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  • Cascador Unveils 2025 Cohort: Eleven Visionary Leaders Driving Africa’s Transformation

    Cascador Unveils 2025 Cohort: Eleven Visionary Leaders Driving Africa’s Transformation

    Diverse group of innovators reflects Nigeria’s entrepreneurial future—with 40% women and strong Northern representation

    Cascador, Africa’s premier accelerator for mission-driven entrepreneurs, proudly announces its 2025 Cohort. The eleven founders selected this year are addressing some of Nigeria’s most urgent challenges—from livestock management and mental health to clean energy and digital inclusion—leveraging tools like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and solar power.

    Selected from more than four hundred qualified applicants nationwide, these changemakers exemplify the spirit of Nigerian innovation: resilient, bold, and deeply committed to impact. With 40% female representation and strong inclusion from northern regions of the country, the 2025 cohort reflects the diversity and promise of Africa’s next generation of business leaders.

    Meet the Trailblazers of Cascador 2025

    • Deina Mayaki (Agriarche) – Empowering farmers, aggregators, and food processors with integrated access to markets, finance, data, and climate-smart solutions.

    • Yinka Iyinolakan (CDIAL) – Empowering last-mile customer engagement through multilingual voice AI.

    • Uzoamaka Igweike (Loom Craft Chocolate) – Elevating Nigerian cocoa into premium chocolate while creating jobs and retaining local economic value.

    • Ayoola Dominic (Koolboks) – Bringing solar-powered refrigeration to off-grid and underserved communities.

    • Okey Esse (Powerstove Energy) – Providing clean cookstoves that also generate electricity for household use.

    • Aisha Rilwan (Grabb247) – Digitizing Nigeria’s livestock trade with an AI-powered marketplace for transparent, fair and healthy animal sourcing.

    • Daniel Komolafe (First Electric) – Making clean energy accessible and affordable by deploying mesh grid solutions in rural communities across Nigeria.

    • Taslim Salaudeen (Milsat Technologies) – Maps and distributes Africa’s hard-to-find datasets—empowering smarter decisions, equitable access, and transformative growth.

    • Dare Odumade (Chekkit Technologies) – Web3 and AI-powered B2B2C supply chain traceability infrastructure

    • Aisha Bubah (The Sunshine Series) – Promoting mental healthcare through culturally-rooted and community-driven care

    • Femi-Oyewole Toluwalope (Fortics) – Transforming healthcare access and outcomes, Fortics Lifecare Group delivers comprehensive, tech-backed solutions through data, insurance, and robust financial systems.

    “Cascador is a dream come true,” shared Aisha Bubah, Founder of The Sunshine Series. “I’m eager for deep, honest conversations that push me to grow as a leader and to learn from other entrepreneurs who are also transforming lives through purpose-driven work.”

    “Through Cascador, I hope to become a stronger leader, someone who can scale a thriving company and communicate a clear, compelling vision for impact,” said Uzoamaka Igweike, Founder of Loom Craft Chocolate.

    “I’m hoping to grow as a leader by sharpening my people and policy skills, while also tapping into the network to open new markets and learn directly from other experienced African founders,” shared Dare Odumade, Founder and CEO of Chekkit.

    A Program Designed for Transformational Impact

    Cascador’s intensive accelerator provides a unique blend of leadership development, operational strategy and investor readiness training. Fellows benefit from:

    • Education and leadership development;
    • One-on-one mentorship with seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders;
    • Cross-sector peer learning and collaboration;
    • Strategic networking with investors, partners, and industry experts; and
    • Eligibility for future Catalytic Fund capital funding as a program alumnus.

    “At Cascador, we believe the future of Africa will be shaped by bold entrepreneurs with the vision to solve real problems and the grit to scale their solutions,” said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador. “This year’s cohort reflects that promise—diverse in geography, sector and approach, but united by purpose and the courage to lead.”

    Advancing a New Generation of Leaders

    Since launching in 2019, Cascador has supported over 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $60 million and created thousands of jobs across Africa. The program’s influence continues to grow, nurturing not only high-impact ventures but the visionary leaders behind them.

    “This cohort isn’t just tackling problems—they’re building the systems, solutions, and companies that will define Nigeria’s future,” said Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador. “They’re leading with vision and scaling impact in ways that uplift society.”

