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Some people define their careers by job titles. Phil G. Joseph defines his career by being the change.
Labels don’t quite capture his work. In one room, he’s an investor. In another, a community builder. In others, a nonprofit leader connecting Black founders with the resources they deserve. The truth? He’s all of the above.
Phil often saw venture capital labeled as "exclusive, transactional, gatekeepy." He wanted to change that perception and bring a new approach to the industry. Those who meet him as Phil, The Investor are surprised to learn about his nonprofit work. Those who know him as just Phil understand. Making an impact has always been the goal.
For years, Phil was certain his future was in professional sports. Working with NCAA and NFL teams, and later the Chinese Olympic Committee, he was immersed in sports medicine and concussion research, fascinated by innovation, but had no exposure to the business side of sports technology.
Then in 2016, he noticed a shift that changed everything for him. Hyperice started sending massage guns to teams for free. A few years later, they were a billion-dollar company. He understood the innovation, but not the business. He got curious.
At 27, sitting in a hotel room in Beijing, he made up his mind: he was going to be a VC.
No network. No generational wealth. Just conviction.
The shift may not be as drastic as it seems. Both athletics and entrepreneurship require the same mindset: intensity, risk, competition, leadership, and the ability to build strong teams.
So, he quit his job, moved back to Montreal, and immersed himself in the world of venture. But the shift wasn’t just about leaving sports—it was about breaking free from the box society had built for him.
As a Black man, his identity had always been tied to athletics. Not just by choice, but by expectation. Growing up, there were no visible role models in venture or tech for him. Successful Black men were in sports, in entertainment. Not in investing, not in ownership.
But finance isn’t rocket science. It is a system. One he could learn, navigate, and change. The challenge wasn’t just his, it was systemic.
"If a 13-year-old Black kid never sees themselves in tech or venture, how do they know it’s even possible?"
That became the mission. Not just creating access for Black founders today, but shifting what’s possible for the next generation.
From a distance, Canada's tech and venture scene seemed to be making progress in diversity—until Phil returned and saw how homogenous it truly was. In Montreal, a city known for its diversity, Black representation in leadership and funding was scarce, not due to a lack of talent, but access. Phil built Rep Matters to bridge that gap, connecting Black founders to capital, networks, and mentorship.
His focus:
✔️ Visibility. Creating network effects that open doors.
✔️ Funding. Getting capital into the right hands.
✔️ Growth. Ensuring founders have the mentorship to scale.
That focus has been crucial as the world’s focus on Black entrepreneurs and diversity has shifted. In 2020, there was momentum—corporate pledges, diversity funds, and real conversations. Phil knew the pendulum would swing back. He just didn’t know how hard.
Lawsuits against Black-focused firms. DEI initiatives disappearing. The window of performative allyship closing. The energy that once drove companies to invest in diversity fading.
But those serious about the work? They keep building. They aren’t waiting for corporate validation or industry trends. They’re strengthening networks, creating ecosystems, and pushing forward, regardless of what the headlines say.
For Phil, Black History Month is just another month.
“Everyone suddenly cares, but what happens in March and April?”.
He appreciates its purpose, but for those doing the work, it’s exhausting. The spotlight comes and goes, but real change happens year-round. That’s why he prioritizes long-term commitments over performative events and panels.
This year, instead of overcommitting, he went to Mexico—to recharge, reset, and refocus on sustainable change over temporary attention.
Real impact doesn’t have an expiration date.
“Let’s talk about year-long partnerships, not just February programming."
Phil’s biggest challenge isn’t business—it’s personal. Chronic depression has shaped his career as much as any investment or strategic decision. Managing self-doubt, sleepless nights, and the weight of building something from nothing is the hardest part.
That’s why mental health advocacy isn’t just something he supports, it’s something he lives. Phil is on the Board of Directors for both the Black Health Alliance and Relief, where he works to break the stigma around Black mental health and push for open conversations in a community where the topic is often ignored.
Being a founder is harder than being an investor or advisor. You’re not just analyzing markets—you’re carrying a vision that only exists in your head. Phil understands that cost because he’s lived it. And the only way to sustain the work is to take care of himself—mentally and physically.
His advice? Keep it simple. Build structure, eat well, prioritize sleep, and stay active. When he neglects movement, everything else—energy, focus, clarity—slips. Humans were built to move, and when that falls away, so does everything else. Real change, in venture or life, is about longevity, not just momentum.
Great ideas are everywhere. Phil’s take on what separates a good founder from a great one?
✔️ Emotional intelligence: the ability to take feedback, adapt, and grow.
✔️ Coachability: confidence in what they know, but openness to what they don’t.
✔️ An unfair advantage: a unique insight, network, or experience that gives them an edge.
The piece of tech he wants most? A truly functional personal AI assistant. One that handles scheduling, emails, and the small but time-consuming tasks that drain focus. Something that eliminates decision fatigue, so he can stay locked in on the big picture. We’re close.
AI may be dominating every tech conversation, but for Phil, the real game-changer is quantum computing. It’s been dangled in front of us for years, but when it finally arrives, it won’t just shift the landscape, it’ll redefine it.
But his ultimate vision isn’t tied to tech trends. It’s about systemic change.
The goal? That Rep Matters doesn’t need to exist. That seeing a Black CEO leading a successful tech company in Canada isn’t an anomaly. That Black founders raising capital isn’t a headline, it’s just normal. That Black engineers, operators, and innovators have a clear, sustainable path to generational wealth through technology.
Until then, the work continues.
📊 Explore the Data: Black Startup Funding Report
💡 Learn More: Rep Matters x Real Ventures
🔗 Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: Phil G. Joseph
Read more insights from our team.
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Founded by Kristina McDougall in 2013, Artemis has grown to become Canada’s most trusted boutique executive search firm for startups.
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