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

Cascador, Nigeria’s leading program for developing transformational entrepreneurs, proudly announces the opening of applications for its 2025 cohort. Now in its seventh year, Cascador has established itself as a catalyst for business growth and impact across Nigeria, empowering mid-stage entrepreneurs to scale their ventures while creating meaningful social change.

This year’s program represents Cascador’s most comprehensive and ambitious initiative to date—featuring expanded curriculum, enhanced funding opportunities, strengthened post-program support, and an intensified focus on driving measurable social impact across Nigeria.

“We’re building a powerful force for positive change in Africa’s economic future,” states Dave DeLucia, Cascador Founder. “Our entrepreneurs aren’t just building companies—they’re creating solutions that address critical challenges across Nigeria.”

The 2025 program will provide participants with:

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 new $2M Catalytic Fund.

Cascador fellows are dedicated to accelerating business growth, improving their leadership skills, and refining their value proposition with the guidance of successful American and Nigerian entrepreneurs. Through our educational program and access to our $2M Catalytic Fund, we provide both knowledge and capital—the two critical resources entrepreneurs need to scale successfully.

Cascador launched in 2019, has elevated six successful cohorts of African entrepreneurs and their companies through a unique blend of education, self-discovery, mentoring, pitch training, and personalized advisory support.

Eligibility

CASCADOR 2025 IS FOR YOU.

• If you are ready to challenge your assumptions, pressure test your business model, and expand your thinking…
• If you want to connect to a vibrant community of advisors, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs…
• If you seek not just guidance but also funding to scale your impact…
• If you are passionate about your mission, committed to your team, and inspired by the impact your business can make on the world…

Benefits

ANNUAL $2M CATALYTIC FUND

Beginning in May 2025, Cascador will allocate $2 million USD annually to empower its alumni with the capital they need to scale their impact.

Through a partnership with Sterling Bank, Cascador offers a tailored mix of debt, equity, guarantees, and collateral investments designed to meet the unique needs of each business. The fund culminates in our annual Pitch Day, where selected alumni present their businesses to the Investment Committee and a curated audience of investors and lenders.

Deadline: June 1st,2025

Click HERE to Apply

Article first published here: Call For Applications: Cascador 2025 For Mid-Stage African Entrepreneurs – MSME Africa

By Partner

Lagos, Nigeria – April 1, 2025: 

Cascador, Nigeria’s leading program for developing transformational entrepreneurs, proudly announces the opening of applications for its 2025 cohort. Now in its seventh year, Cascador has established itself as a catalyst for business growth and impact across Nigeria, empowering mid-stage entrepreneurs to scale their ventures while creating meaningful social change.

This year’s program represents Cascador’s most comprehensive and ambitious initiative to date—featuring expanded curriculum, enhanced funding opportunities, strengthened post-program support, and an intensified focus on driving measurable social impact across Nigeria.

“We’re building a powerful force for positive change in Africa’s economic future,” states Dave DeLucia, Cascador Founder. “Our entrepreneurs aren’t just building companies—they’re creating solutions that address critical challenges across Nigeria.”

The 2025 program will provide participants with:

• A comprehensive three-month development experience
• A $5,000 USD professional development stipend
• Access to a powerful network of alumni who have collectively raised over $55M USD
• Expert mentorship from successful Nigerian and American entrepreneurs
• Eligibility to apply for capital from the annual $2M Cascador Catalytic Fund
• Opportunity to compete for $50,000 in program prizes

Godwin Benson, CEO of Tuteria and 2024 Pitch Competition Winner, shared the impact of his Cascador experience: “The Cascador program literally changed my life and the trajectory of my business. When I came in, I wasn’t satisfied or happy with our rate of growth. Cascador gave me clarity. The mentors we met, the instructors, the faculty—they really helped me see opportunities that I hadn’t considered before.”

The 2025 Cascador program includes:

• 3-day kickoff intensive (September 7-11)
• 6 weeks of virtual learning, real-world application, and advisory support
• Week-long residency at Lagos Business School (November 2-7)
• 6 months of post-program mentorship

A standout feature of the program is the newly established $2M Cascador Catalytic Fund, designed specifically to empower Cascador alumni. Launching in May 2025, this annual fund will provide a tailored mix of debt, equity, guarantees, and collateral investments in partnership with Sterling Bank.

Amanda Etuk, Cascador Program Director and program alumna, emphasizes the program’s distinctive approach: “What sets Cascador apart is our focus on both the founder and the business. We cultivate transformational leaders who can drive sustainable impact while building scalable ventures.”

Who Should Apply?

Cascador seeks mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria:

• 2+ years in operation
• Annual revenue exceeding ₦50M
• Commitment to measurable social impact
• Based in Nigeria

The program is limited to 10 participants, ensuring personalized attention and tailored support for each entrepreneur.

Important Dates:

• Applications Open: April 1, 2025
• Applications Close: June 1, 2025
• Cohort Announcement: July 15, 2025

“There are very few scaling programs across Africa that focus on two critical things: making you an amazing leader and scaling your business. You can’t find that anywhere else,” notes Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze, CEO of AccountingHub and 2024 Impact Award Winner.

Take Action Now

Entrepreneurs ready to transform their businesses and scale their impact are encouraged to apply immediately. With limited spots available and an increasingly competitive selection process, early applications are strongly recommended.

Apply now at www.cascador.org before the June 1st deadline.

Visit Cascador’s YouTube channel to view testimonials from past participants.

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 $55M USD in capital and are actively transforming their communities for the better.

Article first published here: Cascador 2025: Applications Now Open for Nigeria’s Premier Entrepreneurial Development Program | TechCabal

ThisDay Newspaper 4 February 2025

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 held recently in Ikeja.

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.”

Speaking about the programme curriculum in 2024 and how it has helped the entrepreneurs, Director of Cascador, Trish Thomas, said: “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.” 

She added: “We taught the importance of knowing your customer and building your products, services and experiences around their needs. Today, our founders have time to complete a 3-week customer research project with their team, share their insights, and get our help in applying their findings to their business model. We also create a more lasting bond between the founders in each cohort through extended interaction, and teach a more holistic curriculum than before.” 

Article first published here: Cascador Deepens Nigeria’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem  – THISDAYLIVE