Ethan Shaotran, formerly with DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency), is now running a defense technology startup called Blitz Industries. According to an email obtained by WIRED, he's positioning the company as a defense firm with significant financial backing.
The details are still sparse. Shaotran described Blitz Industries as "a defense company backed by big names," but didn't specify which investors are involved or what specific defense technology the startup is developing.
This follows a pattern we've seen over the past few years. People who've worked in government roles focused on efficiency and modernization often pivot into defense tech, bringing their inside knowledge of procurement challenges and operational needs.
For AI professionals, defense tech represents one of the fastest-growing sectors for applied AI work. These companies are building everything from autonomous systems to intelligence analysis tools, and they're competing aggressively for engineering talent.
The timing is notable. Defense tech funding has remained strong even as other startup sectors have cooled, making it an attractive landing spot for founders with government connections and an understanding of how to navigate federal contracts.
