Cascador is a transformative program for mid-stage entrepreneurs in Africa who are scaling mission-driven companies.
The Cascador program is an intensive, in-depth examination of your leadership skills, business model, and value proposition by veteran faculty. The program includes six months of mentorship post-program to ensure our fellows can apply what they learn in the real world.
Cascador will award a professional development stipend of $5,000 USD to each participating entrepreneur accepted into the 2025 cohort.
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- All business models welcome – not just venture-backable models
- Impact entrepreneurs encouraged to apply
- Cascadors have raised over $55M USD in capital
- Alumni have powered 3x average year-over-year revenue growth
- 90% of alumni gave Cascador the highest possible satisfaction rating
- Alumni are eligible to apply for capital through our $2M Catalytic Fund
Qualified Cascador applicants have 2+ years in operations, ₦50M+ in annual revenue, and are based in Nigeria. Cohorts are limited to 10 entrepreneurs.
- Applications open April 1 and close June 1
- In-person kick-off: September 7-10 at the Radisson Blu, VI in Lagos (lodging & meals provided)
- Virtual education (weekly 2-hour video calls): September 15-October 31
- In-person intensive: November 2-7 at Lagos Business School (lodging & meals provided)
- 6 months of mentorship provided after the program
- Catalytic Fund applications open for alumni: February 2026
Our goal is that you leave the Cascador program as a STRONG, TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER with a strategic plan to scale, and the connections, resources, and capital required to execute your plan.
Our Team
AMANDA ETUK
Program Director
PATRICK AMAJAMA
Program Administrator
MENE BLESSING
CEO of Vetsark
Co-Founder Cascador
Our Partners
What can you expect in the Application Process?
Our application process is unique.
We are not only focused on the strength of your business model and your fundamentals, we are also interested in getting to know you as a person and assessing your leadership potential and willingness to receive input.
Step 1 is to complete the application form below that shares basic information about yourself, your company, and your growth stage. Semi-finalists will be asked to submit financial information and self-descriptive video. All finalists will be interviewed.
Personal development is the foundation of professional growth. Our application process includes self-discovery and an exploration of your personality and strengths. We also collect and analyze your business history, value proposition, financials and future plan prior to the program. During a one-on-one video call, our faculty will work with you to identify what support and resources you need to take your company to the next level.
This process not only helps us select the right cohort of entrepreneurs, but also prepares you to make the most of your Cascador experience!
What can you Expect during the Program?
PRE-PROGRAM
Several weeks prior to Cascador’s Welcome Weekend, we will orient you to the program and review your submitted documentation. During this time we engage in self-discovery, including an exploration of your personality type, strengths and weaknesses, and coaching on how to work best with people of other styles. We practice these interpersonal skills during Cascador with the faculty and your peers. Lastly, you will have a kick-off meeting with your personal mentor to map out how to get the most out of the program.
Kick-off
Our 3-day Kickoff is designed to establish trust, openness and community that will carry throughout the Cascador experience. Programming will help you increase self-awareness, improve leadership skills and build a high-performing team. We will also provide in-depth advisory support to sharpen your value proposition and business model.
VIRTUAL Education
Our 7 week virtual program involves weekly 2 hour work sessions to deliver education and prepare you to complete ‘homework’ in your company’s real-world environment. Session topics include:
- Customer Focus
- Brand Differentiation & Storytelling
- Scale & Business Resiliency
- Team Building
- Capital Structures & Fundraising
- Business Development
Power Week Intensive
Our power week intensive is hosted in person at Lagos Business School each November. You will have small group work sessions, role play, and 1:1 faculty meetings on topics relevant to your industry, business phase and areas of strength and weakness. We will engage in pitch training and practice, and Friday culminates with Pitch Day and the award of $50,000 USD in prizes. After LBS week concludes, each Cascador will receive a professional development stipend of $5,000 USD.
Post-Program
Each participant will have monthly mentor calls for six months to support the implementation of new business plans and leadership skills. Best of all, Cascador alumni are eligible to apply for capital from our annual $2M Catalytic Fund!
Powered by EEGF: Investing in Africa’s Entrepreneurs
Cascador is a non-profit that empowers mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs with education, mentorship, advisory support, and resources to scale their businesses. Funded by US-based Empowering Economic Growth Foundation (EEGF), Cascador supports mission-driven founders who are driving economic growth, opportunity, and innovation. EEGF is a private foundation dedicated to developing transformational entrepreneurs in Africa and other emerging markets.
Cascador Entrepreneurial & Leadership Initiative Ltd/Gte is a non-governmental organization registered in Nigeria (RC: 7897688)