Defense tech darling Mach Industries hits $1.8B valuation, a 4x jump in a year

Mach Industries, led by 22-year-old founder and CEO Ethan Thornton, has raised another $300 million. The defense tech startup is now valued at $1.8 billion, has five autonomous vehicles in development, and recently completed a major acquisition.

The rapid valuation jump highlights investors’ growing appetite for defense tech startups, especially those building autonomous systems. Mach’s pace suggests the sector is shifting from experimental prototypes toward scaled platforms and consolidation.