    Cascador is a Nigeria-based not-for-profit organization and entrepreneurial development program focused on developing mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs who are scaling mission-driven companies. By combining world-class education, one-on-one mentoring, and personalized support, Cascador empowers entrepreneurs to make a positive impact through job creation, innovation, and development of opportunities for underprivileged and marginalized communities. Learn more about the 2025 cohort, past alumni, and how to support Cascador’s mission at Cascador.org.



  • Nine startups get $3m debt facilities

    Nine startups get $3m debt facilities

    Cascador, the accelerator for mid-stage entrepreneurs, has awarded over $3 million debt facilities to nine Nigeria startups.

    The funds are to support their operations and reposition them for global competitiveness.

    The awardees, who received the funding at a pitch day event  in Lagos,  include Crop2Cash, Oriki, N.E.A.T, Adunmi Organics, Sycamore, DoChase, Drive45, 24SEVEN and ExCare.

    Chief Executive Officer, Trish Thomas, said beneficiaries are graduates of the Cascador programme, which has trained indigenous firms since 2019.

    She said the fund will help beneficiaries reach a larger customer base.

    “Our 2025 cohort will be our seventh cohort. The funding is only available to alumni of our Cascador programme. There are about 60 companies that have gone through the programme. The nine finalists have been awarded over $3 million debt and equity capital,” she said.

    She added, “It’s the first year that we’re doing Pitch Day, and it’s the first year that we’re awarding this capital as an organisation.”

    Read Also: Clarifying Ekiti’s debt profile

    Thomas noted that the funds are tailored to the needs of each business. “We don’t follow a traditional venture capital model. We have manufacturing companies, agriculture, farmers, in different sectors. Some of them are looking at scaling up, sustainable growth and what they need is working capital, not equity,” she said.

    She said about 74 per cent of applicants requested debt, prompting Cascador to work with Sterling Bank to structure favourable loan terms.

    “We’re partnering Sterling Bank. We are creating a system where we’re increasing access. So, we’re taking on the collateral requirements, pulling down the interest rate and just take down those barriers to lending,” she added.

    Loans will come with interest rates of about 20 per cent, with features as moratoriums and tenures of up to five years.

    Founder, Dave Delucia, said besides access to funds, beneficiaries will go through mentorship and capacity building to help them make the best of more capital

    He said the judges made great contributions in ensuring each beneficiary got what he or she requires to take the business to the next stage.

    He said the winners have more opportunity to present their ventures to investors who will provide additional value to their growth plans.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said the partnership is building businesses that can meet commercial standards of bankability.

    “Between that energy and becoming a success, there are ravines, valleys and obstacles. And capital comes in to remove obstacles,” he said.

    Other partners include Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, which gave Crop2Cash additional $10,000 grant as most impactful/sustainable business. Development Bank of Nigeria, another partner, gave $5,000 to N.E.A.T, while Joycee Awosika of Oriki  got $10,000 for the Best Pitch.

  • Cascador, Sterling Bank launch $2M fund to redefine SME lending

    Cascador, Sterling Bank launch $2M fund to redefine SME lending

    Cascador, Nigeria’s premier accelerator for mid-stage entrepreneurs, has announced partnership with Sterling Bank to launch a bold new debt funding model to unlock growth for Africa’s most promising ventures.

    Backed by a $2 million Catalytic Fund, the partnership introduces flexible, founder-friendly financing for Cascador alumni; pairing low-interest debt with business mentorship, tailored repayment terms, and dramatically reduced collateral requirements.

    “This is a breakthrough moment for Cascador and for the entrepreneurs we serve,” said Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador.

    “Through our partnership with Sterling Bank, we’re deploying capital in a way that’s truly catalytic -pairing mentorship and education with access to capital that’s structured around the real-life cash flows of growing
    businesses.”

    Sterling Bank will serve as fund custodian and structuring partner, offering entrepreneurs access to a diverse portfolio of instruments, from equipment loans to revenue-based financing, designed for mid-stage SMEs in sectors critical to Nigeria’s future: healthcare, logistics, education, manufacturing, agri-business, and financial inclusion.

    “We’re proud to support purpose-driven entrepreneurs with capital that meets them where they are -flexible, affordable, and designed around the realities of building a business in Nigeria,” said Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank.

