BFA Global and FSD Africa have announced $273,000 in follow-on funding for four early-stage climate startups in East Africa, reinforcing efforts to scale practical solutions in clean energy, agriculture, and food systems.
The funding targets alumni of the Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) venture-building programme, which supports climate-focused startups from concept stage to investment readiness.
At a time when early-stage funding is tightening globally, this move signals continued support for climate innovation in emerging markets.
Four Startups, Four Climate Solutions
The selected startups are already gaining traction across key sectors:
- Africa Renewables Katalyst (ARK) is enabling renewable energy developers to access global certificate markets through verification systems and data-driven tools.
- Plas-tech Energies is converting plastic waste into clean cooking gas, offering an alternative to charcoal and kerosene through refillable cylinders.
- Samaking is building solar-powered cold chain infrastructure and decentralised fish distribution networks to reduce post-harvest losses.
- Sunwave is deploying solar-powered ice production and cold storage systems to support small-scale fishers and traders.
Together, these ventures address critical gaps across energy access, waste management, and food preservation in the region.
Bridging the Early-Stage Funding Gap
The funding comes at a critical moment for early-stage startups.
A recent report by Sightline Climate shows that early-stage deal activity dropped by around 20% in 2025, hitting a five-year low as investors increasingly focused on fewer, more mature companies.
This shift has left many startups especially in emerging markets, struggling to secure follow-on capital.
“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.
More Than Just Capital
Beyond funding, the initiative includes venture-building support, including operational guidance, business model refinement, and investment-readiness preparation.
According to Mary Kashangaki of FSD Africa, access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers for small and growing businesses in Africa — despite their role as key drivers of employment and economic activity.
