He Dropped Out of MIT at 19 to Build America's Drone Arsenal. It's Working | StrictlyVC LA 2026

Short summary

Ethan Thornton founded Mach Industries at 16 and dropped out of MIT to build defense hardware including jet engines, missiles, and a VTOL aircraft for the U.S. Navy. His StrictlyVC LA 2026 interview with TechCrunch explores what it takes to build a serious defense hardware company. The conversation highlights why the U.S. government is increasingly relying on private sector innovation for national defense.

• •Young founder (dropped out of MIT at 19) running six simultaneous defense programs
• •Products include jet engines, cruise missiles, and a 40-foot VTOL strike aircraft
• •U.S. Navy contracting signals government acceleration in private defense tech

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