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Tanveer Kathawalla

Venture Partner at NextGen Venture Partners

Alexandria, Virginia

Overview 

Tanveer Kathawalla is a Defense & Industrial professional with a strong background in corporate finance, P&L management, and M&A. Currently serving as the Founder & Managing Director of Pioneer1890, he has also held key roles at companies like Anduril Industries and Logically, showcasing expertise in venture capital and strategic advisory. Highlights of Tanveer's career include founding Pioneer1890 and serving as the Global Head of M&A/Corporate Development at Logically, demonstrating a track record of successful entrepreneurship and leadership in the defense and industrial sectors.

Work Experience 

  • Founder & Managing Partner

    2024 - Current

    Acquiring and Scaling Companies Critical to American Security and Prosperity Operator-led independent sponsor partnering with mission-aligned capital to acquire and grow lower-middle-market and venture-backed businesses in high-impact sectors. We target founder-led and corporate carve-out opportunities at key inflection points—where our operational expertise unlocks transformational value. We specialize in national interest industries such as defense, aerospace, and government services, where complexity and disruption create outsized opportunity. We focus on companies with $3M–$15M in revenue, a path to profitability (or up to $5M EBITDA), and proven solutions adopted by government or enterprise customers. Our edge is unlocking growth in overlooked situations—whether a leadership transition, stalled growth, or structural complexity where we can bring hands-on operating and investment experience to scale market leading platforms. We also invest in high-potential companies aligned with national priorities, co-investing alongside leading venture and growth equity firms—including Founders Fund, a16z, and Bain Capital. Select investments include Anduril, Hazel (YC W24), Legacy (YC W19), and ChiroHD (Buy & Build).

  • Investor

    2023

    Re-inventing the defense industry

  • Global Head of M&A/ Corporate Development

    2022 - 2024

    Promoted to lead a global defense-focused roll-up strategy, overseeing Corporate Development and M&A teams. Successfully executed multiple acquisitions, including distressed and special situation deals.

  • Vice President, General Manager Americas

    2021 - 2023

    Founded and led the spin-out of an AI/ML business unit, driving strategy, growth, and full P&L ownership across U.S. federal, Fortune 500, and state & local markets. Appointed to the DHS advisory board and served on the global executive team

  • Strategic Advisor

    2020 - 2021

    Led the team to the first set of revenue-generating contracts in the US and supported the Global CEO and management team with strategic finance guidance during two rounds of growth funding. Led executive recruiting that resulted in the first US leadership hire.

  • COO & CFO

    2019 - 2019

    Elevated by the board to a dual role as COO and CFO, while also serving as Board Secretary.

  • CFO, Investor & Board Observer

    2016 - 2019

    Venture Capital backed (MIT Engine, Shasta Ventures, Flybridge) a Small Satellite company that commercialized the first optical communication telecommunication service. Founding executive team.

Hedron is building a network of data relay satellites that will link space and earth in real time.

  • Venture Partner

    2016 - 2019

  • Venture Capitalist

    2016 - 2016

    Grateful to have learned from an incredible group of founders, investors, and colleagues about early and growth stage venture capital.

NextGen Venture Partners invests in seed-stage companies with the participation of their venture partners.

  • Strategy Consultant

    2013 - 2015

    Grateful to start my career where I got to work with clients across the commercial and public sectors, from go-to-market entry to manpower strategy with the Department of Defense.

IBM is an IT technology and consulting firm providing computer hardware, software, infrastructure, and hosting services.

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