It's not every day that a powerhouse venture capital firm like Sequoia Capital makes its first investment in the defense technology sector. When they do, you know the company has something special. That company is Mach Industries, founded by the remarkable Ethan Thornton, who embarked on this journey as a teenage MIT student before committing fully to his startup, now aged 21. Since its inception in 2023, Mach Industries has captured significant attention, raising over $80 million and positioning itself as a key player to watch.
Early Challenges: A Hydrogen Explosion and Lessons Learned
However, the path to becoming an industry darling wasn't without serious hurdles. As reported by Forbes and now discussed publicly by Thornton for the first time (during an appearance at StrictlyVC in San Francisco on April 3, 2025), Mach faced a significant setback just months before securing that crucial Sequoia seed funding in mid-2023.
A prototype hydrogen-powered gun the team was developing exploded violently, sending shrapnel flying and unfortunately injuring a team member. Addressing this incident, Thornton candidly attributed it to the constraints faced during the company's early, self-funded phase. "At the time, we were trying to self-fund it, and we didn’t have the money to sort of run these procedures the way they should have been," he explained, highlighting the critical link between resources and rigorous safety protocols.
Fueling Growth: How Investment Bolstered Safety and Vision
The explosion served as a stark wake-up call. According to Thornton, Mach Industries effectively halted all major work until the Sequoia Capital investment came through. This influx of capital wasn't just about growth; it was fundamental to establishing robust safety measures. Thornton confirmed that Mach now operates with a dedicated safety team, ensuring that development proceeds responsibly as they collaborate with the U.S. military on cutting-edge defense solutions.
Strategic Shift: Pivoting from Hydrogen to Advanced Weaponry
Interestingly, the early focus on hydrogen, a notoriously volatile element, has been reassessed. Thornton acknowledged that hydrogen was "probably a bad tech bet" for their immediate goals, suggesting it required more foundational development than initially anticipated.
This realization didn't stall the company; instead, it fueled a strategic pivot. Mach Industries has shifted its focus towards developing different, potentially more readily deployable, defense technologies. Current projects include innovative systems like a new cruise missile and a unique bomb named "Glide," designed for deployment from the edge of space.
Building the Future: $85M, Military Contracts, and Decentralized Manufacturing
This adaptability and focus on tangible prototypes seem key to Mach's success in attracting a total of $85 million from investors. The company isn't just building hardware; it's building relationships and pathways within the defense ecosystem. A recently secured U.S. Army contract stands as testament to their progress.
Furthermore, Mach is thinking about the future of defense manufacturing, announcing plans for "Forge," a network of decentralized factories. Thornton emphasizes that investor confidence stems not just from technical capability but from the demonstrated ability to navigate the complexities of the federal government. "It’s not necessarily my ability to build these things, but more so our ability to actually work with the federal government to get programs of record built around them," he noted.
Resilience and Government Collaboration
The journey of Mach Industries, under the leadership of its young founder Ethan Thornton, is a compelling narrative of ambition, resilience, and strategic adaptation. Overcoming a dangerous early setback, pivoting from their initial technology, and securing substantial funding and military contracts showcases a remarkable trajectory. Their focus on building not just technology, but the governmental and safety frameworks around it, positions Mach Industries as a fascinating and potentially formidable force in the evolving landscape of defense technology.
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