By Fancy Goodman for partner

May 19, 2025

On May 14, 2025, the Radisson Blu Anchorage in Victoria Island, Lagos, was abuzz with entrepreneurial energy as Cascador hosted its annual Pitch Day.

The event brought together a select group of alumni from the Cascador program, an initiative renowned for nurturing mid-stage, mission-driven African entrepreneurs.

Since its launch in 2019, Cascador has helped elevate  six cohorts of entrepreneurs through a combination of education, self-discovery, mentoring, pitch training, and personalised advisory support.

On May 14, 2025, the Radisson Blu Anchorage in Victoria Island, Lagos, was abuzz with entrepreneurial energy as Cascador hosted its annual Pitch Day.

The event brought together a select group of alumni from the Cascador program, an initiative renowned for nurturing mid-stage, mission-driven African entrepreneurs.

Since its launch in 2019, Cascador has helped elevate  six cohorts of entrepreneurs through a combination of education, self-discovery, mentoring, pitch training, and personalised advisory support.

Pitch Day is a hallmark of the Cascador experience, reserved exclusively for alumni who have completed the transformative program. To earn their spot as finalists, participants had to submit comprehensive applications demonstrating business viability, impact metrics, and financial sustainability.

This year, nine entrepreneurs were chosen to pitch their ventures: Michael Ogundare of Crop2Cash, Joycee Awosika of Oriki, Omoniyi Salami of N.E.A.T., Olumide Gbadebo of Adunni Organics, Babatunde Akin-Moses of Sycamore, Chibuke Goodnews of DoChase, Oluwaseyi Adefemi of Drive45, Olufemi Idowu of 24SEVEN, and Omowunmi Emmanuel-Ogah of Ex-Care.

Cascador awarded all nine businesses debt financing : ₦225,000,000 to Ex-Care; ₦500,000,000 to  N.E.A.T.; ₦100,000,000 to Crop2Cash; ₦750, 000,000 to Oriki;  ₦100,000,000 to Adunni Organics; ₦250,000,000 to DoChase; ₦1,500,000,000 to Sycamore; ₦2,000,000,000 to Drive45; and ₦500,000,000 to 24SEVEN.

The event was anchored by David Ubabudike, who kept the programme engaging and seamless.

A major highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the $2 million Catalytic Fund, a landmark commitment that will see Cascador allocate $2 million annually, starting in May 2025, to empower its alumni with the capital they need to scale their impact. This fund is designed as a combination of debt, equity, and collateral investments, in partnership with Sterling Bank, to meet the unique needs of each business.

The financing solutions are customised to each entrepreneur’s business model and cash flow patterns, ensuring that support is both relevant and sustainable. The Catalytic Fund represents a significant step forward in Cascador’s mission to drive sustainable economic growth and support transformational businesses making a difference across Nigeria.

In addition to the main funding pool, Cascador celebrated entrepreneurial excellence by awarding two special innovation prizes. The NSIA Prize for Innovation, sponsored by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority(NSIA), awarded $10,000 to Crop2Cash for their outstanding work in agritech.

The DBN Innovation Prize, sponsored by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), awarded $5,000 to N.E.A.T. for their innovative approach to entrepreneurial excellence.

Cascador also recognised Oriki with a $10,000 award for delivering the best pitch of the day.

The event was graced by an impressive roster of business leaders, mentors, and judges. Abubakar Sulaiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, delivered a keynote speech emphasising the need for Nigerian businesses to become “bankable”: viable and profitable. He highlighted Sterling Bank’s commitment to ensuring that entrepreneurs can independently access the financial support they need and joined the panel of judges in presenting awards.

The judging panel included Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Future Africa, Flutterwave, and Andela; Ada Osakwe, co-founder of Atika Ventures and CEO of The Nuli Food Company; and Daniel Adeoye, Partner at Verod Capital.

