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Terra Industries completes $52 million seed round financing. By: www.528btc.com | 2026/08/17 15:25:00 CoinWorld reported: African defense technology company Terra Industries announced an additional $18 million in financing, bringing its total seed round to $52 million. Investors in this round include 8VC, founded by Joe Lonsdale, Silent Ventures, and Nova Global. The company plans to use the new funds to expand manufacturing capacity, advance product deployment, and accelerate overseas expansion. Continued Expansion After Financing Founded in 2024, Terra primarily develops autonomous systems and defense infrastructure such as drones and mine detection vehicles. The company stated that the latest funds will be used to expand manufacturing operations in the "Global South," while also hiring more employees and accelerating product rollout. According to the company's disclosed plans, Terra will also establish an office in London and hopes to further enter San Francisco and Washington, D.C. to secure more capital support and U.S. collaboration resources. Targeting Localized Defense Supply Chains Terra aims to penetrate markets in Africa and other developing regions that have long relied on external defense supplies. The company claims that its current competitors are mainly defense firms that have secured government contracts, particularly suppliers from Turkey, China, and Western countries. TechCrunch previously mentioned that many African countries still depend on Western, Russian, or Chinese security intelligence and defense capabilities, often collaborating with multiple international contractors. This model results in a fragmented defense supply chain that is more susceptible to external disruptions. Company Claims Contract Amounts Could Reach $100 Million This Year Terra's goal is to become a key supplier of military equipment and critical defense infrastructure to relevant countries, thereby enhancing local supply capabilities. The company stated that it expects to secure $100 million in contracts this year, including at least one federal contract, and aims to achieve tens of millions in revenue by the end of the year. Earlier this year, Terra successfully completed two rounds of financing, raising $11.75 million and $22 million, respectively. With this new financing, the total amount for the seed round has further increased. 8VC has also previously invested in U.S. defense technology companies Anduril and Shield AI, indicating that capital continues to bet on the defense technology sector. Anduril-tokenized-stock-prestocks price. 12.96% Past 30 days Anduril-tokenized-stock-prestocks is currently trading at 134.88 USD. Over the past 30 days, Anduril-tokenized-stock-prestocks has risen 12.96%. Learn more about Anduril-tokenized-stock-prestocks. This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.

Shield AI flies Taiwan drone swarm without human pilots. The Frisco-built V-BAT maker put its Hivemind software in charge of three National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology Mighty Hornet III unmanned aerial vehicles for a field demonstration. In June, the U.S. Air Force awarded a production contract to Shield AI to implement its Hivemind mission autonomy software for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, pictured here. In August, the company announced a successful field demonstration of the software for a coordinated autonomous search mission with Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. [Image: Shield AI] Defense tech firm Shield AI said it completed a live drone swarm exercise in Taiwan in which three Taiwanese-built drones flew a coordinated search mission under its Hivemind AI software instead of human pilots. It's the latest milestone for the company, which has a manufacturing facility in Frisco and is fast becoming one of the top defense technology companies in the U.S. "You can build 10 million drones, but you can't train 10 million drone pilots. Autonomy is the critical enabling technology to effectively leverage drones on the battlefield," Brandon Tseng, Shield AI's president and co-founder, said in a statement. "Hivemind's ability to enable autonomous teaming is why autonomy is becoming one of the most important force multipliers in modern defense." Inside the hive The Hivemind software is designed to pilot drones and other autonomous vehicles and robots. Shield AI's manufacturing facility in Frisco - known as the "Batcave" - is where the company builds and tests its systems, including the V-BAT drone, and develops its AI software. Founded in 2015, Shield AI is based in San Diego and has offices and facilities across the world. The company has seen its profile rise as the use of artificial intelligence in military operations has expanded. It was one of several defense tech companies to meet with the Department of Defense in June, the Washington Post reported, as the U.S. conflict with Iran depleted U.S. weapons stocks. Shield AI didn't reply to requests for comment from Dallas Innovates. Business growth The demonstration earlier this month led to an expansion of the contract Shield AI signed in February with Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, known as NCSIST, to integrate Hivemind into the institute's unmanned systems, the company said in a press release. NCSIST engineers built the AI pilots themselves and put them on three of the institute's Mighty Hornet III drones in less than three months, working alongside Shield AI engineers embedded at the institute. In March, Shield AI raised $1.5 billion from investors at a $12.7 billion valuation. At the time of the deal, the company was seeking to expand its Hivemind software and acquire flight simulation company Aechelon Technology. Shield AI has worked with Ukraine's armed forces to train on its autonomous drones, and the company has contracts with Japan, the Netherlands, and the European Border and Coast Guard for its V-BAT drone, which is used for intelligence gathering. And in May, the company signed an agreement with the Pentagon to use Hivemind on low-cost, uncrewed combat attack systems, known as LUCAS drones. The company has faced scrutiny over its technology. In June, Reuters