In The News
In The News
SBV
Building the Future of Sports Ownership

June 23, 2026

The Scouting Report profiles Ashley DeWalt, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of The Collectiv, on his 20-year journey from athlete brand consultant to sports VC pioneer.
Rice University
The Collectiv Foundation launches AI-native sportstech accelerator with Rice University and The Ion

February 4, 2026

The Collectiv Foundation's new accelerator at Rice's Ion District gives AI founders what most can't buy: direct access to professional sports leagues, hospital systems, and venture capital under one roof.
HBJ
Chantell Preston named among women sports leaders driving investment and ownership

December 23, 2025

Chantell Preston, a 25-year healthcare executive and LOVB San Francisco co-owner, joins The Collectiv as General Partner with a conviction that women belong in the investment seat, not just on the court.
SBJ
Sail GP U.S. Team eyes backing at $125M valuation

June 4, 2025

The U.S. SailGP Team is raising at a $125M valuation with Gary Vaynerchuk, Issa Rae, and The Collectiv on the cap table, a real-time case study in sports asset appreciation.
HBJ
Houston one of top 10 US sports business cities for soccer, new report shows

May 27, 2025

Houston is a top-10 U.S. city for soccer business, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup is turning institutional attention into institutional capital.
SBJ
Co-Founder, Heath Butler featured in SBJ for Golfweek Tech Lab

May 14, 2025

The Collectiv Co-Founder Heath Butler joined SBJ's Golfweek Tech Lab to make the case that operator-driven funds have a sourcing edge no traditional VC can replicate.
SBJ
WNBA partners with nVenue for microbetting, interactive gaming

March 27, 2025

The WNBA tapped nVenue, a Collectiv portfolio company, for microbetting and interactive gaming, proof that sports-validated AI scales across the league stack.
SBJ
SailGP charts course for continued growth following success of U.S. events

March 24, 2025

SailGP team values have crossed $60M, celebrity investors are queuing up, and the startup league era is over.
Medium
The Collectiv and Michigan Sport Venture Group (MSVG) team up

January 25, 2025

The Collectiv and Michigan Sport Venture Group are bridging university entrepreneurship with operator-driven deal flow, building the next generation of sports capital from the inside out.
January 8, 2025
HBJ
Sports conference SEICon coming to Houston in 2025
December 23, 2024
HBJ
NBA, Houston nonprofit team up to offer Black Houstonians internships
August 24, 2024
HBJ
How NFL Player Kayvon Thibodeaux is a blueprint for Houston sports investing
August 23, 2024
HBJ
Houston VC firm adds New York Giants linebacker as an investor
August 22, 2024
Sportico
NFL Star Kayvon Thibodeaux Named Venture Partner in VC Fund
May 21, 2024
HBJ
Why local investors are betting on sports technology in Houston

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We’re the Center of the
Sportstech Ecosystem
Meet Our
Investment Team
Ashley DeWalt
Co-Founder, Managing Partner

Ashley’s work has been featured in leading media outlets, including ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, The Sports Business Journal, and Front Office Sports. 

Winston Gilpen
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
  • 30+ years executive and advisory experience
    ‍
  • Knowledge in all aspects of finance, strategy, contracts, administration, risk management, sales, marketing, human resources, operations, and executive management.
    ‍
  • Texas CPA
Heath Butler
Co-Founder, Venture Partner
  • 25+ years executive and investment experience
    ‍
  • Venture Partner, Mercury Fund
    ‍
  • Founder, Urban Capital Network
    ‍
  • Startup Founder, Investor, and Advisor at multiple public and private boards
    ‍
  • M&A & Div. President, Insperity
    ‍
  • B.S. Finance / MBA Marketing
Blair Garrou
Senior Advisor & Investment Committee
  • 30+ years venture, executive, and advisory experience
    ‍
  • Expertise in all aspects of finance, strategy, contracts, administration, risk management, sales, marketing, human resources, operations, and executive management
    ‍
  • Co-Founder, Managing Partner of early-stage VC firm Mercury Fund, with $1B AUM
Michelle Torres
Head of Operations

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Nate Thompson
Head of Platform

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Simone Williams
Analyst

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