Spotting Potential: My Journey from VC to Real Estate

Spotting Potential: My Journey from VC to Real Estate

New Agent Spotlight: Connor Groppa at One Global Advisory, Compass

I’m excited to introduce myself as the newest real estate agent on the One Global Advisory team at Compass. It’s a natural next step in a journey shaped by a love for smart investments, beautiful design, and meaningful human connection. Before entering real estate, I spent the early part of my career in the venture capital world, working as an investment analyst after studying Economics at UC Berkeley, where I developed a strong foundation in financial analysis and strategic thinking. In VC, I learned how to spot potential, sometimes hidden, sometimes obvious, and how to make decisions with both data and instinct. It’s a skill that carries over naturally into real estate.

While I enjoyed the pace and intellectual challenge of investing, I found myself craving something more tangible. I’ve always had an eye for design and a fascination with how people live: the spaces they choose, the details that make a home feel personal, and the story behind every property. Real estate brought it all together for me: the strategy, the aesthetics, the relationships, and the real-life impact.

What drew me specifically to Compass and to the One Global Advisory team was the opportunity to work at the intersection of global reach, smart technology, and personal connection. I wanted to be part of a team that thinks big but also listens deeply, and that’s exactly what I found here.

My approach to real estate is grounded in value, not just financial but emotional and practical too. I help clients see the potential in properties, whether it’s a first home, a forever home, or a strategic investment. I love walking into a space and asking: What can this become? How does this serve your life not just now, but years from now?

Joining this industry has been one of the most exciting decisions I’ve made. I’m here to help others make their own big moves with confidence, clarity, and a bit of creativity.