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Mach CEO on building defense tech company in your 20s
Mach CEO Ethan Thornton, who has been developing weapons systems since high school, founded a defense tech company that secured a U.S. military contract and aims to create cross-functional factories, as discussed during an interview at the StrictlyVC 2025 event in San Francisco, focusing on competition with China.
Key points
- Ethan Thornton started developing weapons systems in high school.
- Mach secured a contract with the U.S. military.
- The company plans to establish cross-functional factories.
- The interview was conducted by TechCrunch’s Charles Rollet at a 2025 event.
- Mach's focus includes competing with Chinese defense technology.
Why it matters
- The rise of private defense contractors is a notable trend in the current tech landscape.
- In 2025, the defense industry increasingly emphasizes advanced technology to compete with global powers.
- Thornton’s journey represents a new wave of young tech entrepreneurs entering the defense sector.
Ethan Thornton's achievements with Mach showcase the intersection of youthful ambition and the evolving landscape of defense technology, particularly in the context of competition with global leaders like China.