Starting a venture capital firm is never easy. Starting one in 2020, as the world shut down, was an even bigger challenge. Kyle Asman could have waited for a better time. Instead, he trusted his experience, committed to his vision, and built the business anyway.
Today, Asman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backswing Ventures, an Orlando-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage defense technology companies. His path from banking to venture capital was driven by a simple belief: there was a better way to invest, support founders, and create value for investors.
“I started the business because I believe there was a better way to do venture capital,” Asman says.
That belief became the foundation of a career built on thoughtful decisions, resilience, and the willingness to turn an idea into reality.
How Kyle Asman Started His Career
Long before founding his own firm, Asman built his foundation in banking. The work gave him firsthand experience with capital markets, investor relationships, and business finance. It also exposed him to a steady flow of investment opportunities.
Over time, he found himself asking a different question.
Instead of helping others deploy capital, why not build a firm that could do it his own way?
“I worked in banking and had good access to capital and deal flow, then realized I wanted to invest myself,” he says.
That decision changed the direction of his career.
Rather than following a traditional path, Asman chose entrepreneurship.
Why Kyle Asman Founded Backswing Ventures
In 2020, Asman launched Backswing Ventures in New Jersey before relocating the business to Florida the following year.
The firm’s name comes from one of his favorite hobbies.
“The company name is Backswing because I love golf,” he says.
The name reflects more than a pastime. Golf rewards patience, preparation, and consistency. Those same qualities shape how Asman approaches investing.
From the beginning, Backswing Ventures focused on early-stage defense technology companies. Instead of trying to invest across every sector, Asman believed specialization would lead to better decisions.
He also wanted to create a venture capital firm that emphasized efficient execution and long-term relationships with investors.
“Our sole cause is to deliver returns for our investors,” he says.
Building Through Uncertainty
Launching a new company is difficult under normal circumstances. Launching one during a global pandemic added another level of uncertainty.
Asman also faced significant challenges during his first fund.
“I have faced a pandemic and an SEC investigation in my first fund and overcome both,” he says.
Rather than allowing those experiences to define the business, he focused on adapting.
The lessons became part of his leadership philosophy.
“Resiliency and thick skin.”
He repeats those words often because they reflect his experience rather than theory.
Every founder encounters setbacks. The difference, he believes, is how they respond.
“The never quit mentality, there is always going to be challenges but you learn and grow from them.”
Those experiences helped Backswing Ventures continue growing, eventually launching three successful funds.
“It has been a long journey to launch three successful funds, but I would do it all again,” Asman says.
Why Learning Drives Every Investment Decision
One of the strongest themes throughout Asman’s career is continuous learning.
Unlike many industries where results appear quickly, venture capital requires patience. Investment decisions often take years to fully play out.
That reality makes every decision valuable.
“We learn daily from every investment we do or don’t make,” he says.
Notice that he includes the investments his firm chooses not to pursue.
For Asman, saying no can be just as important as saying yes.
Every opportunity improves judgment, whether it becomes part of the portfolio or not.
How Kyle Asman Defines Success
Many business leaders describe success in terms of growth, recognition, or company size.
Asman keeps his definition much simpler.
“I define success as reaching or achieving the goals you set.”
That philosophy shapes how he manages his own work.
Instead of setting annual goals and forgetting about them, he breaks progress into smaller timeframes.
“I set goals on a quarterly basis,” he says.
Quarterly planning creates regular opportunities to evaluate progress, adjust priorities, and remain focused.
It also reinforces something he believes strongly: success comes from consistent execution, not occasional breakthroughs.
Bringing Big Ideas to Life
Throughout his career, Asman has enjoyed challenging conventional thinking.
“I love to prove people wrong when they say things can’t be done,” he says.
That mindset explains much of his professional journey.
He left a stable career in banking.
He started a venture capital firm during one of the most uncertain business environments in recent history.
He built a firm around a specialized sector instead of following broader market trends.
Those decisions required confidence, but they also required discipline.
Perhaps the biggest lesson he has learned is appreciating the process itself.
“I enjoy every single day, the good and the bad, and I have learned how important that is in long-term success,” he says.
For Kyle Asman, bringing big ideas to life has never been about chasing attention. It has been about identifying opportunities, committing to a clear vision, learning from every experience, and continuing to move forward.
His story shows that meaningful careers are rarely built in perfect conditions. More often, they are built by people willing to stay focused, adapt, and keep going long after others have stopped.
