Fundraising Fox

James Tennant

Founder

Founder at Isengard Industries Inc

Sydney, Australia

Writes $100K – $5M checks · typically $1.5M

FoundedIsengard Industries Inc · YC

About

James Tennant is a Partner at BOKA Capital responsible for defence and dual-use technology investing across AUKUS allies, Japan, Asia Pacific, and the Gulf region, based in the UAE. He sources and structures investments in autonomy, quantum, space, AI, cyber, and industrial resilience, connecting allied technology needs with capital from Gulf and Asia Pacific sources. Tennant founded the AUKUS Defence Investor Network, serves as a Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, holds a commission in the Australian Army Reserve, and is completing a PhD in Finance and Economics in Defence and National Security at the University of Technology Sydney.

LinkedIn ↗

Founder at Isengard Industries IncYC S26

Intro paths

YC

James went through Y Combinator (Summer 2026) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.

GP

Their group partner at YC was Gustaf Alstromer — the partner who ran Isengard Industries Inc's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗

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In turn, James can intro founders to Isengard Industries Inc's investors below.

Isengard Industries Inc's investors · 2

Backswing VenturesY Combinator

Co-founders at Isengard Industries Inc

FSFrancisco Serra-Martins
Francisco Serra-MartinsFounder

Experience

  1. BOKA CapitalPartner (Gulf / JAPAC)current2024 — presentLondon UK | UAE | Japan
  2. Australian ArmyOfficer - Special Warfare Capabilitiescurrent2022 — presentAustralia
  3. Rabdan AcademyResearch Fellowcurrent2026 — presentAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
  4. Australian Strategic Policy InstituteFellowcurrent2023 — presentCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  5. AUKUS DINCo-Chaircurrent2023 — present
  6. BalmoralFounder / Directorcurrent2024 — presentSydney / London
  7. Gilmour Space TechnologiesSenior Partnercurrent2021 — presentBroadbeach, Queensland, Australia
  8. AdargaDirector - Australia2022 — 2024Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  9. VCA PartnersDirector2022 — 2024Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  10. RidgelineInternational Partner2021San Francisco Bay Area
  11. RidgelineInternational Partner & Head of Private Capital Markets2020 — 2021San Francisco Bay Area
  12. Clinton Capital PartnersPartner2015 — 20191.09, 350 George St, Sydney 2000
  13. Shaw and PartnersAssociate Advisor & Portfolio Management2014 — 2015Greater Sydney Area
  14. Shaw and PartnersCorporate Finance / Trading & Broking2013 — 2014Castlereagh St, Sydney

Education

  1. University of Technology SydneyDoctor of Philosophy - PhD, Engineering and Information Technology
  2. University of SydneyBachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), International Business2011 — 2014
  3. Harvard Business SchoolPrivate Equity and Venture Capital
  4. Macquarie UniversityGraduate Certificate, Applied Finance2015 — 2016
  5. Australian Institute of Company DirectorsCompany Directors Course, MAICD - Company Ethics and Director's Responsibilities
  6. Sydney Church of England Grammar SchoolHigh School

Skills & more

Corporate DevelopmentFinancial AnalysisCorporate FinanceSalesMergers & AcquisitionsTeamworkMarketing StrategyDue DiligenceVenture CapitalPrivate EquityCorporate AdvisoryBusiness Development
+12 moreMicrosoft ExcelStrategyPortfolio ManagementBusiness StrategyManagementCustomer ServiceInvestmentsValuationStart-upsInvestment BankingFinancial ModelingFinance
  • Foundations of Cyber Security — Academy Xi
  • The Business and Economics of Space — Sphere
  • Diploma of Financial Planning + SMSF (RG146) — Monarch Institute

From James's professional profile.

Same school

Also attended University of Technology Sydney79

Garry VisontayPartner at Right Click CapitalMichelle SuttonFinancial Controller at Square Peg CapitalBree FedeleHead of Marketing & Communications at AirTree VenturesDave ParfettOperating Principal at AirTree VenturesKatie SeoFinance Manager at AirTree VenturesRaaj RayatPrincipal at AirTree Ventures

+ 73 more

Also attended University of Sydney206

Clay RobbinsForward Deployed Partner at Slow VenturesClare McCartney BeerCOO & Managing Director at Burda Principal InvestmentsTony NystenPartner at OpenOceanNaomi GunasekaranDeputy Chief Financial Officer, Funds - Finance at Magnetar AI VenturesJethro CohenPrincipal at Square Peg CapitalOsh JayasuriyaInvestment Operations Manager at Square Peg Capital

+ 200 more

Also attended Harvard Business School1,777

Brad GerstnerFounder & CEO of Altimeter CapitalAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesJim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalTim DraperFounder of Draper AssociatesMike Maples JrCo-founding Partner at FloodgateMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner Perkins

+ 1,771 more

Also attended Australian Institute of Company Directors106

Tim HeasleyPartner at ArtesianKirsten BernhardtPrincipal at ArtesianJordan JeffreyPrincipal at ArtesianStephanie MorrisPrincipal at ArtesianRachel YangPartner at Giant LeapGeorgia BarkellDirector at Sprint Ventures

+ 100 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Adarga1

Anthony MensierPrincipal and Director of the Silent Unseen Incubator at Expeditions

Also worked at Ridgeline4

Ben WalkerInvestor at Ridgeline VenturesAndrew McMahonInvestor at Ridgeline VenturesRyan ClintonInvestor at Ridgeline VenturesJack PlankAnalyst at Conversion Capital

Also worked at Shaw and Partners1

Jack DaleyInvestment Associate at King River Capital

Network1

Andrew McMahon
Investor at Ridgeline Ventures

Investors connected to James in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.