Tech Spotlight: James Robinson

The Abernathy Tech Spotlight series highlights black professionals working in tech, from freelance developers to non-technical founders. Complete this form to submit your profile.


What is your current role and where do you work?
I am the co-founder and Managing Partner at Caerus Investment Partners. We’re a micro-VC focused on seed-stage investing.

How did you get into tech?
My first job after getting my MBA was with Lehman Brothers in the Global Technology Group. I covered tech, media and telecom companies for 10 years, so transitioning into VC felt natural.

What’s your favorite technology to work with and why?
I love any tech that simplifies my life. I’ve been using Clara to help schedule my meetings and keep my life somewhat in order.

What project are you most proud to have worked on and why?
I’m actually really proud of co-founding Caerus. There are so few minority run VCs, so overcoming the obstacles was a big deal for me.

What do you see as the most interesting technology on the horizon?
I’m really interested in seeing where machine learning takes us. I watched a ton of sci-fi as a kid, so anything that gets us closer to Skynet excites me.

If you weren’t working in tech, what would you be doing?
I would be a criminal defense attorney. Probably too much time watching Law & Order.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your tech career?
A little bit of luck goes a long way. The difference between success and failure can be razor thin. Entrepreneurs typically don’t want to admit that some things are out of their control. A bit of luck at the right time can change history.

What can companies do to create more inclusive environments?
Honestly, it’s time to stop talking about inclusion and do something about it. Hiring people of color or women is only the first step. Processes need to be in place to ensure long-term retention.

What keeps you busy when you’re not being a technologist?
Being a family man. Watching my infant son grow up is keeping my hands full.


The Abernathy Tech Spotlight series highlights black professionals working in tech, from freelance developers to non-technical founders. Complete this form to submit your profile.

By James Robinson

James Robinson is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Caerus Investment Partners. He is an active member of the NYC startup community as both a venture capitalist and an angel investor. Before founding Caerus, James worked on Wall Street for 10 years as an investment banker where he advised technology and media companies on M&A and corporate finance matters. James earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.S. in economics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating with highest honors.