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.

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 ↗

→

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

Isengard Industries Inc's investors · 2

Backswing VenturesWindermereY CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2026

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

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.

Network1

Andrew McMahon
Investor at Ridgeline Ventures

Investors connected to James in public investor directories — 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 – $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 mafia8,773

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Harvard Business School mafia323

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University of Sydney mafia35

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Jesse BuckinghamBachelor of EconomicsFounded Vooma +2Alek SafarianB.Pharm.Founded Vantage Biosciences +1Ryan JuneeBComFounded Parsable +1Ben SandComputer Science - 3.5 years completed.Founded Strong Compute +1Daniel DarlingEconomics Social SciencesFounded FocalPaul HunyorLLB / EconFounded OpenSC

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Australian Institute of Company Directors mafia13

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University of Technology Sydney mafia11

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Glen RamersanFounded RoomMeNathan KirchnerGrad Cert Higher Ed T&LFounded PresienAditya HaripurkarDiploma in Business and CommerceFounded HitPayArjun BisenBachelor of Business Administration - BBAFounded OverwatchSimon KubicaBachelor of CommerceFounded AlloyTy SharpBachelor of Business Administration - BBAFounded inBuild

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Same school

Also attended University of Technology Sydney97

Glen RamersanManaging Partner, Head of Indonesia at TNBAuraGarry 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 Ventures

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Also attended University of Sydney255

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

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Brad GerstnerFounder & CEO of Altimeter CapitalAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesTim DraperFounder of Draper AssociatesMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner PerkinsNeeraj AgrawalGeneral Partner at Battery VenturesHristo BorisovCo-founder & CEO of Payhawk

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Also attended Australian Institute of Company Directors137

John DysonInvestment Principal at Starfish VenturesHelen SounessVenture Partner at RampersandTim HeasleyPartner at ArtesianKirsten BernhardtPrincipal at ArtesianJordan JeffreyPrincipal at ArtesianStephanie MorrisPrincipal at Artesian

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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 Partners2

Jack DaleyInvestment Associate at King River CapitalLucas da CostaFounder at Briefer