    “This isn’t just about funding, it’s about creating a new kind of financial support system that prioritises impact over formality and progress over paperwork.

    “We hope the fund presents a new model for capital deployment -one that other institutions and private investors across the continent can adopt to unlock the potential of Africa’s entrepreneurs.”

    Read Also: Lack of record keeping stalls SMEDAN, Sterling Bank funds disbursement

    Unlike conventional lending, the Sterling-Cascador model emphasises trust, traction and long-term viability.

    Beneficiaries will enjoy custom repayment plans and reduced risk lending, supported by a first-loss guarantee from Cascador and technical
    assistance from leading business advisors.

    Applications for the Catalytic Fund opened February 14 and will culminate in a high profile, invitation-only Pitch Day on May 14, 2025 where finalists will present to an elite investment committee composed of business leaders, faculty advisors, and investment professionals. Cascador will allocate both debt and equity funding based on impact, business viability, and long-term growth potential.

    Additional partners include the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), who will sponsor innovation awards for top performing ventures at the Pitch Day event.

    Since 2019, Cascador has supported over 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $55M and created thousands of jobs across the continent. The launch of the
    Catalytic Fund, and the collaboration with Sterling Bank, represents a powerful new chapter in Cascador’s mission to strengthen Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

    Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for admission to Cascador’s 2025 accelerator program and, ultimately, eligibility for the Catalytic Fund.

  • Cascador and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Announce Strategic Partnership to Empower Nigerian Entrepreneurs

    Cascador and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Announce Strategic Partnership to Empower Nigerian Entrepreneurs

    Cascador, the premier accelerator for mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (‘NSIA’ or ‘The Authority’) – the premier investment institution of the Federation with a three-fold mandate to create a savings base for future generations of Nigerians, catalyse positive socio-economic outcomes through strategic domestic infrastructure investments and provide fiscal support in times of economic distress – have formed a strategic partnership to drive innovation and support homegrown solutions with the potential for transformative impact. This collaboration represents a major step in both organizations’ shared mission to accelerate sustainable economic growth, expand opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and reposition them for global relevance.

    “By leveraging NSIA’s institutional expertise and Cascador’s track record of developing high-impact entrepreneurs, this partnership unlocks new opportunities for Nigerian business leaders tackling pressing societal challenges,” said Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador.

    “NSIA remains committed to expanding economic opportunities and advancing innovation as a key component of National development. We believe that supporting high-potential entrepreneurs is pivotal to driving sustainable economic growth. Correspondingly, our collaboration with Cascador aligns with our overall strategy to meaningfully create value in Nigeria, said Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director of NSIA.

    Enhanced Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

    The partnership comes as Cascador launches its $2 million annual Catalytic Fund designed to provide growth capital to alumni of its program, and follows NSIA’s launch of the third edition of the NSIA Prize for Innovation programme tailored to support early stage businesses within Agriculture, Healthcare and Education. NSIA’s involvement will further enhance the support available to promising entrepreneurs.

    Applications for Cascador’s Catalytic Fund were open only to Cascador alumni who had completed the program. Cascador has produced six cohorts of mission driven entrepreneurs since 2019. The program will culminate in a Pitch Day Event on May 14, 2025, where finalists will present their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges and investors, including representatives from NSIA.

    A $10,000 NSIA Prize for Innovation will be awarded at the event to the Cascador alumni whose business proposition best exemplifies the spirit of creativity and innovation that NSIA is fostering across Nigeria through the NSIA Prize for Innovation – an initiative focused on encouraging youth entrepreneurship through funding, mentorship, peer to peer knowledge exchange and high impact networking.

    Cascador Supports the Third Edition of the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 3.0).

    The NSIA Prize for Innovation is a multi-year initiative dedicated to supporting early-stage businesses with the potential for transformative impact. The competition, which is currently open for applications until 5th April, 2025, aims to identify, build, and finance early-stage innovative solutions that have the potential to catalyze economic growth, enhance the nation’s productive capacity, and create jobs.

