Tim Chrisman
Principal & Head of Research

Tim Chrisman is Principal and Head of Research at Andromeda Ventures, where he leads the firm’s research, diligence, and thesis development across defense, space, and frontier technologies. He translates defense-grade intelligence analysis into investable conviction, pressure-testing technical feasibility, founder claims, and go-to-market pathways against real procurement, policy, and regulatory constraints.

Tim is a retired U.S. Army Special Operations officer and former Senior Intelligence Officer at the CIA, where he supported the National Space Council and contributed to senior-level intelligence products, including material for the President’s Daily Brief. His analytic approach was developed in mission environments where flawed assumptions carried real-world consequences, shaping a disciplined, decision-grade methodology he now applies to investment research and portfolio support.

At Andromeda, Tim maintains deep relationships across the U.S. defense innovation ecosystem, including DIU, AFWERX and SOFWERX, NavalX, the Army Applications Lab, NSIN, prime contractors, and major mission owners. He works closely with founders across defense, space, and dual-use startups to navigate government and commercial procurement, map customer discovery to specific programs and budgets, translate certification and accreditation requirements into bid-ready strategies, and manage export controls, CFIUS considerations, and access to test and evaluation infrastructure.

In addition to his role at Andromeda, Tim previously led growth at Thor Dynamics, working directly with customers, program offices, and partners to advance government adoption of next-generation defense technologies. He is a published author and frequent speaker on the intersection of technology, capital, and geopolitics. His books include Humanity in Space: A Pre-History of Humanity’s Second Century in Space and Private Capital, Public Consequences: How Private Investors Are Reshaping Geopolitics, with a forthcoming work, The 1913 Fallacy: What Happens When China Loses. He has spoken at forums including the SmallSat Symposium, The Economist Impact Forum, and SALT, and founded the Foundation for the Future and the Association for Space Finance.