Ethan Thornton, CEO of Mach, began developing weapons systems in high school and has since transformed his ambitions into a thriving defense tech company. Recently, Mach secured a contract with the U.S. military and plans to establish cross-functional factories. In an interview at the StrictlyVC 2025 event, Thornton shared insights on competing with China and the company's growth trajectory. His journey highlights the intersection of innovation and national security, as Mach aims to shape the future of defense technology.