Why Is the US Military Buying Weapons From a 21-Year-Old?

Mach Industries: The 21-Year-Old War Mogul 🔥 (Undisclosed Army Contract)

Ethan Thornton dropped out of MIT after his first year to start Mach Industries. Now, at 21, he’s locked in a major US Army contract and is building a weapons factory from scratch.

💡 Why It Matters:

• Most 21-year-olds are blackout drunk, screaming at red candles. This guy is negotiating missile deals.

• The US is ramping up defense spending. If you’re building military tech, the money is endless.

• Government contracts = startup cheat codes. No churn, no ads, just guaranteed billion-dollar deals.

🎓 What You Can Learn From This:

• You don’t need investors if your customer is the US government.

• College is optional, but knowing how to network with the right people isn’t.

• If you solve a problem big enough for the military, you’ll never need to fundraise again.

🔮 Prediction: By 2030, startups will be pitching "missiles-as-a-service."

Shield AI: AI Drones Take Flight ☠️ ($240M Raised)

Shield AI just raised $240M at a $5.3B valuation to build autonomous fighter jets that make split-second kill decisions. Without human input…

💡 Why It Matters:

• AI drones don’t get tired. No hesitation. No breaks. No mercy.

• The US military is going all-in on AI-powered warfare. Autonomous jets? Just the beginning.

• This is Black Mirror-level tech, and it’s already here.

🎓 What You Can Learn From This:

• Regulation moves slower than technology. By the time the government figures out how to regulate AI weapons, we’ll have robot generals.

• Defense tech doesn’t need a consumer market. If the Pentagon wants it, it’ll get funded.

• Every big AI company will eventually have to choose: work for the government or fight against it.

🔮 Prediction: Within five years, some startup CEO will be on trial for "AI war crimes."

Ataraxis AI: Personalized Cancer Treatment 🏥 ($20M Raised)

Not all cancer patients need chemo. Ataraxis AI just raised $20M to personalize treatment based on each patient’s biology. Using AI.

💡 Why It Matters:

• Chemo isn’t one-size-fits-all. This startup is working to make treatment actually personal.

• Investors are betting big on AI-driven healthcare.

• If this works, insurance companies will fight over it.

🎓 What You Can Learn From This:

• If your startup can save lives AND make money, you’ve hit the jackpot. Investors love a feel-good cash cow.

• The best businesses solve pain. Literal pain. The bigger the problem, the bigger the funding.

• AI isn’t just replacing jobs. It’s coming for your doctor’s clipboard. Next stop: AI lawyers, AI therapists, AI everything.

🔮 Prediction: In five years, your doctor might be an AI.

🔥 MEME BREAK 🔥

Discord: Gamers to Wall Street 🎙️ ($15B IPO Rumors)

The chat app that went from Call of Duty lobbies to startup HQs is reportedly discussing an IPO at a $15B valuation.

💡 Why It Matters:

• Discord has become the default communication tool for gamers, startups, and crypto bros.

• It has zero ads, no algorithm, and no TikTok clone. Unlike every other social app, Discord actually feels human.

• This IPO could determine if "free-to-use, community-driven" platforms can actually be sustainable.

🎓 What You Can Learn From This:

• If your product is so good people don’t care about the business model, you’re doing something right.

• Monetization doesn’t have to be obvious from day one. If the product is essential enough, money will follow.

• Going public = playing by Wall Street’s rules. If investors panic, expect "Nitro Platinum Diamond Executive Gold Deluxe" for $199/month.

🔮 Prediction: Discord will either become the next Slack or sell out to Microsoft when investors start asking questions.

Startup Idea of the Week: The Billionaire Brunch Club 🍾

Why settle for networking events when you could be sipping mimosas with millionaires?

💡 How It Works:

• Exclusive brunch meetups for founders, VCs, and influencers.

• AI-powered matchmaking ensures you sit next to someone worth talking to.

• Premium pricing ($500-$1,000 per event) keeps out the broke & boring.

🔮 Challenges:

• Could just turn into a flex-fest with zero real value.

• Need to actually attract billionaires, not just LinkedIn clout chasers.

• If it works, Soho House clones it.

🔮 Verdict: Someone will 100% launch this in NYC soon.

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far, respect. We appreciate you reading and being part of this wild ride.

See you next week. Same day, same time.

-The FOMO Report Team

Disclaimer: This newsletter runs on caffeine, late-night rabbit holes, and way too many Red Bulls.