Backswing Ventures
Venture capitalWindermere · Pre-Seed–Series B · 2 people tracked
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 · 2 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 16 of 23 portfolio companiesDefense Tech ×7Hardware ×7AI & Machine Learning ×6Deep Tech ×5Space Tech ×5Robotics ×4Advanced Manufacturing ×3Cybersecurity ×3
HQs:United States×12
Investments · 23 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12024 · 12 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)Norm Willox(Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer of Bluewater International)James L. Jones III(Director)Tom Miller(CEO)Laura 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)Andrew 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+13 more
Hex builds drone docking hardware ("drone-in-a-box" stations like Atlas and Universal) and software (hexair) that automate takeoff, landing, and robotic battery swapping to run drones autonomously without pilots.
Deep TechHardwareRobotics
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)Rick Bruno(Chief Operating Officer)Michael Carraway(Chief Data Officer)Patrick Powers(Chief Revenue Officer)
Orion Edge Group builds tactical electronic warfare systems, including autonomous electronic attack systems for small-unit spectrum dominance and software-defined signal generation used as training emitters for live contested environments.
Deep TechDefense TechHardware
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)Blake Herren(Cofounder)
Co-investorsCapital FactoryFortySix Venture CapitalMana VenturesWhat If Ventures
Space Kinetic develops the Whirlwind platform, a system that deploys micro-payloads from a host spacecraft at high velocities without using a thruster by decoupling propulsion from the payload.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Co-investorsBalerion Space VenturesIndustrious VenturesUP PartnersCerraCap Ventures
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 ManchesterFreddie Mills
BoardThomas Hendrix(Director)inGeoffrey Manchester(Director)Thomas Hennessey(Director)inNelson Mills(Executive Officer, Director)
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)
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 TechRobotics
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)inRobert Huberty(COO and Treasurer)Michael Lahiff(President and CEO)Rob Huberty(Founder)inEdward McCullough(Director)
BoardMichael Kim(Director)
Co-investorsBroadLight CapitalDreamit VenturesIntel CapitalOctave Ventures LlcStructural CapitalSorenson Ventures
Sunrise, US
Robert Sladen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Todd Currier(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Daniella Sladen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Troy Cunningham(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Joseph K Cunningham(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Zulu Pods designs and manufactures components for small engines, including its ZPOD and EPOD fluid delivery systems, precision fuel systems, and turbine air starters.
Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareCoral Springs, US
Co-investorsTamiami Angel
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLocus 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
Raven Space Systems · spacenews.com · Mar 5, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Backswing Ventures made?
- Backswing Ventures has 7 tracked investments.
- 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
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