Academy Ventures is strengthening its investment team with the appointment of Rob Born as Partner, bringing decades of experience across venture capital, technology operations and investment banking to the firm’s growing portfolio.
The venture capital arm of Academy Securities said Born’s arrival will support the expansion of its investment strategy, with a particular focus on defense technology and companies connected to the military veteran community.
New Appointment Signals Bigger Venture Ambitions
Born joins Academy Ventures as the firm looks to build on an investment record that already includes more than 20 companies.
Those investments have so far been financed with capital from the firm’s internal partners, although Academy Ventures plans to bring in selected outside investors in the near future.
His appointment comes as the firm seeks to deepen its involvement with early-stage businesses operating in sectors where technology and national security increasingly overlap.
Born Brings 25 Years of Industry Experience
Born has spent approximately 25 years working across venture capital, investment banking and technology companies.
Before joining Academy Ventures, he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Business Development at Vocera Communications, a healthcare communications technology company that was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker VCRA.
Earlier in his career, Born was a Partner at Thomas Weisel Venture Partners, where he worked with an early-stage technology venture capital fund.
He began his professional career in technology investment banking at Montgomery Securities.
Strong Academic and Legal Background
Born’s professional background is supported by degrees from leading American institutions.
He earned a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Duke University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College.
He is also a member of the State Bar of California, adding a legal perspective to his experience in technology investing, corporate development and financial markets.
Academy Ventures Targets Veteran-Led Companies
Academy Ventures was established as the venture capital arm of Academy Securities, with an investment mandate centered on military veteran-led and veteran-operated companies as well as early-stage businesses developing defense technologies.
The platform’s approach combines investment with partnerships designed to support companies operating in areas that can benefit from Academy’s connections across the military, financial and business communities.
Academy Securities Expands Its Broader Financial Platform
Academy Ventures operates within Academy Securities, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer that describes itself as a leading veteran-owned investment bank.
The broader firm operates across capital markets, asset management, public finance, geopolitical intelligence, fixed income and equity trading.
Its offices span New York, Chicago, San Diego, Chapel Hill, Louisville, Austin, Dallas, Sacramento and West Palm Beach.
Defense Technology Emerges as a Central Investment Focus
Born’s appointment underscores Academy Ventures’ intention to expand its presence in defense technology while continuing to back businesses led and operated by military veterans.
With more than 20 investments already completed and plans to attract selected external capital, the addition of an investor with Born’s combination of venture and technology experience could mark a significant new phase for the firm’s venture strategy.
