UNIQUELY POSITIONED
Successful technology investments in the defense and national security sector require an integrated understanding of applicable technology domains, US Government technology research and acquisition plans, defense prime integration and sales opportunities, and government contracting compliance regimes.
This rare convergence of expertise is limited to a very small number of individuals and organizations.
Tactical Ventures is uniquely positioned to provide advisory services at the intersection of these areas of expertise for select national security-focused investors - including investment funds, family offices, and private credit providers - and companies looking to access attractive opportunities in the rapidly accelerating national security technology sector.
ORIGINS
Tactical Ventures LLC is a commercially-focused, spin-off of ACME General Corp. (ACME), a leading defense innovation technology and advisory services company that has served multiple United States Department of Defense (USDoD) agencies and private companies since its founding in mid-2018.
Shortly after its founding, ACME was engaged, in October 2018, to provide technology advisory and commercial market research services & ecosystem outreach (to defense tech/dual-use companies & investors) for Army Futures Command (AFC) to support technology investments by Army Applications Laboratory. Building on this success, in March 2020, ACME was tabbed to apply technology advisory approaches validated with AFC to Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Catalyst-Pathfinder program to expand Army technology investment and transition activities (and created multiple successes integrating new technology innovations into transition and acquisition pathways.
In early 2021, ACME began providing advisory services–on a limited basis–to multiple defense and national security technology investment firms and technology companies leveraging its validated approaches and extensive networks throughout the defense innovation ecosystem.
In May 2025, ACME leadership officially launched Tactical Ventures to provide defense and national security technology advisory services to early & growth stage defense tech/dual-use companies, investment funds, family offices, and private credit providers (and their portfolio companies).
TEAM
The Tactical Ventures team delivers deep knowledge of defense & national security technology, including proven experience with:
- robotics, autonomous systems & human-machine teaming
- counter-threat capabilities
- sensing and situational awareness
- next-generation communications
- electromagnetic spectrum operations
- AI-enabled decision superiority
Our team has extensive networks extending across U.S. Congressional leaders, USDoD leaders (including the requirements & acquisitions communities), prime contractor executives, investors, and leading technology company executives.
In addition, we have an established database of and robust network among non-traditional defense/dual-use technology companies, startups, and founders.
As a result, we deliver extensive knowledge, deep understanding, and successful track record of impactful defense and national security technology investment and acquisition approaches to our clients.
LEADERSHIP
David Bonfili
Patrick Esposito
David Bonfili
Prior to co-founding Tactical and ACME, David served as a senior executive at investment firms Citadel, BlackRock, and Two Sigma and as a Research Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses, a DC-based federally-funded research and development center that works primarily for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). He is a f
Prior to co-founding Tactical and ACME, David served as a senior executive at investment firms Citadel, BlackRock, and Two Sigma and as a Research Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses, a DC-based federally-funded research and development center that works primarily for the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). He is a former nuclear submarine and naval intelligence officer and holds degrees from Harvard and Oxford where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Gary Lawson
Patrick Esposito
David Bonfili
Prior to his work with Tactical and ACME, Gary served in senior investment banking and early-stage tech operating roles. His advisory experience includes over $30 billion M&A transaction volume primarily focused on technology and aerospace/defense during tenures at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch. He also led and completed a $25MM Series
Prior to his work with Tactical and ACME, Gary served in senior investment banking and early-stage tech operating roles. His advisory experience includes over $30 billion M&A transaction volume primarily focused on technology and aerospace/defense during tenures at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch. He also led and completed a $25MM Series A equity raise as a hardware technology company CFO. Gary served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and holds a JD/MBA from the University of Virginia.
Patrick Esposito
Patrick Esposito
Patrick Esposito
Patrick brings over 20 years of experience with starting and scaling ventures to solve defense and national security problems and is deeply immersed in the defense technology ecosystem. Prior to co-founding ACME and Tactical, he founded, led, and advised multiple investment-backed, defense technology companies that were acquired by prime
Patrick brings over 20 years of experience with starting and scaling ventures to solve defense and national security problems and is deeply immersed in the defense technology ecosystem. Prior to co-founding ACME and Tactical, he founded, led, and advised multiple investment-backed, defense technology companies that were acquired by prime contractors. He holds a JD. from Georgetown, a masters from Oxford, and two bachelors (cum laude) from West Virginia University.