Before becoming a venture investor, Gary Acosta studied chemistry, moved into banking, started his own mortgage brokerage at 26, and played varsity basketball at Pomona College under Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich—experiences that shaped how he approaches problem-solving and discipline in business. He built NAHREP as a consumer-facing organization focused on Hispanic homeownership rather than a typical insider trade group, and he carries that same mission into his investing work, framing entrepreneurship and ownership as ways to close the Latino wealth gap while also building event platforms and communities where business deals can happen.