Kyle James Asman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backswing Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage defense technology companies. Based in Orlando, Florida, he has built his career by combining financial experience with an entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to challenge traditional ways of thinking.
Before launching his own firm, Asman worked in banking, where he developed a strong understanding of capital markets, investor relationships, and business growth. That experience gave him access to opportunities, but more importantly, it gave him the confidence to pursue his own vision. In 2020, he founded Backswing Ventures because he believed venture capital could be approached differently. His goal was simple: create value through disciplined investing while delivering strong outcomes for investors.
Building a business during a global pandemic tested both his resolve and his leadership. Those experiences reinforced the values that continue to guide him today: resilience, continuous learning, and staying focused on long-term goals. He believes every investment, whether successful or not, offers lessons that improve future decisions.
Asman is known for setting quarterly goals, embracing challenges, and maintaining what he calls a “never quit mentality.” He enjoys proving that ambitious ideas can become reality through persistence and thoughtful execution.
Outside of work, Asman is an avid golfer, a passion reflected in the name Backswing Ventures. He approaches business much like the game itself—with patience, preparation, and the understanding that steady improvement often produces the best long-term results.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually start early by reviewing what happened overnight in the markets and checking in with our portfolio companies. After that, I focus on the three most important things I want to accomplish that day. I try to avoid filling every minute with meetings. I leave time to think because some of the best investment decisions come from having space to analyze rather than reacting quickly.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by asking whether the problem is real. If it is, I build a simple plan and start testing it. Backswing Ventures came from asking whether venture capital could be done differently. I believed it could, so I committed to building it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Defense technology. We’re seeing founders solve problems that seemed impossible only a few years ago. Innovation in this space is moving quickly, and I think we’re only getting started.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Setting goals every quarter. It gives me clear priorities and prevents me from getting distracted by things that don’t matter.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient. You don’t need every answer immediately. Keep learning, stay resilient, and don’t let setbacks define you.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think many venture capital firms overcomplicate investing. Sometimes saying “no” more often leads to better long-term results than constantly chasing the next exciting deal.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Review your decisions. I learn from every investment we make and every investment we pass on. Looking back honestly is one of the fastest ways to improve.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away for a little while. Sometimes I’ll play a few holes of golf or simply go for a walk. When I come back, the problem usually looks much clearer.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Relationships. Venture capital is built on trust. Whether it’s founders, investors, or advisors, strong relationships create opportunities that wouldn’t exist otherwise. I try to listen more than I talk because that’s usually where the best ideas come from.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Launching my first fund during a pandemic wasn’t how I imagined things would unfold. It forced me to adapt quickly and make decisions with limited information. Looking back, it strengthened my confidence because I learned that difficult situations don’t last forever if you keep moving forward.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a platform that helps retired executives connect with early-stage companies for short-term mentoring and project work. There is an incredible amount of experience that often goes unused, and startups could benefit from it without hiring full-time executives.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Excel. It isn’t flashy, but I use it every day to organize information, evaluate opportunities, and compare scenarios. Good decisions usually start with organized data.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Freakanomics, I read it for the first time in high school and it peaked my interest in economics as a whole, markets and the movement of capital is simply fascinating to me.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Landman. Its an accurate depiction of life, things always come up, and things don’t always go your way. Its how you deal with those things that matters.
Key learnings
- Resilience grows through difficult experiences, not easy ones.
- Reviewing past decisions honestly can improve future judgment.
- Quarterly goals help maintain focus while allowing room to adapt.
- Strong relationships are often the foundation for long-term business success.
- Big ideas become reality through disciplined execution, patience, and continuous learning.