating new opportunities to raise capital and scale.
While the investment provided an important boost, Owasi says the relationships built through the Summit have delivered value well beyond the pitch competition. "Of course, the funding can be transformative, but the Summit also gives founders access to something that's difficult to create on your own: proximity," said Owasi. "Proximity to investors, other ambitious founders and people who can open the next door for you. The cheque has a dollar value. The relationships you build in the room can compound for years."
Proof that Black means business.
OutreachGenius’ journey shows the lasting momentum that can come from investing in Black founders.
With access to capital, meaningful connections and an ecosystem that invests in their potential, entrepreneurs can build companies that create jobs, solve real problems and shape the future of innovation.
The Black Innovation Summit returns this October, bringing together founders, investors, ecosystem leaders and supporters to celebrate Black entrepreneurship and unlock the next generation of innovative companies.
Join Canada's leading celebration of Black innovation. Register to attend the 2026 Black Innovation Summit on October 28.
