There is something special about new things. They are exciting and have an energy associated with them that is almost tangible. Many absorbed this feeling at the AFROTECH™ Conference 2023 when the Sports Summit stage was introduced. One of the voices on this inaugural stage was then-first-time AFROTECH™ speaker Nate Thompson.
Thompson is an entrepreneur and tech founder with a proven track record in the Houston Mayor’s Office heading innovation and as the leader of HTX Sports Tech. He specializes in navigating complex environments to drive growth and foster collaboration.
Thompson’s focus is expanding HTX Sports Tech’s influence as a trusted advisor in the sports innovation space while simultaneously launching the Future of Sport Foundation. This nonprofit venture aims to democratize access to technology and education, preparing the next generation for the future through the lens of sports innovation.
Thompson’s journey has been marked by perseverance, passion, and persistence. Along with his business acumen and insight, his faith has carried him through.
“All of these moves. I think the testing of faith, for me, that was moving, was leaving the comforts of Ohio and Cincinnati, and then going to Miami, where I didn’t have any family and friends outside of my brother moving there with me, going to Baltimore, going back home to Cleveland and then moving here [Houston, TX] where I didn’t know anybody. It was like that was the test of faith,” Thompson noted to AFROTECH™.
He continued, “And then it was like, as I made those moves, things started to happen, and I continued to reaffirm or affirm that this was the right move. And then launching HTX has been the same journey. Like, yeah, you’re doing the right thing. This is the right move. This is coming together because you made this move.”
These lateral moves eventually led Thompson to head a panel discussion on the AFROTECH™ 23 Sports Summit stage, “Change The Game: Sports + Tech,” featuring Natara Branch, CEO of Houston Exponential, and Ashley DeWalt, co-founder and managing partner of The Collectiv.
The conversation highlighted the growing importance of tech-driven innovation in fields like entrepreneurship, venture capital, and ecosystem development. The panelists emphasized the need for increased representation and ownership opportunities, encouraging athletes and individuals from underrepresented communities to leverage technology for greater equity in the sports industry. By pushing for more diverse leadership and investment, these game changers are looking to pave the way for a future where sports professionals are active players in business, tech, and innovation, creating sustainable opportunities for themselves and the communities they serve.
Engaging with the panelists in these discussions on stage was a highlight of Thompson’s overall conference experience. “Being able to be there and see all the different types of companies and the range of conversations, and then it was just cool to be there to meet people and still have some relationships from that that carried on today,” he explained. “Being in that environment, I only went to a handful of sessions, but being in that environment was super helpful in connecting with and meeting people. I love that.”
Since his panel last year, Thompson has been busy doubling down on making his business ventures a success. Things have progressed since then, including his range of connections and the expansion of HTX.
“At the conference last year, we mentioned the idea of this investment fund called The Collectiv. That’s been in progress since January 2024, allowing us to raise a sports tech fund focused on late-stage investments and then make those investments into teams, leagues, and startups,” Thompson shared.
Additionally, he and his team partnered with DivInc, which helped manage their sports accelerator program focused on social impact and clean energy. After successfully running a cohort from April through July of this year, the next cohort is set to begin in March 2025 and run through May of that year.
But that’s not all. Since transitioning from the Mayor’s Office to fully leading HTX Sports Tech, Thompson has several other key projects underway. These include partnering with an investment fund, overseeing the sports tech accelerator, and judging Black Ambition’s HBCU accelerator. He’s also set to engage in a United Kingdom sports investment discussion in London and serve as a judge at the University of Michigan’s Sports Business Conference.
Thompson remains active in sports and healthcare, with future initiatives planned in Ohio. He recently discussed sports innovation expansion with the University of Cincinnati and is exploring similar opportunities with Prairie View A&M University in Houston.
The HTX founder is excited about how he was able to leverage AFROTECH™ 23 to further develop his work. He is even more excited about what this year’s conference will bring and hopes attendees take full advantage of AFROTECH™ 24 as well.
“I would kind of encourage you to go to the one or two sessions that are critical or in the scope of your expertise, but then find other people and other things outside of that to expand as much as possible,” Thompson suggested.
He continued, “Find the people outside your media circle, but then get out in the city and explore some local places. Immerse yourself in the city.”
