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 11 of 23 portfolio companiesDefense Tech ×6AI & Machine Learning ×5Hardware ×4Deep Tech ×3Robotics ×3Space Tech ×3Cybersecurity ×2Data & Infrastructure ×2
HQs:United States×9
Investments · 23 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12024 · 12 dated
BEAUTISTA is a platform for beauty industry students and professionals to build visual portfolios, take classes from beauty brands, and find jobs, scholarships, and mentorships.
EdTechHR TechMarketplaces
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)Tom Miller(CEO)James L. Jones III(Director)Ellen Tauscher(Director)Michael Hayden(Director)
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)
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
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 TechHardwareIoTRoboticsSpace TechDenver, US
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
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
Ryan Cowdrey(Cofounder)Blake Herren(Cofounder)
Vatn builds autonomous underwater vehicles and systems for underwater operations including surveillance, mine countermeasures, and payload delivery in GPS-denied environments.
Defense TechHardwareRoboticsPortsmouth, US
BoardThomas Hendrix(Director)Geoffrey Manchester(Director)Thomas Hennessey(Director)Nelson Mills(Executive Officer, Director)Frederick Mills(Director)
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)
Wild West Systems develops autonomous, reusable defense systems for the United States and its allies.
Deep TechDefense TechRobotics
ZeroEyes provides AI-powered visual weapon detection software that integrates with existing security cameras to identify firearms in real time.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechSaaSConshohocken, US
Michael Kim(Director)Sam Alaimo(Chief Revenue Officer)Edward McCullough(Director)Robert Huberty(COO and Treasurer)Michael Lahiff(President and CEO)
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)
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLocus Lock · backswingventures.com · Feb 12, 2026
Vatn Systems · thedefensepost.com · Dec 17, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- 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.
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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