Terra Industries, a defense company founded by two Gen Z entrepreneurs, announced Monday that it raised $11.75 million in a funding round led by Joe Lonsdale's 8VC. The company designs infrastructure and autonomous systems to aid African governments and organizations in monitoring and responding to security threats.

Nathan Nwachuku, 22, CEO of Terra Industries, explained that the company aims to address the growing security challenges facing the African continent. He noted Africa's rapid industrialization, driven by a young population and increasing opportunities, is threatened by terrorism and insecurity. "Africa has more terror-related deaths than any region in the world, and it is this problem that could slow down or even stop completely the growth of the region," Nwachuku told TechCrunch.

Nwachuku, along with co-founder Maxwell Maduka, 24, launched Terra Industries to provide technologically advanced solutions to these challenges. The company utilizes artificial intelligence in its autonomous systems, enabling real-time threat detection and response. These systems are designed to analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, identifying patterns and anomalies that may indicate potential security threats. AI algorithms are employed to optimize resource allocation and improve the efficiency of security operations.

The use of AI in defense raises ethical considerations, including concerns about bias in algorithms and the potential for autonomous weapons systems. Terra Industries emphasizes that its systems are designed to augment human decision-making, not replace it. The company says it prioritizes transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of its AI-powered solutions.

The funding round included participation from Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, and Nova Global. Prior to this, Terra Industries secured an $800,000 pre-seed round. The new capital will be used to expand the company's operations, further develop its technology, and deploy its solutions across Africa. Nwachuku said there was significant interest in the company after its initial progress. The company aims to empower African nations to take control of their security and foster a more stable environment for economic growth and development.