BFA Global and FSD Africa have announced $273,000 in follow-on funding and venture-building support for four early-stage alumni of the Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) programme.
The funding targets small and growing businesses (SGBs) that previously took part in the TECA initiative, which is designed to develop climate solutions from concept to investment stage while strengthening resilience and protecting vulnerable communities across East Africa. The selected ventures have already shown early traction in clean energy, cold storage, carbon market access and sustainable food systems.
The latest support package combines operational capital with technical assistance, including guidance on business operations, model refinement and investment readiness. The aim is to help the ventures scale their impact, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors where they are already improving livelihoods.
The four ventures include Africa Renewables Katalyst (ARK), which links renewable energy developers in East Africa to global renewable energy certificate markets through data systems, verification services and market access tools.
Plas-tech Energies is tackling plastic waste by converting it into clean cooking gas distributed via refillable cylinders, offering a safer and more affordable alternative to charcoal and kerosene.
Samaking runs a solar-powered cold chain infrastructure alongside a decentralised fish distribution network, helping to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise markets for small traders, particularly women.
Sunwave provides solar-powered ice production and cold storage solutions aimed at cutting post-harvest losses while boosting incomes for small-scale fishers and traders.
Such follow-on funding is widely seen as critical for early-stage ventures that have demonstrated viability but require additional capital to achieve commercial scale. This phase is often marked by limited access to finance.
According to a report by Sightline Climate, early-stage deal activity declined by around 20 per cent in 2025 to a five-year low, as investors concentrated funding into fewer companies. The trend has made it increasingly difficult for emerging ventures, particularly in developing markets, to secure further investment.
“Early-stage climate ventures face a critical funding cliff just as they are ready to grow,” said Tyler Ferdinand, Director of the TECA programme at BFA Global. “Our follow-on support gives them the capital, time, tools, and evidence base they need to build credible, investable businesses that improve resilience in vulnerable communities.”
Mary Kashangaki, Early-Stage Finance Manager at FSD Africa, added: “At FSD Africa, we have for years supported novel financing structures for small and growing businesses, especially those building resilience against climate change in Africa. We are proud to partner with BFA Global to provide additional support to these deserving businesses doing such important work. Access to capital, especially for this category of businesses, remains challenging, yet they are the majority and provide most employment on the continent. As an organisation that works to make finance work for Africa, enhancing flows to small and growing businesses and tackling climate change remain key priorities for us.”
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