Mach CEO on Building a Defense Tech Company in Your 20s

Mach CEO's Journey from High School Projects to Military Contracts

Ethan Thornton, the CEO of Mach, has demonstrated a long-standing interest in weapons systems design and construction, beginning in his high school years. This early passion has evolved into a company that has recently secured a contract with the U.S. military.

Mach's Vision: Cross-Functional Factories

Mach is not simply focused on fulfilling its current contract; the company is actively developing plans for the creation of cross-functional factories. These facilities are intended to be highly adaptable and capable of producing a diverse range of products.

Insights from the StrictlyVC 2025 Event

During the StrictlyVC 2025 event held in San Francisco, Charles Rollet of TechCrunch engaged in an interview with Thornton. The discussion centered on Mach’s strategic objectives, its competitive stance against Chinese manufacturers, and Thornton’s formative experiences with weapons development.

Competing with China

A key aspect of Mach’s strategy involves directly addressing the challenge posed by Chinese competition in the manufacturing sector. The company aims to establish a robust and innovative production capability to effectively contend for market share.

Early Beginnings in Weapon Development

The conversation also touched upon Thornton’s early involvement in designing and building weapons systems. This background provides valuable insight into the technical expertise that underpins Mach’s current endeavors.

Thornton’s trajectory, from a high school enthusiast to a CEO with a U.S. military contract, highlights a commitment to innovation and a strategic vision for the future of manufacturing.