The TECA Heat Action Wave coalition has pledged $1.1m to support 12 early-stage climate ventures.

In a statement, it was noted that the coalition launched in Nigeria to tackle the growing threat from extreme heat.

It stated, “TECA Heat Action Wave, a new initiative to address Nigeria’s escalating extreme heat crisis, has been launched by BFA Global, FSD Africa, ClimateWorks Foundation, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Nigeria. Together, the coalition has committed $1.1m to support 12 early-stage ventures developing innovative solutions to protect climate-vulnerable communities from the growing impacts of extreme and chronic heat.

“Extreme heat events are now at least ten times more likely in West Africa due to human-caused global warming. In Nigeria, millions of jobs and livelihoods are already at risk, with more than 60 per cent of the population regularly exposed to dangerous heatwaves. Urban settlements like Lagos, Kano, and Abuja now experience heat indices above 50°C during peak months.”

The Early-Stage Finance Director at FSD Africa, Juliet Munro, noted that the extreme heat represented the most overlooked consequence of climate change affecting Africa today.

“It’s not only a public health emergency but also a threat to livelihoods, productivity, and long-term economic resilience. Through this initiative, we’re making a strategic investment in African-led innovation, supporting scalable, context-specific solutions that deliver real impact where it’s needed most.”

The statement further revealed that THAW will support 12 early-stage ventures developing market-driven early warning tools, innovative financial instruments such as parametric heat insurance, emergency-centric finance tech, and ecosystem enablers and builders, tools and services that help individuals and small businesses operate more safely and efficiently in rising heat, preferably integrating early warning systems or fintech solutions.

Temi Akinrinade, Private Sector Development Advisor at FCDO Nigeria, said, “Selected entrepreneurs will receive seed capital, venture-building support, and expert-led sprints on user research, product design, business modelling, and fundraising. Each startup will be matched with an embedded venture builder who will join their team to accelerate execution and strategy. Entrepreneurs will also gain access to a suite of technical specialists, female-focused mentorship, and local consultants to support prototyping and market testing.

“Addressing the impacts of extreme heat requires bold, market-led innovation, and that’s exactly what this initiative delivers. By supporting local entrepreneurs to develop viable, scalable solutions, we’re strengthening the role of the private sector in driving climate resilience. FCDO is proud to back this partnership, which puts Nigerian-led innovation at the centre of solving one of the region’s most pressing climate adaptation challenges.”

“Extreme heat is silently eroding lives, productivity, and economic opportunity,” said Tyler Ferdinand, TECA Director at BFA Global.

“Through TECA, we’re not only funding ventures, we’re embedding the strategic support, networks, and capital they need to transform survival into resilience,” he added.

The Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation, Jessica Brown, noted that the world was racing against a closing window of time for investing in the ability of communities to withstand and recover from climate shocks.

“Adaptation is not only a response but also a strategy for economic security, market stability, and shared prosperity in a warming world,” he said.

The programme will run through mid-2026, culminating in demo days and investor events. High-performing ventures may qualify for reinvestment and tailored follow-on support through 2027.

The statement added, “Implemented by BFA Global in partnership with FSD Africa, TECA is a venture-building programme designed to spark exponential climate action by sourcing and accelerating bold, locally grounded solutions to emerging climate threats. This new heat-focused initiative reinforces TECA’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, gender-intentional design, and transformational funding, positioning Nigeria as a hub for scalable, investable climate innovations. Entrepreneurs are invited to apply to join the Heat Action Wave.”