The Cascador team led by David DeLucia, Founder, Trish Thomas, CEO, Amanda Etuk, Program Director and Patrick Amajama, Administrator hosted the groundbreaking event with the support of partner representatives from the NSIA, DBN and Sterling Bank

In his address, Delucia explained the rationale behind Cascador’s selective admissions process, noting that the program admits a limited number of Nigerian entrepreneurs each year to ensure one-on-one mentorship and meaningful relationships.

He spoke passionately about his commitment to sharing knowledge and fostering the next generation of Nigerian business leaders, describing Cascador as a “cascade of wisdom from one generation to the next.”

As the event concluded, the sense of possibility in the room was palpable. Cascador Pitch Day 2025 not only celebrated the achievements of its alumni but also set a new benchmark for entrepreneurial support in Nigeria. With the launch of the Catalytic Fund and the continued backing of visionary partners, Cascador is set to empower even more entrepreneurs to transform their industries and communities in Nigeria for years to come.

Applications for the 2025 Cohort of Cascador is open till June 1, 2025 https://cascador.org/apply-now/

Article first published here: Highlights from Cascador Pitch Day

Lagos, Nigeria – August 11, 2025 – 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:

DBN to Sponsor Flagship Innovation Prize of $5,000 USD at Cascador’s Inaugural Alumni Pitch Day

2025: Cascador, the premier accelerator for mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, and the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), the nation’s leading development finance institution, today announced a strategic partnership to scale impact-driven businesses and catalyze innovation across Nigeria. This collaboration reinforces both organizations’ shared mission to power economic growth, provide training to the business community, and expand opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

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. DBN’s involvement will further enhance the funds and capacity building support available to promising entrepreneurs.

Applications for Cascador’s Alumni Funding Cycle 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 DBN.

“This partnership represents a powerful alignment of visions,” said Trish Thomas, CEO at Cascador. “By combining DBN’s financial infrastructure with Cascador’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and accelerator program, we’re creating an unprecedented pathway for Nigerian innovators to scale their impact.”

Key Partnership Elements:

DBN Prize for Innovation: $5,000 financial award + access to DBN’s entrepreneurial ecosystem;
Capacity Building: Joint training programs bridging DBN’s SME development expertise with Cascador’s entrepreneurial curriculum.

“DBN is committed to empowering SMEs as engines of economic growth,” stated Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director / CEO at DBN. “Through this partnership with Cascador, we’re investing in Nigeria’s most promising entrepreneurs while advancing our ‘Race to 500K’ SME development goal.”
Cascador 2025 program applications open April 1st. To learn more about Cascador and to apply, visit cascador.org.

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 DBN

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) was conceived by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in collaboration with global development partners to address the major financing challenges facing Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The objective of the Development Bank of Nigeria is to alleviate financing constraints faced by MSMEs and small Corporates in Nigeria through the provision of financing and partial credit guarantees to eligible financial intermediaries on a market-conforming and fully financially sustainable basis. Learn more at devbankng.com.

Article first published here: Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Partners with Cascador to Empower Nigerian Entrepreneurs – Businessday NG

Cascador, Nigeria’s premier accelerator for mid-stage entrepreneurs, has announced a landmark 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.” 

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 14th 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 represent 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.

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 the development of opportunities for underprivileged and marginalized communities. Learn more at cascador.org.

About Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank is a leading Nigerian commercial bank and one of Africa’s most progressive financial institutions, widely recognized for its bold approach to customer advocacy and ethical banking.

From eliminating local transfer fees through its OneBank platform to championing inclusive access to capital, the bank has consistently led with impact. Renowned for its HEART  of Sterling strategy, which focuses major investments into the Healthcare, Education,  Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation sectors of the Nigerian economy, Sterling continues to build financial solutions that go beyond banking to enable dignity, mobility, and opportunity for millions of Nigerians. Explore Sterling Bank offerings at sterling.ng.

Article first published here: Cascador and Sterling Bank launch breakthrough funding for Nigerian entrepreneurs  – Nairametrics