› Events · Future Builders Live
A stage for the kids the future is counting on.
Hi, Bot is building a safe, inspired, premium event space for active minds 8–16 — and the families that show up alongside them. Short inspiring talks. Hands-on demos with real hardware. Student show-and-tell on a real stage. Parents in the room, not in the parking lot.
Think TED-quality inspiration for kids, crossed with a maker fair and a youth leadership showcase — produced to the standard families actually want and presenters are proud to stand behind.
Before the flagship, we're piloting small, low-cost popups around Richmond. Help us pick which to run first →
What kids get
A premium room where curiosity is the price of admission. Real builders, real hardware, real questions — and a stage where they can present what they've made.
What parents get
Meaningful enrichment that isn't a screen, isn't a sport, and isn't another tutor. A high-status family Saturday with people you'd want your kid to model.
What presenters get
A polished, family-friendly platform. Paid presenters, sponsor support, professional AV, and an audience that came to listen — not be entertained at.
› Series we're building
Four event formats, one promise.
Every event runs the same playbook: premium venue, family-attended, paid presenters, hands-on, sponsor-supported, and aimed squarely at kids who are hungry to learn.
Future Builders Live
The flagship — Saturday morning, 100-person venue, family tickets.
- 3 short adult talks · 4–6 student show-and-tell presentations
- 1 featured demo or keynote · hands-on demo stations
- Parents stay on-site — this is a family learning event, not drop-off
Young Builder Showcase
Quarterly stage for kids 8–16 with something built, made, or shipped.
- 5-minute student talks, judged by working builders
- Robotics, apps, science projects, businesses, art + tech
- Parents, sponsors, and local press in the room
Maker Fair · Family Edition
An afternoon of tables, demos, and hands-on stations across our four zones.
- Robotics arena · AI sandbox · build-it bench · pitch corner
- Mentors at every station, no spectators — everyone makes something
- Sponsor and vendor tables for aligned learning providers
Friday-Night Speaker Series
One builder. One hour. Real talk for curious kids and the parents alongside them.
- Engineers, founders, scientists, artists, athletes-turned-builders
- Live demo + Q&A — no slides full of bullet points
- Free for members; ticketed for the community
› Sample sessions
Ten proposals worth presenting.
The bar is high on purpose. Use these as the shape of a great submission: practical, demonstrable, family-friendly, and worth a Saturday morning to attend.
Build Your First Robot in 45 Minutes
› Presenter
Robotics educator + high school robotics team
› Format
Live build + student demo
"Your child will understand how robots sense, decide, and move."
AI Sidekick: How Kids Can Use AI Safely to Learn, Create, and Build
› Presenter
AI educator, edtech founder, school tech leader
› Format
Talk + live demo + parent guidance
"A practical family guide to using AI without cheating, oversharing, or losing creativity."
Invent Like an Engineer: From Problem to Prototype
› Presenter
Engineer, product designer, maker-space leader
› Format
Short talk + hands-on design challenge
"Learn the simple design loop engineers use to turn problems into products."
Young Founder Showcase
› Presenter
Ambitious high schoolers, college students, young founders
› Format
Student showcase + moderated Q&A
"Meet students who built apps, businesses, robots, nonprofits, games, or research projects."
The Science of Movie Magic
› Presenter
Filmmaker, media teacher, audio/video engineer
› Format
Live demo + mini production challenge
"How science, sound, editing, and storytelling turn simple ideas into unforgettable scenes."
Cybersecurity for Kids: How Hackers Think and How Builders Defend
› Presenter
Cybersecurity professional or college cyber club
› Format
Safe demo + puzzle challenge
"A safe, ethical intro to passwords, privacy, phishing, and digital defense."
The Future Doctor's Lab: Wearables, Health Tech, Human Performance
› Presenter
Physician, biomedical engineer, health-tech founder
› Format
Talk + demo stations
"See how sensors, data, and AI are changing medicine, fitness, and health."
Design a Video Game, Learn a System
› Presenter
Game developer, CS teacher, game-design student
› Format
Live build + student challenge
"Turn game playing into game building."
How to Give a Great 3-Minute Talk
› Presenter
Debate coach, theater educator, founder, professor
› Format
Mini workshop + live student practice
"Give your child the confidence to explain an idea clearly in front of a room."
Build a Tiny Business in One Afternoon
› Presenter
Local entrepreneur, business operator, teen entrepreneur
› Format
Talk + worksheet + student pitch examples
"Learn how a kid can turn a skill, craft, service, or idea into a real mini-business."
› Sponsors & partners
Want to put your name on the room curious kids show up in?
Local sponsors from education, technology, healthcare, finance, and community businesses help us keep tickets accessible and presenters paid. If that's you, let's talk.