TL;DR
Terra Industries, founded by two young Nigerian entrepreneurs, exited stealth with an $11.75M funding round led by 8VC to build autonomous defense and infrastructure-protection systems. The company sells hardware and a data-processing subscription, runs software called ArtemisOS, and plans African manufacturing plus software offices in San Francisco and London.
What happened
Two Nigerian founders — Nathan Nwachuku (22) and Maxwell Maduka (24) — revealed Terra Industries has emerged from stealth with $11.75 million in new financing led by Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC. Other backers include Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel and Nova Global, while African investors named are Tofino Capital, Kaleo Ventures and DFS Lab. Terra had previously closed an $800,000 pre-seed round. The Abuja-based startup develops a mix of airborne, ground and fixed infrastructure systems, and a proprietary software platform called ArtemisOS that aggregates and analyzes sensor data in real time to alert response forces. Product lines include long- and short-range drones, surveillance towers and ground drones; maritime capabilities for offshore rigs and underwater pipelines are still under development. Terra reports more than $2.5 million in commercial revenue, protection of assets valued at roughly $11 billion, and has won a federal contract it declined to detail. The company intends to expand manufacturing across Africa and open software offices in San Francisco and London.
Why it matters
- Seeks to reduce African reliance on foreign intelligence and defense services by building local capabilities.
- Blends hardware, software and autonomous systems to protect critical infrastructure across multiple domains (air, land, sea).
- Plans for local manufacturing could create jobs and deepen defense-related industrial capacity on the continent.
- A mix of military-experienced engineers and venture backers may speed deployment and adoption by regional governments and private operators.
Key facts
- Funding: $11.75 million Series A-style round led by 8VC.
- Prior financing: $800,000 pre-seed round.
- Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria.
- Founders: Nathan Nwachuku (CEO, 22) and Maxwell Maduka (CTO, 24).
- Products: long- and short-range drones, ground drones, surveillance towers; maritime tech under development.
- Software: ArtemisOS ingests and analyzes data in real time and notifies response forces.
- Revenue and customers: more than $2.5M in commercial revenue; protecting assets valued at about $11B; protects at least two hydropower plants and several smaller mines.
- Team & advisors: about 40% of engineers previously held the same role in the Nigerian military; Alex Moore (8VC) on the board and Vice Air Marshal Ayo Jolasinmi advising.
- Business model: hardware sales plus annual fees for data processing and storage.
- Expansion plans: open software offices in San Francisco and London while keeping manufacturing in Africa and adding more factories.
What to watch next
- Execution of planned factory expansions across Africa and related job-creation impacts.
- Progress and timelines for the company’s maritime product line to protect offshore rigs and underwater pipelines.
- How ArtemisOS evolves with a larger AI team and the opening of software offices in San Francisco and London.
- Details and scope of the undisclosed federal contract the company says it has won.
Quick glossary
- Defense prime: A large company that designs, builds and integrates major defense systems and manages programs for government customers.
- Autonomous systems: Machines or platforms that can perform tasks with minimal human intervention, often using sensors and onboard computing.
- Geofencing: A virtual perimeter around a physical location that can trigger alerts or actions when devices or objects cross it.
- Pre-seed round: An early funding round intended to support initial product development and market validation before larger venture rounds.
- Proprietary software: Software owned by a company whose source code and distribution are controlled by that company.
Reader FAQ
Who founded Terra Industries?
Nathan Nwachuku (CEO) and Maxwell Maduka (CTO) founded the company.
How much did Terra raise and who led the round?
Terra announced an $11.75M round led by Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC, with several other institutional and African investors participating.
Where is Terra based and where will it manufacture?
Terra is based in Abuja, Nigeria, and says manufacturing will remain in Africa with plans to open more factories.
Are there details on the federal contract Terra mentioned?
Not confirmed in the source.
After five years of building an edtech company, Nathan Nwachuku, 22, realized that Africa was at a crossroads. The continent is undergoing rapid industrialization, he told TechCrunch. There is money,…
Sources
- These Gen Zers just raised $11.75M to put Africa’s defense back in the hands of Africans
- news-sitemap-archive.xml – Attractions Management
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