Human resources expert Andrew Bartlow joins the pod to talk about all things management, especially when it comes to tech startups looking to scale and grow their management strategy and team. Working with corporations like Pepsi and GE, as well as gaining experience in every stage of startup growth, Andrew specializes in helping early stage companies adopt management and HR strategies that set them up for success. Talking points include effective PNL strategies at big name corporations, disruptions in HR at the startup level, and setting up the next generation for success at People Leader Accelerator.

Forging the Future gets its first student entrepreneur guest, Adis Lujinovic, a Texas A&M Chemical Engineering senior and CEO of Switchless. Switchless, founded in 2022, is a startup pioneering the smart home industry with feature-rich and interconnected smart switches for commercial and residential use. Talking points include Adis’ early inspiration in entrepreneurship, Switchless’ origins with co-founder Nicho Naugle, and the challenges of juggling entrepreneurship with being a full-time college student.

Nate Thompson, Managing Partner of HTX Sports Tech, joins the show to talk about his impact as a key player in the sports technology industry. Sports tech is an industry experiencing massive growth and incredible innovations in recent years, and Nate has been at the forefront, providing strategic guidance to sports organizations, innovation ecosystems, and startups. Talking points include Nate’s journey into the sports industry, cutting technology being worked on at HTX Sports Tech, and the much-anticipated HTX Sports Summit happening in July 2024.