Cascador empowers mid-stage African entrepreneurs to scale their mission-driven companies, equipping them with proven business strategies, leadership skills, and exclusive access to our $2M Annual Catalytic Fund.

We focus on building strong leadership skills, clear value propositions, appropriate funding plans (equity, debt and/or grants), a strong network of local resources and a community of peers.

The program consists of:

 

  • In person and virtual experience;
  • Individual mentorship following the program to ensure our fellows can apply what they learn in the real world;
  • $5,000 USD stipend for personal development;
  • $50,000 USD in prizes awarded for Impact, Best Pitch and Exemplary Cascador;
  • Eligibility to apply for our $2M Catalytic Fund after program completion, with investments decided at our annual Pitch Day.

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.

Criteria to Apply:

  • 2+ years in operations 
  • ₦50M+ in annual revenue
  • Based in Nigeria

Program Dates:

  • In-person kick-off: September 7-10 at the Radisson Blu, VI in Lagos (lodging & meals provided)
  • Virtual education (weekly 2-hour video calls and projects): September 15-October 31
  • In-person intensive: November 2-7 at Lagos Business School (lodging & meals provided)
  • Catalytic Fund applications open for alumni: January 2026

Things to Know:

  • Cohort limited to 10 entrepreneurs
  • Accepting applications for Cascador 2025 until June 1st at 11:59 PM WAT.
  • Semi-finalists will submit financial documents and due diligence forms in June. 
  • Finalists will be interviewed.
  • Accepted cohort members will be notified by August 1st.

APPLY NOW FOR CASCADOR 2025!

Some applicants have reported issues using our Application Portal. You may click Apply Today to use the portal or complete an application you already started. You may also use the live form below to submit your application directly through our website.

All business models and sectors are welcome. Impact-driven entrepreneurs are preferred. Good luck!

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Eligibility Questions

If you answer NO to any of these 3 questions, you are not eligible for Cascador 2025 and should not complete an application. Eligible companies may apply each year.

Company Information

Please note that this application has an auto-save feature to prevent data loss. Your progress will be automatically saved periodically.
25 words

Organization Primary Contact(s)

Founder / CEO Name
Copy and paste your LinkedIn profile
CEO, Managing Director, CFO, CTO, etc
Secondary Contact Name
Copy and paste your LinkedIn profile
CEO, Managing Director, CFO, CTO, etc

IMPACT

Cascador is a business accelerator focused on social impact rather than traditional VC-investability. We want to hear how your company is changing lives for the better. Please share your top three impact metrics and the associated values. For example, you could be serving small-hold farmers through microfinancing loans and your metrics could be: number of farmers served, outstanding loan portfolio value, and farmer satisfaction rating. Our could be creating upward mobility through job creation and your metrics could be: number of people trained, number of employees and number of indirect jobs created.
50 words
50 words

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Exclude pass-through revenue. For example, if you are an e-commerce company, do not include the value of the merchandise that was sold, or if you are a fintech, do not include the transaction values.

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS

Include investments, grants or loans
This should be in Naira
This should be in Naira
This should be in months

ATTACHMENTS

Traction

Please attach a graph of your yearly revenue over a period of time that shows how it has grown. Please label it clearly.
This can be a simple video recorded on your phone or computer.
This can be a simple video recorded on your phone or computer.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Final Questions

50 words

Application Disclaimer

By clicking Sign and Submit you signify your understanding and acceptance of this Application Disclaimer Cascador Acceleration Program - Application Disclaimer Please read this disclaimer carefully before submitting your application to the Cascador Acceleration Program (the "Program"). By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms of this disclaimer. Consent for Review and Analysis: By submitting your application and any accompanying documents (collectively, the "Application Materials"), you hereby grant Cascador, its team, faculty, and service providers (collectively, the "Cascador Parties") your express consent to review, analyse, and evaluate the Application Materials for the purpose of considering your application for participation in the Program. Accuracy of Information: You represent and warrant that all information provided in your Application Materials is true, accurate, complete, and not misleading. You understand that Cascador Parties will rely on the accuracy of this information in their evaluation process. You acknowledge that you have a continuing obligation to update Cascador Parties if any information provided in your Application Materials becomes inaccurate or incomplete. Intellectual Property and Rights to Use: You represent and warrant that you either own the intellectual property rights in all content included in your Application Materials or that you have obtained all necessary consents, licenses, and permissions to use and submit such content for the purpose of your application to the Program. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Cascador Parties from any claim, demand, loss, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to any alleged or actual infringement of intellectual property rights in your Application Materials. Consequences of False Information: You understand and agree that if any information provided in your Application Materials is found to be false, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading at any stage of the application process or during the Program, Cascador reserves the right to disqualify you from further consideration for the Program, or to immediately terminate your participation in the Program if you have already been accepted, without any obligation or liability to you. No Guarantee of Acceptance: You acknowledge that applying does not guarantee your acceptance into the Program. The selection process is competitive, and Cascador reserves the sole right to make all decisions regarding admissions. Confidentiality: While Cascador Parties will treat your Application Materials with reasonable confidentiality, you understand that the nature of the review process may require sharing your information with internal teams and external evaluators. By submitting your application, you consent to this sharing for the purpose of evaluating your application. Disclaimer of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Cascador Parties shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense incurred by you in connection with the preparation or submission of your application or your participation in the application process. Governing Law: This Application Disclaimer shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Entire Agreement: This Application Disclaimer constitutes the entire agreement between you and Cascador with respect to the application process for the Program and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written Right to Modify: Cascador reserves the right to modify this Application Disclaimer at any time without prior notice. The latest version of the disclaimer will be posted on the Program website or otherwise communicated to applicants.
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Cascador’s $2M Catalytic Fund: A Path to Growth Capital

Cascador alumni who complete our program become eligible to apply for funding from our $2M annual Catalytic Fund .

Launching in May 2025, this fund provides a tailored mix of debt, equity, guarantees, and collateral investments in partnership with Sterling Bank. Selected alumni will present at our exclusive Pitch Day event, where investment decisions are made.