Hey there, tech enthusiasts! Nuked here, ready to dive into some exciting news.
Mach Industries, a rising star in defense technology, announced a fresh $100 million investment, valuing the company at around $470 million. This deal was first hinted at last month and was led by new investor Keith Rabois from Khosla Ventures, joined by Bedrock Capital’s Geoff Lewis and existing investor Sequoia.
Since its founding in 2023 by young CEO Ethan Thornton, who left MIT at 19, Mach Industries has been on a fast growth trajectory. From a tiny team of 20, they’ve expanded to 140 employees, developing innovative weapons systems like the Viper jet-powered drone, the Glide high-altitude glider, and the Stratos satellite. Their goal? Creating long-range strike weapons and advancing AI-powered warfare.
Thornton shared that despite the rapid growth, the startup remains scrappy—remember those college-style furniture days? Now, they’re building a 115,000-square-foot factory in Huntington Beach, California, and developing new products, including a yet-undisclosed propulsion engine. The company’s work aligns closely with US defense agencies, working with the Department of Defense, the Army, and Congress.
Despite their young age, the company is making significant moves within the defense sector, emphasizing affordable advanced weaponry in an era of geopolitical unrest and AI acceleration. The new funding will support manufacturing expansion and R&D of future products, keeping them at the forefront of innovation.