At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Mach Industries CEO Ethan Thornton showcased cutting-edge AI defense tools, underlining the growing impact of startups in the national security and defense tech landscape.
San Francisco, August 2025 – AI startups took center stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, with Mach Industries CEO Ethan Thornton drawing attention for his keynote on next-generation defense technology. Addressing a packed audience, Thornton detailed how Mach Industries is deploying artificial intelligence to develop smarter, faster, and more autonomous defense solutions.
The company, founded by Thornton a 22 year-old MIT dropout is one of the most closely watched players in the AI + defense space. Backed by investors like Bedrock and Sequoia, Mach has quickly gained recognition for integrating AI with real-time tactical systems, including autonomous surveillance and decision-making software.
At Disrupt, Thornton emphasized how AI is reshaping the future of national defense. “The battlefield of tomorrow will be software-defined,” he said, calling for greater public-private collaboration in securing global AI leadership.
Mach Industries is part of a broader wave of AI-first startups targeting traditional government sectors like defense, intelligence, and infrastructure. With geopolitical tensions rising and AI investment booming, firms like Mach are helping shift the narrative from legacy defense contractors to nimble, innovation-led companies.
TechCrunch analysts noted that Disrupt 2025 featured a record number of defense-adjacent startups, including those building dual-use AI tools for both civilian and military applications.
The spotlight on Thornton's address reflects broader concerns about global AI competition, especially as countries race to harness the technology for strategic advantage. In the U.S., startups like Mach are increasingly seen as vital partners for the Department of Defense’s modernization agenda.
While controversial, AI in defense remains a magnet for talent and funding. With billions flowing into military-grade AI capabilities, founders like Thornton are at the forefront of a new era — where innovation, security, and ethics collide.
