James Tennant
FounderFounder at Isengard Industries Inc
Sydney, Australia
Writes $100K β $5M checks Β· typically $1.5M
Find your path to James
631 people in our graph share verified history with James β schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
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.
Founder at Isengard Industries IncYC S26
Intro paths
James went through Y Combinator (Summer 2026) β any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
Their group partner at YC was Gustaf Alstromer β the partner who ran Isengard Industries Inc's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile β
In turn, James can intro founders to Isengard Industries Inc's investors below.
Isengard Industries Inc's investors Β· 2
Co-founders at Isengard Industries Inc
Experience
- BOKA CapitalPartner (Gulf / JAPAC)current2024 β presentLondon UK | UAE | Japan
- Australian ArmyOfficer - Special Warfare Capabilitiescurrent2022 β presentAustralia
- Rabdan AcademyResearch Fellowcurrent2026 β presentAbu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
- Australian Strategic Policy InstituteFellowcurrent2023 β presentCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- AUKUS DINCo-Chaircurrent2023 β present
- BalmoralFounder / Directorcurrent2024 β presentSydney / London
- Gilmour Space TechnologiesSenior Partnercurrent2021 β presentBroadbeach, Queensland, Australia
- AdargaDirector - Australia2022 β 2024Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- VCA PartnersDirector2022 β 2024Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- RidgelineInternational Partner2021San Francisco Bay Area
- RidgelineInternational Partner & Head of Private Capital Markets2020 β 2021San Francisco Bay Area
- Clinton Capital PartnersPartner2015 β 20191.09, 350 George St, Sydney 2000
- Shaw and PartnersAssociate Advisor & Portfolio Management2014 β 2015Greater Sydney Area
- Shaw and PartnersCorporate Finance / Trading & Broking2013 β 2014Castlereagh St, Sydney
Skills & more
+12 more
Microsoft ExcelStrategyPortfolio ManagementBusiness StrategyManagementCustomer ServiceInvestmentsValuationStart-upsInvestment BankingFinancial ModelingFinance- Foundations of Cyber Security β Academy Xi
- The Business and Economics of Space β Sphere
- Diploma of Financial Planning + SMSF (RG146) β Monarch Institute
From James's professional profile.
Network1
Investors connected to James in public investor directories β a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is James Tennant?
- 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.
- Where does James Tennant work?
- James Tennant is Founder of Isengard Industries Inc.
- What check size does James Tennant write?
- James Tennant typically writes checks of $100K β $5M.
- What companies did James Tennant found?
- James Tennant founded Isengard Industries Inc.
- Where did James Tennant go to school?
- James Tennant studied at University of Technology Sydney (Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Engineering and Information Technology); University of Sydney (Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), International Business); Harvard Business School (Private Equity and Venture Capital).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia10,230
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 10,223 more
Harvard Business School mafia893
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 886 more
University of Sydney mafia109
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 102 more
University of Technology Sydney mafia58
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 51 more
Australian Institute of Company Directors mafia37
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 30 more
Same school
Also attended University of Technology Sydney204
+ 198 more
Also attended University of Sydney454
+ 448 more
Also attended Harvard Business School2,000
+ 1,994 more
Also attended Australian Institute of Company Directors234
+ 228 more





























