    NPI 3.0 offers Nigerian innovators the opportunity to win:

    • A combined prize value of $220,000
    • Dedicated Cascador Prize for Impact valued at $45,000 with winners selected by Cascador representatives at the award ceremony for NPI finalists
    • Five-week, all-expenses-paid training program in Silicon Valley, USA
    • Enhanced visibility for portfolio companies through joint promotional activities
    • Access to NSIA’s extensive network of partners and resources

    This year’s focus sectors include Healthcare, Education, and Agriculture—areas critical to Nigeria’s development and aligned with both organizations’ impact objectives.

    Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador, discussed the financial incentives for entrepreneurs, saying, “Both Cascador and NSIA believe in the power of innovation to create an impact in Nigeria. We are sponsoring prizes in each competition to motivate finalists for the NSIA Prize for Innovation and the Cascador Catalytic Fund to focus on leveraging imagination and drive to solve tough challenges. Our intent is that these prizes accelerate efforts in the business community to make a positive impact on the world.”

    Cascador 2025 program applications open April 1st. To learn more about Cascador and to apply, visit www.cascador.org.

    Submissions for the NSIA Prize for Innovation close on April 5th. For more information and to apply, visit http://nsia-ip.com/.

    About Cascador

    Cascador is an annual, intensive program focused on developing mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs who are scaling mission-driven companies. Through a unique blend of education, mentoring, and personalized support, Cascador empowers entrepreneurs to make a positive impact through job creation, innovation, and development of opportunities for underprivileged and marginalized communities. Since its launch in 2019, Cascador alumni have collectively raised over $55 million USD in capital and are actively transforming their communities for the better. Learn more at cascador.org.

    About NSIA

    The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority is an investment institution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, established by the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Act (2011), to manage and invest in a diversified portfolio of medium and long-term funds. Its mission is to play a leading role in driving sustained economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians through building a savings base for the Nigerian people, enhancing the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, and providing stabilization support in times of economic stress.

    NSIA operates three distinct funds, the Stabilization Fund, the Future Generations Fund, and the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund. For more information, please visit www.nsia.com.ng

  • Cascador launches $2m fund for Nigerian entrepreneurs

    Cascador launches $2m fund for Nigerian entrepreneurs

    Cascador, Nigeria’s accelerator for mid-stage entrepreneurs, has announced the launch of its Catalytic Fund, a $2 million annual initiative providing tailored financial support to Cascador alumni companies.

    According to a statement, the initiative will provide debt and equity funding to mission-driven alumni companies to accelerate growth and impact. Since its founding in 2019, Cascador has supported over 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $55 million in capital.

    “The Catalytic Fund addresses the persistent capital gap many Nigerian entrepreneurs face despite having viable, impactful businesses,” said Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador. “We’re deploying capital where it can truly be catalytic — powering growth, improving access to alternative funding sources, and enabling sustainable scale.”

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    Applications opened February 14, with finalists scheduled to present at a Pitch Day event on May 14, 2025. The Cascador pitches will be evaluated by an elite investment committee based on impact, business viability, and financial assessment, focusing on entrepreneurs creating jobs, delivering social impact, and unlocking opportunities for underserved communities.

    Cascador has established partnerships with leading Nigerian financial institutions. Sterling Bank will provide blended financing solutions through a custom lending programme tailored to alumni needs. The partnership aims to provide affordable and sustainable loans to Cascador alumni through flexible repayment structures around business cash flows.

  • Firm gets new programme director

    Firm gets new programme director

    Cascador, the preeminent accelerator programme  for mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, has announced the appointment of Amanda Etuk as its new programme director.

    According to a statement by the company, Etuk, a former Cascador participant and co-founder of Messenger, brings firsthand experience with the transformative impact to her new role. The appointment marks a significant milestone in the firm’s  mission to develop transformational leaders in Nigeria.

    “I’ve always wanted to help people – it’s one of my values. Being able to support entrepreneurs who face the same challenges I did, while working with an organisation deeply committed to their success, feels like a match made in heaven.

    We’re not just providing funding; we’re building a sustainable ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive and pay it forward,” she said.

    Founder of Cascador, Dave DeLucia emphasised the significance of having a former participant join the leadership team.

    Read Also: Nigeria receives $52bn as Afreximbank’s largest beneficiary

    “Amanda’s transition from participant to programme director perfectly illustrates our mission of developing transformational leaders. Her insights will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our programme to meet the needs of Nigerian entrepreneurs,” he said.

    Etuk will focus on enhancing programme design, strengthening alumni support, and building a more robust entrepreneurial community.

