David Steele

David Steele serves as Director of Texas for Plug and Play Tech Center after founding the organization’s Sportstech vertical in Frisco. He now leads corporate engagement, startup acceleration, and innovation ecosystem development across Texas.

With a background spanning sports, business development, education, and innovation, David has held leadership roles in sales and business development and previously coached Texas high school football. His experience has shaped an approach centered on building high-performing teams, strategic partnerships, and measurable growth.

David helped launch Origin, Plug and Play’s 6,000-square-foot innovation hub at The Star in Frisco, bringing together entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, investors, and community leaders.

He was also selected for the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Speaker Program, representing the United States in international engagements focused on entrepreneurship, emerging technology, sports, and innovation ecosystem development.

David holds an MBA from the University of Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Business Center, an M.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Texas–Pan American, and a B.S. in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University. He is passionate about connecting global innovation with local communities and creating opportunities that strengthen entrepreneurs, organizations, and regions across Texas and beyond.