BFA Global TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) Program For Early-stage ventures in Nigeria ( Funding + Venture-building Support)

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Applications are open for BFA Global TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) Program. BFA Global, FSD Africa, ClimateWorks Foundation, and FCDO Nigeria have launched the TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) to back 12 early-stage ventures across Nigeria with funding, mentorship, and technical expertise. By supporting innovations like early warning tools, climate-smart finance, and emergency fintech, THAW aims to protect heat-vulnerable communities in Nigeria and strengthen resilience against rising temperatures.

The TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) has been launched in Nigeria to support early-stage ventures that prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme heat. Extreme heat is now one of Nigeria’s most urgent and growing climate challenges. The TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) responds to this reality by backing bold, locally led ventures that protect people and businesses from the impacts of rising heat. From early warning tools and climate-smart financial instruments to emergency fintech and ecosystem enablers, THAW empowers entrepreneurs to pioneer innovations that help communities operate more safely and efficiently as temperatures climb.

The startups we support are early-stage, often with promising prototypes but still refining their strategies and growth pathways. By combining seed capital, venture-building expertise, and access to networks, THAW helps these entrepreneurs transform ideas into scalable solutions capable of building resilience across Nigeria and beyond.

TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) Focus areas

These ventures will fall into three main solution areas:

Target Products and Services

Early Warning Systems (EWS): tools, platforms, or services that forecast or alert to reduce heat risks
Fintech & Insurance: financial products such as insurance, savings, or lending that protect against heat shocks
Enabling tech: digital, hardware, or low-tech products and services that improve resilience in health, worker safety, agriculture, fisheries, and logistics (ideally embedding financial services or early warnings)

They are seeking businesses that help communities, workers, or industries prepare for, respond to, or recover from extreme heat. This could mean:

Health – Clinics predicting heat-related patient surges or public health tools that alert families in advance.
Worker Safety – Gig platforms protecting delivery workers during heatwaves, or tools for construction crews to adjust work hours.
Agriculture & Fisheries – Agro-dealers using early warnings to time outreach, or logistics solutions that protect crops or cold chains from spoilage.

Benefits

Tailored learning
- Access to resources and workshops to build your skills and venture development
Community
- Have the opportunity to connect with global experts, funders, networks, and partners
Funding
- Eligibility for financial investment and follow-on support

Eligibility Criteria for TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW)

They seek early-stage ventures that:

Early-stage startups or SGB (small and growing businesses) focused on heat resilience
Have at least a conceptual prototype or pilot
Show early customer engagement
Have a team (or if a solo founder with a clear co-founder profile in mind) with strong commitment and community focus.
Focus Country: Nigeria