     Co-director at Cascador,Trish Thomas said the new appointee’s experience as an entrepreneur, combined with her passion for supporting others and deep understanding of the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem, makes her qualified to help shape the future of the programme.

    Cascador’s co-director and head of strategy at Lagos Business School,Chidi Okoro  added that having refined their approach to supporting Nigerian startups over the past six years, bringing Etuk  onto the team marks an exciting new chapter.

  • ‘Cascador to shape Africa’s economic future’

    ‘Cascador to shape Africa’s economic future’

    A programme for mid-stage entrepreneurs in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, Cascador, has restated its mission of transforming the economic future of the continent.

    Its Founder, Dave DeLucia, in an overview of Cascador 2024 Programme, said the vision of the initiative extends beyond producing individual successes but building a network of leaders that would shape the continent.

    “Our vision extends beyond individual success stories or high-growth companies. We’re building a network of transformational leaders who will shape Africa’s economic future. The 2024 cohort exemplifies this vision in action,” DeLucia said, adding that the Cascador programme stands at the forefront of developing transformational entrepreneurs across Africa.

    For this year, Co-Director of Cascador, Trish Thomas, said there will be an expansion in engagement in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

    “As we look to 2025, we’re excited to build on the success of this year’s program. The achievements of our 2024 cohort have set a new standard for what’s possible when we invest in African entrepreneurship. Expect to see a strong expansion of Cascador’s engagement with and investment in the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem in the near future,” Thomas said, adding that applications for the 2025 cohort will open in April 2025. Interested entrepreneurs can learn more and register their interest at www.cascador.org.

    Looking back, DeLucia said in a year marked by unprecedented challenges and opportunities in Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, the Cascador 2024 Program has emerged as a beacon of innovation and impact. This transformative initiative brought together nine remarkable mid-stage entrepreneurs whose ventures are reshaping industries and uplifting communities across Nigeria.

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    “What sets this cohort apart is their unwavering commitment to business excellence and making a positive impact. These entrepreneurs aren’t just building companies; they’re creating solutions that address critical challenges across Africa,” DeLucia.

    From revolutionizing educational access to democratizing financial services for rural communities, the 2024 cohort exemplified the resilient and innovative spirit that defines African entrepreneurship. Through an intensive 10 week program combining in-person education at Lagos Business School, virtual learning sessions, and one-on-one mentorship and advisory support, these visionary leaders have emerged equipped with enhanced capabilities to scale their impact.

    The program’s culmination featured a dynamic pitch competition that showcased the cohort’s remarkable growth and vision. The distinguished panel of judges, including Ada Osakwe and Daniel Adeoye, recognized outstanding achievements across multiple categories:

    Pitch competition winner, Godwin Benson, smiled home with $20,000 for his innovation called Tuteria for revolutionizing access to quality education through an innovative tutoring platform and curated tutor-student matching that particularly serves children with special learning needs.

    “Tuteria’s approach to educational access isn’t just innovative—it’s transformational. Godwin and his team have created a scalable solution that addresses one of our continent’s most pressing challenges: quality education for all,” Osakwe, the lead judge, said.

    Recalling his experience, Benson said: “Through Cascador, we gained clarity on how to double our revenues in the short term and optimize our team dynamics. The program helped us understand our core strengths, align team roles more effectively, and identify clear growth opportunities. We now have a strong roadmap for scaling our impact.”

    Another is Impact Award of $20,000 which went to Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze’s Accountinghub. It was an award for transforming digital literacy across Africa through Data-Entry Academy, empowering adults with crucial workplace skills.

    “The most valuable part of Cascador for me, was improving the ability to tell my story. “Cascador makes you pitch, rewrite your story, and pitch again. It just helps you better appreciate what you are doing and the impact you’re making in society,” Ifeanyi-Eze said.

    For the Exemplary Cascador Award of $10,000, it went to Oluwaseyi Adefemi, Drive45 Mobility. It was also for outstanding leadership, collaboration, and innovative approach to democratizing vehicle ownership through subscription services.

    “Cascador forced me to answer a simple but critical question: who is my primary customer. As soon as I arrived at that epiphany, it changed everything. All of the energy I was expending chasing other things could now be conserved and channeled in the direction of where my customers really are,” Adefemi said.