reported a V-BAT drone had injured a Romanian Navy official during a test exercise off the Texas coast in May, reportedly the second incident involving serious injury during a V-BAT test. Shield AI told Reuters that "operational mishaps are common" for such drones, defended its safety record and attributed the May incident to a violation of safety procedures. Demand has continued to build, and the company's drones continue to impress U.S. officials. During a visit to Armenia in February, Vice President JD Vance announced the sale of $11 million in U.S. surveillance and drone technology, including V-BAT drones. It was the first major U.S. military technology sale to the country. "We're excited about this, Vance said. "It's going to do great things for you guys." Track Dallas-Fort Worth's business and innovation landscape with its curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday. One quick signup, and you're done. Share via:

Innovation X Advisors participates in Shield AI's $1.5 billion Series G financing. NEW YORK-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Today, late-stage venture capital firm Innovation X Advisors LLC ("Innovation X") announced its participation in the $1.5 billion Series G financing of Shield AI, Inc. ("Shield AI"), a San Diego-based defense technology company specializing in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and next-generation aircraft. The financing values Shield AI at $12.7 billion post-money. Innovation X's participation reflects its investment thesis in companies operating at the intersection of AI and national security. Shield AI's Series G financing included participation from Innovation X and other existing investors. The transaction also included $500 million of fixed-return preferred equity financing and an additional $250 million delayed draw facility, providing substantial capital to support the company's continued growth, accelerate the development of its autonomous systems, and advance its long-term strategic initiatives. Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its flagship products include Hivemind autonomy software, the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. According to Shield AI, Hivemind has piloted 26 classes of vehicles - including F-16s, jet-powered UAVs, helicopters, drone boats, and ground vehicles - and was selected by the U.S. Air Force as a mission autonomy provider for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. A portion of the Series G proceeds will help fund Shield AI's planned acquisition of Aechelon Technology, a defense software company in high-fidelity simulation and physics-based sensors whose technology supports national security platforms including the Pentagon's Joint Simulation Environment. About Innovation X's Investment Approach As the leader of Innovation X, a multi-billion-dollar late-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in privately held companies with innovative or disruptive technologies, Roger Monteforte's continued backing of Shield AI reflects the firm's disciplined focus on identifying and scaling next-generation organizations before they reach the public markets. In addition to his nearly three decades of financial experience, Roger has a comprehensive understanding of how emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, aerospace, and national security can shape our world. Company and firm statements "This capital lets us keep building at scale," said Brandon Tseng, president and co-founder of Shield AI. "V-BAT and Hivemind continue to deliver increased operational effects for our customers, and X-BAT, the world's first AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet, is next. Bringing on Aechelon adds the simulation technology that will train and test all military systems of consequence before they reach the battlefield. We appreciate Innovation X's continued conviction in this work." "Shield AI is exactly the kind of company that Innovation X is built to back - a business solving an important problem in defense technology," said Roger Monteforte, Chairman and CEO of Innovation X and founder and CEO of the Forte Capital Group. "We believe the future of defense will be shaped in software, trained in simulation, and proven in the field. Our continued participation reflects the deep conviction we and our clients have in this team and this technology." About Innovation X Founded in 2016 by Roger Monteforte, Innovation X is a late-stage venture capital firm that invests in privately held companies with innovative or disruptive technologies across defense technology, fintech, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and the space economy. Innovation X Advisors has over $4.5B under management across multiple funds (as reported on Form ADV as of 12/31/2025). Important Disclosures Relationship and conflict disclosure. Forte Capital Group is a division of Ceros Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Innovation X Advisors LLC is a commonly owned affiliate of Ceros Financial Services, Inc. Roger Monteforte serves as Chairman and CEO of Innovation X Advisors LLC and as founder and CEO of Forte Capital Group. Innovation X currently holds an investment position in Shield AI, Inc. and has raised capital in connection with that investment and therefore has a financial interest in Shield AI. Risk. Investments in late-stage private companies involve substantial risk, including the potential loss of the entire amount invested. Such investments are illiquid, may not have a public market, have long and uncertain time horizons, and their values can decline. There is no guarantee that any company referenced will achieve its objectives or that any investment will be profitable. Past performance. Any reference to prior investments reflects selected examples that do not represent all investments made by Innovation X. Not all investments were or will be profitable. Past performance does not guarantee future results. No offer. This communication is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or investment advisory service. Valuation figures reflect the terms of the referenced financing and are not a measure of Innovation X's investment performance or realized returns.