Terrahaptix, a Nigerian defence drone startup, has raised $11.7 million in a funding round led by Joe Lonsdale, founder of Palantir Technologies and 8VC. The startup, co-founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachukwu (22) and Maxwell Maduka (24), builds drones, sentry towers, and unmanned ground vehicles to enhance security across Africa.

Other investors include Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, Leblon Capital GmbH, Silent Ventures LLC, Nova Global, and angel investor Melya Malka.

A key Palantir figure and 8VC non-executive director, Alex Moore, joined Terrahaptix’s board in 2025.

“Africa is industrialising faster than any other region… But none of that progress will matter if we don’t solve the continent’s greatest Achilles’ heel, which is insecurity and terrorism,” said Nwachukwu.

Operations & Achievements:

• Factory based in Abuja, Nigeria.
• Builds drones and unmanned systems to detect threats and alert security forces.
• Secured $12 million in infrastructure protection contracts across Africa as of August 2025.
• Provides security solutions to Nigeria’s hydropower facilities and mining operations in Ghana.

Use of Funding:

• Expand operations across Africa.
• Ramp up defence production.
• Scale its data intelligence operating system.

Terrahaptix’s mission is to give Africa a technological edge in counterterrorism and resource protection, addressing the continent’s growing security challenges as industrialisation accelerates.