Backswing Ventures
Venture capitalWindermere · Pre-Seed–Series B · 3 people tracked
Find your way into Backswing Ventures
620 people in our graph share verified history with the Backswing Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Backswing Ventures backs founders building mission-critical technologies in defense, national security, and critical infrastructure. The firm invests selectively at the early stage in complex, high-stakes markets, including dual-use technologies and strategic systems. Its approach emphasizes preparation, precision, discipline, and long-term alignment, with a deliberately narrow focus on the defense and national security sector. Beyond backing a small number of founders, the firm also engages with investors seeking disciplined, long-term exposure to the sector, positioning execution and outcomes as central to both successful investing and national defense.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 16 of 24 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×7Defense Tech ×7Hardware ×7Deep Tech ×5Space Tech ×5Robotics ×4Advanced Manufacturing ×3Cybersecurity ×3
HQs:United States×15
Investments · 24 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 22025 · 12024 · 14 dated
AIRIA provides facility scheduling and space optimization software that analyzes campus room usage to reduce underutilized spaces, cut energy and operational costs, and support financial and operational planning.
AI & Machine LearningPropTechSaaSNew York City, US
Edward Nass(Founder)
Co-investorsFulcrum VentureNeer Venture PartnersCounterview Capital
ClearForce is a people risk analytics company that combines software, data services, and workflow automation to help organizations mitigate insider threat, workplace safety, and security risks across public and private sectors.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareGovTechHR TechVienna, US
Jim Jones(Founder, Chief Executive Officer)inNorm Willox(Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer of Bluewater International)James L. Jones III(Director)Tom Miller(CEO)inLaura Clark(Treasurer and Secretary)Thomas Blair(Director)
Co-investorsPerot Jain
Firehawk Aerospace manufactures solid rocket motors, energetic materials, and propellant using additive (3D printing) manufacturing to produce propellant grains and hybrid rocket engine components.
Defense TechHardwareSpace TechWilmington, US
Will Edwards(Cofounder)inAndrew Wills Edwards(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsCathexis VenturesDecisive PointDraper AssociatesPlains VenturesRed Beard VenturesVictorum+5 more
Firestorm Labs builds xCell, a containerized 3D-printing factory that produces modular military drones at the point of need.
San Diego, US
Daniel Magy(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Chad McCoy(Founder)inIan Muceus(Founder)in
BoardTommy Hendrix(Director)Aaron Jacobson(Director)in
Co-investorsBeyond CapitalBlack FlagBooz Allen VenturesBVVCCapital FactoryDecisive Point+15 more
Hex builds autonomous battery-swapping infrastructure for drones to extend flight capabilities and make aerial data collection more accessible.
AgTechDeep TechHardwareIoTRoboticsMiami, US
Curtis Lary(Founder & CEO)Nick Mulka(CTO)Shaun Sengupta(COO)
Co-investorsCrucible Capitalavra
Isengard Industries manufactures production systems that enable allied nations to domestically produce precision-strike and counter-unmanned aircraft systems at scale and lower cost than traditional defense contractors.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningSan Francisco, US
Francisco Serra-Martins(Founder)inJames Tennant(Founder)in
Co-investorsY Combinator
Locus Lock designs software-defined GNSS receivers for accurate positioning in complex environments including deep urban, contested, and dynamic platforms for defense and commercial applications.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareIoTMobility & TransportationRoboticsSpace TechDenver, US
Co-investorsACADEMY INVESTORAIN VenturesAurelia FoundryRange VCTechstars
Lone Star Lunar operates space-based data storage and sovereign AI inference platforms called StarVaults, which orbit Earth and the Moon.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingSpace Tech
Co-investorsIronGate Capital AdvisorsScout VenturesScout VenturesThe Veteran Fund
Openi Analytics turns public, proprietary, and commercially available data into strategic intelligence using lawful OSINT, analytics, and AI-assisted workflows reviewed by human analysts.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
Steve Muntean(Founder)inRick Bruno(Chief Operating Officer)inMichael Carraway(Chief Data Officer)Patrick Powers(Chief Revenue Officer)in
Orion Edge Group develops modular RF (radio frequency) systems and software-defined signal generation solutions for defense and military applications in contested environments.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechHardware
John Mueller(Chief Executive Officer)Nicholas Teteris(Chief Operating Officer)David Hart(Chief Technology Officer)
Raven Space Systems develops Microwave Assisted Deposition (MAD) 3D printing technology to manufacture aerospace-grade thermoset and ceramic composite structures, thermal protection, and related parts.
Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechSpace Tech
Ryan Cowdrey(Cofounder)inBlake Herren(Cofounder)in
Co-investorsCapital FactoryFortySix Venture CapitalMana VenturesWhat If Ventures
Space Kinetic develops technology to enable frequent, low-cost maneuvering and operations for spacecraft and space systems.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Scott Ziegler(Founder)in
Co-investorsBalerion Space VenturesCALIFORNIA INNOVATIONIndustrious VenturesUP PartnersCerraCap Ventures
.jpeg){kind=logo}
Vatn Systems builds low-cost, high-volume autonomous underwater vehicles (UUVs), passive acoustic hydrophone arrays, and vehicle-agnostic navigation and signal-processing systems for undersea missions in GPS-denied, communications-contested waters.
Defense TechHardwareRoboticsPortsmouth, US
Geoff Manchesterin
BoardThomas Hendrix(Director)inGeoffrey Manchester(Director)Thomas Hennessey(Director)inNelson Mills(Executive Officer, Director)Frederick Mills(Director)in
Co-investorsBeyond CapitalBlue CollectiveBVVCCapital FactoryCentre Street PartnersChampion Hill Ventures+14 more
Develops AI-powered systems for detection and identification of unmanned aerial vehicles for airspace security.
Peachtree Corners, US
KYLE MELONEY(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardMARKUS DIEHL(Director)SALMAN ULLAH(Director)in
Co-investorsDiehl VenturesMerus Capital
Wild West Systems develops autonomous, reusable defense systems for the United States and its allies.
Deep TechDefense TechRoboticsLeander, US
David Franco(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsBVVCRaptor Group
ZeroEyes provides AI-based visual weapon detection software that integrates with existing security cameras to analyze live video feeds for visible firearms in real time, with detections verified by trained analysts in its operations center before alerts are dispatched to personnel and law enforcement.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityGovTechConshohocken, US
Sam Alaimo(Chief Revenue Officer)inMichael Lahiff(President and CEO)Rob Huberty(Founder)inEdward McCullough(Director)
BoardMichael Kim(Director)
Co-investorsBroadLight CapitalDreamit VenturesIntel CapitalOctave Ventures LlcStructural CapitalSorenson Ventures
Zulu Pods manufactures mission-critical components and sub-systems for the defense and aerospace industries with precision engineering and quality standards.
Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareCoral Springs, US
Daniella Sladen(CTO and Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsTamiami Angel
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AiriaCanvas MeIsengardOrion EdgeRaven DefenseZulu Pods
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Locus Lock · backswingventures.com · Feb 12, 2026
Vatn Systems · thedefensepost.com · Dec 17, 2025
Firehawk · finsmes.com · Nov 17, 2025
Hex · hpcwire.com · May 29, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Backswing Ventures made?
- Backswing Ventures has 24 tracked investments, including 4 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Backswing Ventures invest at?
- Backswing Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
- What sectors does Backswing Ventures focus on?
- Backswing Ventures focuses on Deep Tech, Defense Tech.
- Where is Backswing Ventures located?
- Backswing Ventures is headquartered in Windermere, US.
- Does Backswing Ventures lead rounds?
- Backswing Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Backswing Ventures co-invest with?
- Backswing Ventures most often shares deals with Cathexis Ventures, Draper Associates, Plains Ventures, among 7 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the team594th 1Mby1M Entrepreneurship Podcast with Kyle Asman, Backswing Ventures
1Mby1M Roundtables · Kyle Asman
MBS599 - Swinging for Success: Backswing Ventures' Proven Investment Approach with Kyle Asman
Matt Brown Show · Kyle Asman
594th 1Mby1M Roundtable with Kyle Asman, Backswing Ventures
1Mby1M Roundtables · Kyle Asman
Breakfast With An Investor: Kyle Asman, Backswing Ventures
KettleSpace · Kyle Asman
Images
Similar investors
8VC is a venture capital firm investing across logistics, life sciences, healthcare, IT infrastructure, and government/defense, guided by its Smart Enterprise thesis focused on data integration and platform network effects.
Lux Capital is a venture capital firm that backs founders building transformative deep technologies, having been among the first investors in category-defining companies across AI, robotics, biotech, defense, and infrastructure.
IronGate Capital Advisors manages funds that invest in companies and venture capital partnerships supporting dual-use technologies for U.S. and allied national security.
Blindspot Ventures is an infrastructure-focused technology investment fund that backs founders building foundational platforms, systems, and technologies for critical industries.
Phoenix Venture Partners invests in early to revenue-stage companies tackling major challenges in computing, electronics, transportation, energy, industrial, and life sciences, offering hands-on support and access to a network of strategic partners.