A Conversation With Charles Corprew, Ph.D.
Charles Corprew, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur ecosystem builder, angel investor, podcaster and educator. He’s currently Chief of Staff and Senior Venture Partner at 757 Collab. He’s also CEO and Founder of What’s Your Revolution? Consulting, and host of the What’s Your Revolution? podcast.
CoVaBIZ: Welcome back to Coastal Virginia. Would you share a bit about your journey toward becoming a Senior Venture Partner at 757 Collab?
Corprew: Ten years ago, I might have laughed if you had told me that I would become a venture capitalist and senior venture partner. At the time, I was an academic, deeply immersed in researching and teaching about masculinity and hypermasculinity in the Department of Psychology at Loyola University. My career path seemed set—until it wasn’t.
I often tell the story of the baby who falls into a construction site and, by sheer fortune, lands on a beam high in the sky. Each time the baby is about to fall, another beam appears, saving it just in time. That metaphor perfectly describes my career trajectory.
My first major pivot was founding a leadership consulting firm aimed at addressing inequities in schools. The company thrived, and I was making an impact, but something was missing—I was working alone, traveling constantly, and craving the camaraderie of a team. Then came another beam: the opportunity to join Camelback Ventures, an accelerator and venture fund investing in Black, Brown, and women founders. For four years, I poured my heart into the mission, working alongside an incredible team led by Aaron Walker, an inspiring leader dedicated to equitable investment.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our world, I faced another pivotal moment. I had spent 15 years in New Orleans, but it was time for a change. The passing of my father made the transition even more significant. Looking toward new opportunities, I found 757 Collab, where I began conversations with Monique Adams and Paul Nolde. That relationship led to yet another beam appearing: a role I essentially created—Senior Venture Partner.
What inspired your transition from the academic world to entrepreneurship and investing?
Many people ask how I became successful in venture capital despite my background in psychology. The answer is simple: investing is about understanding people. My expertise in human behavior, leadership, and decision-making gives me a unique lens to evaluate founders, teams, and markets. The most critical questions I ask are:
• Why you?
• Why this?
• Why now?
If a founder can answer these convincingly, it signals potential. Beyond financial investment, I provide founders with mentorship, strategic connections, and time—because true venture building is about more than just capital.
What excites you the most about your new role?
What excites me most about my role at 757 Collab is the ability to meet founders where they are and guide them toward success. I invest not only money but also my experience, network, and insights. Helping build wealth—for myself and others—is deeply fulfilling.
Additionally, my work is amplified through my podcast, the "What’s Your Revolution" show. Now eight years strong and ranking in the top 5% globally, the podcast has been a platform for founders and thought leaders to share their journeys. It has also been a source of learning for me, helping refine my own approach to leadership and investment. The knowledge I gain from these conversations feeds back into my work with entrepreneurs, creating a cycle of growth and impact.
Are there any mentors or role models who have influenced your approach to leadership? If so, how?
Leadership has always been central to my journey. Some of my greatest influences include:
• My father, a principal, nonprofit executive, and credit union CEO, instilled in me the belief that investing in people and modeling the behaviors you want to see is the essence of leadership.
• President Barack Obama, exemplifies steadfast leadership, resilience, and the ability to navigate immense challenges with grace.
• Aaron Walker, who had the vision and courage to create Camelback Ventures, proved that impact-driven investment can change lives.
Great leaders provide vision, model excellence, and equip their teams with the tools to succeed. That philosophy guides my work every day.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
If I could give one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, it would be this: consistency is key.
Success doesn’t happen overnight. It requires:
• Continuously refining your product based on customer feedback.
• Pivoting when necessary.
• Believing in yourself and your team.
Consistency is what separates those who build great companies from those who don’t. It’s what fuels growth, resilience, and ultimately, impact.
If your organization had a theme song, what would it be, and how does it capture its essence?
If 757 Collab had a theme song, it would be Rick Ross’s Every Day I’m Hustling. That’s exactly what we do. We are a small team with big aspirations, moving mountains through dedication, collaboration, and hard work. Our commitment to founders, investors, and strategic partners is unwavering—we hustle every day to create the outcomes we want to see.
If you could invite any three people, living or dead, to a dinner party with you, your family and your team, who would you choose and why?
If I could sit down for dinner with three people, they would be:
• My father, finally asking him about the challenges he faced and how he overcame them.
• President Barack Obama, to learn from his leadership journey, his experiences with adversity, and his insights on balancing career, family, and impact.
• General Colin Powell, to understand how his military experience shaped his role as Secretary of State and how he navigated leadership in high-stakes situations.
That would be one hell of a dinner party.
What is your favorite digital or analog productivity tool?
Right now, my favorite tool is ChatGPT. It has transformed how I work, allowing me to be more efficient, strategic, and innovative. AI is not just a tool—it’s an asset for leaders looking to elevate their game. The future of venture capital, entrepreneurship, and leadership will be deeply intertwined with AI, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.
Any final thoughts?
My journey from academia to venture capital has been filled with unexpected turns, challenges, and incredible opportunities. Each step has reinforced my belief in people, leadership, and the power of investment—not just in companies, but in individuals.
Whether through 757 Collab, my podcast, or my investments, my mission remains the same: to support, mentor, and empower the next generation of visionary founders. And as long as there are founders with big dreams, I’ll keep hustling right alongside them.
