Venture Fellowship
Each semester Robinson Ventures partners with young individuals who express interest in business and management.
Through hands-on exposure to current challenges in the rapidly changing business industry, the Venture Fellow seeks to discover opportunities to positively impact the future of business; through strategic investments in various startup companies and organizations, as well as work with our existing portfolio companies.
2024-2025
Taylor Marotta
Taylor is currently a senior at Coker University. During her time at Coker University, she has been a part of Campus Activity Board as the Director of Communications, Enactus, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Ambassador, Morgan’s Message, Kooper Leadership Academy, Commissioners, and the University’s Cross Country and Track Field team.
She will be graduating in December 2024 with a degree in Criminology and Psychology. Her plans after graduation are to receive a Master’s degree in family and marriage counseling.
JACOB YARBERRY
Jacob comes to us from Coker University, where he attends as a student-athlete with a passion for baseball. In high school, he was a member of the Investments Club at Detroit Country Day School in Michigan. In Spring of 2024, Jacob was nominated for the Garrett Bakhsh Heart & Soul Award during the Coker Athletics Fang Awards, for the passion and leadership he displays on and off the field.
He plans to earn a degree in Entrepreneurship in Spring of 2025.
2023-2024
Kennedi Price
Kennedi Price is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from Coker University in December of 2023 with a major in interdisciplinary studies (concentration in computer science and graphic design) and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. She's a creative person who focuses on design thinking, human-centered design, and user experience ideologies to help solve complex problems and build innovative products.
She dabbles in directing, producing, and cooking. She loves anything that makes her think out of the box. Kennedi wants to cultivate spaces where folks can gain knowledge and inspiration to tackle problems or embody creativity.
Kennedi plans to attend Georgetown University for her MBA in Fall of 2024.
Abigail Kellner
Abby Kellner graduated from Coker University in May of 2024 with a degree in Business Administration (concentrations in marketing and entrepreneurship).
During her internship, Abby applied the marketing and entrepreneurship skills she learned while attending Coker University. She used the opportunity to learn more about how marketing and market research works in a professional environment, as well as more about venture investing.
Abby is now employed at Cox Automotive as a Business Process and Design Analyst.
2022-2023
Kristoff Person
Kristoffer Persen is from Norway, and is a 2023 graduate of Coker University in Hartsville, SC, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, with a computer science minor. Kristoffer was the Student Body President at Coker University and on the Men's Track and Field team. He has also completed the Kooper Leadership Academy. Kristoffer is now at the Louisiana State University studying to get his MBA.
Bethany Weatherford
Bethany Weatherford is a 2023 graduate of Coker University and a native of Hartsville, SC. She double majored in Business Administration and Political Science with a minor in Criminology, as well as a member of the Honors program, Enactus, Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminology honor society), and the Bookstore Ambassadors. She was the Vice President of the Chinese Culture Club, as well as a Mandarin Chinese tutor in the PASS center. Bethany now attends the University of South Carolina's School of Law where she will obtain a J.D. and Master's degree in Health Administration.
2021-2022
KELSEY GIBBONS
Kelsey Gibbons joined Robinson Ventures in 2021 and is responsible for all aspects of our client engagements and success. Prior to joining Robinson Ventures, Kelsey served as a 2021-2022 Innovation and Venture Fellow. Kelsey is from Cortland, New York. She was a member of Enactus, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Morgan’s Message, and the University’s Field Hockey team who won the Conference Championship in Spring 2021. Graduating in May 2022 with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing with a Chemistry minor, Kelsey attended Lander University where she received her MBA in Digital Marketing and Organizational Leadership in 2023.
Seraphin Kibonge
Seraphin Kibonge is a 2022 graduate of Coker University in Hartsville, SC, majoring in Molecular Biology and minoring in Communications. He was heavily involved within the University, serving as the Student Body President, a Vice President for Enactus, an organization focused on student entrepreneurship, and a hurdler for the Men’s Track and Field team, among other commitments. His efforts were recognized by Coker, winning two Excellence in Leadership Awards, the Cobra Service Award, and the Rebekah Chapman Memorial Award. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Seraphin moved to the United States at an early age and resided in Raleigh, NC before attending Coker. Seraphin has prior internship experience with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and as a Strategy Intern for McLeod Health. He is seeking a career in Healthcare Management post-graduation. He will be attending UNC Chapel Hill this fall.
"Being a Venture Fellow has allowed me to gain real-world experience with the process of venture capital, particularly due diligence. Understanding the metrics used by venture capitalists, sitting in on calls with CEOs of various startups, and being able to pick the brains of angel investors that are a part of the Venture South group, have provided me with invaluable skills and knowledge that I will take to my MBA program and my life endeavors. I am beyond thankful to have been selected for this fellowship."
2020-2021
ALICIA QUINTEROS
Alicia Quinteros is a 2021 gaduate of Coker University majoring in Business administration and management. As an Innovation and Venture Fellow, Alicia sought to discover opportunities to positively impact the future of healthcare through strategic investments in innovations, both internal and external to health systems. She conducted due diligence and presented insights on potential new investment opportunities, including data/document collection, marketplace analysis, competitive analysis, and business model vetting to increase business growth and innovation opportunities.
Alicia currently serves as a Technical Project Manager at Walmart Global.
