Cascador has opened applications for its 2026 ScaleUp Program, a 12-week initiative aimed at supporting 12 growth-stage founders in Nigeria's technology and real economy sectors. The programme is designed to help ventures that have moved beyond early-stage accelerators but are not yet ready for institutional funding, offering tailored support in skills, networks, and access to capital. Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador, described entrepreneurs as "engines of change" and said the programme targets founders who act as "great multipliers" in building transformative businesses. Amanda Etuk, Programme Director, highlighted that many Nigerian startups face a funding gap where traditional venture capital isn't always suitable. To address this, Cascador promotes hybrid financing models, including non-dilutive options. In 2025, it partnered with Sterling Bank to offer local currency debt at below-market rates, with support for loan applications, bank guarantees, and collateral. Since 2019, Cascador has backed over 70 ventures that collectively raised over $100 million. In 2025 alone, these companies created 67,000 jobs and served 1.7 million customers. Alumni include fintech firm Sycamore and Drive45, a mobility startup that secured ₦2 billion in financing last year. Oluwaseyi Adefemi, Co-Founder and CEO of Drive45, credited the programme with sharpening his strategic thinking and operational discipline. Before the programme begins, companies undergo assessments in legal, revenue, technology, operations, and product development to enable customised support.
When Cascador's CEO calls founders "great multipliers," she's not just praising ambition — she's acknowledging that Nigeria's next wave of economic growth may come from ventures that don't fit the Silicon Valley mould. By backing non-dilutive financing and real economy businesses, Cascador is quietly challenging the assumption that only high-growth, venture-backable startups can drive transformation. This model could reshape how Nigerian founders think about scaling — not through explosive funding rounds, but through sustainable, revenue-led growth. For companies like Drive45, that approach isn't theoretical; it's already unlocking billions in local capital without giving up control.