    Faculty Advisor, serial entrepreneur, and Founder of Future Africa, Iyin Aboyeji, explained the interesting aspect of the cohort.

    “What impressed me most about this cohort was their ability to build businesses to solve big problems that impact real people. No valuation games. No building for Silicon Valley. Just true impact; every entrepreneur displayed servant leadership in building their solutions – each with their own story of strong resolve and sacrifice. All eager to learn. This is my 5th year and every year it gets better,” Aboyeji said.

    The 2024 cohort represented a diverse cross-section of industries vital to Africa’s economic development including education & workforce development as observed in Benson’s Tuteria democratizing access to quality education through personalized tutoring; Eyitayo Ogunmola’s Utiva: Bridging the tech skills gap through virtual learning and talent placement; and Ifeanyi-Eze, Accountinghub: Empowering professionals with digital workplace skills.

    In the area of logistics and mobility saw Olawaseun Alley’s Fez Delivery: Optimizing last-mile delivery services for businesses and individuals; and Adefemi’s Drive45 Mobility: Innovating vehicle access through subscription services.

    For financial inclusion and rural development, Abiola Jimoh’s XchangeBox: Bridging the rural-urban financial divide by connecting traders and farmers with tailored banking solutions; and Amanda Etuk’s Messenger: Revolutionizing vehicle financing and providing vital working capital to logistics operators.

    Healthcare and essential services featured Christine Omowunmi Emmanuel-Ogah’s ExC Pharmacy with focus on expanding access to quality healthcare through community-focused pharmacy services; and Ejiro Udu’s Premium Power Solutions with mission of addressing energy security through innovative power solutions.

    Cascador Co-Director and Head of Strategy at Lagos Business School, Chidi Okoro, emphasized the program’s evolution.

    “Over the past six years, we’ve refined our approach to supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs. This cohort has particularly excelled in leveraging our resources to strengthen their business models, improve their market understanding, and expand their impact,” Okoro said.

    The intensive program structure proved particularly effective, as noted by Faculty Advisor Dee Abudu, Founder & CEO at Capricorn Digital (now Onafriq). “The combination of in-person education, advisory services, virtual learning, mentorship, and ongoing support has created a comprehensive development experience that prepares these entrepreneurs for scale,” Abudu said.

    The Cascador program stands at the forefront of developing transformational entrepreneurs across Africa. Through a comprehensive 10 week program followed by 6 months of mentoring, Cascador provides mid-stage entrepreneurs with intensive resources, guidance and support to scale their ventures and amplify their social impact. Since its launch in 2019, Cascador has supported 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $55million and created tens of thousands of jobs across Africa.

  • Cascador deepens Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem

    Cascador deepens Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem

    Cascador, a transformative programme for mid-stage entrepreneurs in Africa founded in 2019, has stated that the firm’s ultimate goal is impact.

    This was stated during the Alumni Meeting of the company in Ikeja recently.

    According to the Founder of Cascador, Dave DeLucia; “Impact can come in a variety of forms: social impact, job creation, innovative solutions to problems, or providing opportunities for women, the poor or disadvantaged communities to advance.

    “Rather than offering grants or working through NGOs, we have elected to empower the entrepreneurs who are solving problems and making an impact through for-profit ventures.”

    He said, “By developing leadership skills, financial acumen, connections, sources of capital and other resources to help them scale, we turbo charge their companies and make their impact possible. We also hope to inspire a spirit of humility, philanthropy and community that drives them to become leaders who give back to their country and community for years to come,” DeLucia added.

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    Speaking on the programme curriculum in 2024 and how it has bettered the entrepreneurs, Director of Cascador, Trish Thomas stated “Our cohort members today have a much more expansive learning experience than our early Cascadors. A practical example of the improvement to our curriculum and timeline is that Founders have time to take their education back to their team and apply it in their real-world operating environment.”

    Last year, to demonstrate its commitment to the Nigerian market, Cascador awarded personal development stipends and prizes to cohort members. Explaining   Ms. Thomas said “We were very excited to have the funding to provide USD 5,000 stipends to each member of the 2024 Cascador cohort. It’s very difficult to be an entrepreneur in Nigeria today. Lending standards are tough, inflation is high, FX is very unfavourable, and there is not a lot of outside capital flowing in.”