Charles Auster
As Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Derby Entrepreneurship Center and a dedicated supporter of Tufts for over 20 years, Chuck's vision was to complement DEC's entrepreneurship programming with applied research capacity that could tackle problems requiring innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions.
A Lifelong Jumbo
Chuck graduated from Tufts in 1973, where he majored in economics while also exploring Experimental College courses, serving as news director at WMFO, and developing independent research projects. His Tufts experience shaped his belief in the power of interdisciplinary thinking and unconventional approaches to problem-solving.
At his 50th reunion in 2023, Chuck reflected: "As a Jumbo celebrating my 50th year since graduating from Tufts, I am extremely excited to be able to give back to my alma mater and provide this gift to support innovation and entrepreneurship among the students, faculty, and staff at Tufts University."
Vision for the Center
Chuck's vision for the Auster Center emerged from recognizing that many of society's most pressing challenges resist traditional solutions. He saw an opportunity to create a research center that could cut across disciplines, enhance collaboration among Tufts' various schools, and develop new methodologies for fostering and applying innovation.
"This cause is very dear to my heart, and I am both honored and humbled that this new center will play such a pivotal role in advancing applied innovation research at Tufts. I look forward to continuing to help the Center expand and have an impact in helping to solve the complex problems faced by society."
Entrepreneurial Journey
Chuck brings over 40 years of experience creating value through entrepreneurship, corporate executive management, and venture and private equity investment. After graduating from George Washington University Law School, he co-founded ventures ranging from records to restaurants. In the 1990s, he founded one of the first server hosting companies, working in the industry that led to today's cloud computing—success that led to his recruitment as a senior investment partner at JP Morgan Private Equity Group.
He is currently the founder and partner of RunTide Capital Partners, an independent financial sponsor partnering with institutional investors in tech-enabled lower-middle market companies.
His entrepreneurial journey informs his belief that "when we apply what we learn through our research, we hope to make a real difference" in addressing the complex, dynamic problems facing society.
Continuing Support
Chuck has supported entrepreneurship education at Tufts for over 20 years and has served as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the Derby Entrepreneurship Center for 17 years. He previously created an endowed lectureship for DEC and continues to provide strategic guidance and support for innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives across Tufts.
The Auster Center for Applied Innovation and Research stands as a testament to his commitment to fostering transformative solutions through systematic innovation and transdisciplinary collaboration.
