Announced in celebration of International Youth Day 2026, the program will award top-performing founders up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding

14 August 2026, Abuja – The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), today announced a new partnership with Cascador, a Nigeria-focused platform for growth-stage founders, to fund and support the next generation of Nigerian youth entrepreneurs. The announcement coincides with International Youth Day 2026, whose global theme this year — “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” — calls on institutions to close the gap between young people’s circumstances and their opportunities.

The NiYA × Cascador Founders Program will run as a pilot cohort of 20 early-stage Nigerian youth founders, many without formal business registration or a financial track record. Over an intensive four-week curriculum, they’ll develop business fundamentals, investment readiness, and pitch preparation. At the program’s close, the eight top-performing founders will receive non-dilutive funding of up to ₦5 million each from Cascador, along with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to help structure, manage, and scale their business operations, at a NiYA/FMYD-organised Pitch Day.

The pilot is an early step toward NiYA’s broader ambition to train and empower 7 million Nigerian youth within two years.

“For NiYA, training is only one part of the journey. The real value is in helping young people move from learning to enterprise, from ideas to investable businesses, and from potential to sustainable economic participation. The partnership with Cascador strengthens that pathway by combining business preparation with access to capital, particularly for young founders who may not yet have the formal structures or financial history that traditional funding often requires,” the Minister said. 

The program pairs NiYA and FMYD’s reach into Nigeria’s youth ecosystem with Cascador’s experience preparing founders for capital. NiYA and FMYD manage sourcing, training, and day-to-day delivery; Cascador helps define eligibility criteria, supports the cohort’s investment readiness, judges the participants’ pitches, and funds the program’s top performers.

“NiYA and FMYD have already shown what real commitment to Nigeria’s youth looks like — the platforms, the reach, the ambition to train millions. What we’re building together now is the missing piece, a practical bridge from the ideation stage to real capital-readiness. When a Ministry so dedicated to its young people asked Cascador to help build that bridge, it was an easy decision,” said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador.

Oyin Solebo, COO of Cascador and former Managing Director of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator, highlighted the partnership’s impact, saying, “This is what innovative capital deployment looks like: a government building real investment readiness at scale, and a partner meeting that foundational work with non-dilutive funding at exactly the moment it’s needed. Partnerships like this open doors that neither of us could open alone.”

“The Minister for Youth also speaks on what the pilot represents, stating, “The pilot is deliberately designed to test a model that can go beyond one cohort. If young founders can be identified early, prepared properly, connected to credible capital and supported to build stronger business systems, then access to opportunity becomes less dependent on background or existing networks. That is the larger objective: to build a youth entrepreneurship ecosystem in which readiness, ideas and execution can increasingly determine who gets the opportunity to grow.”

The pilot will run in-person in Abuja with virtual touchpoints and 1:1 mentorship. All 20 graduates retain NiYA alumni status, with priority consideration for future opportunities.

Applications will open on Wednesday 19th August 2026. Interested youth entrepreneurs can visit www.niya.gov.ng to learn more and apply.

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About the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) and NiYA
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) is the Federal Government of Nigeria’s institution responsible for providing strategic leadership and a sustainable framework for policies, programmes, and initiatives that empower young Nigerians and enhance their participation in national development. The Ministry works with government institutions, private-sector organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for youth in areas including skills development, entrepreneurship, employment, innovation, digital transformation, leadership, and economic participation.

The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) is a flagship digital platform of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development designed to provide Nigerian youth with access to learning, skills development, opportunities, resources, and programmes that support their personal and professional growth. Through a digital-first approach, NiYA seeks to connect young Nigerians to relevant training, entrepreneurship support, career opportunities, grants, mentorship, and other interventions, creating a more accessible and coordinated ecosystem for youth development.

Together, FMYD and NiYA are advancing a more connected, empowered, and opportunity-driven generation of Nigerian youth, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, networks, and opportunities required to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

About Cascador
Cascador is a Nigeria-focused platform for growth-stage founders building businesses that make an impact. Through Cascador ScaleUp, its flagship program, Cascador works with an elite cohort of entrepreneurs to strengthen their leadership and sharpen their strategy, preparing them to scale successfully. ScaleUp alumni gain exclusive access to the Catalytic Fund, which deploys up to $5M USD in capital annually through a blend of debt and equity investments. Since 2019, Cascador has supported 70 companies that have collectively raised over $125 million. Today, alumni are driving innovation, creating jobs, raising investment capital, winning awards, and changing the face of the African economy. Learn more at www.cascador.org

Empowering High-Growth Entrepreneurs with Capital, Guidance, and Tools to Scale

1 April, 2026,  Lagos – Cascador, an Africa-focused platform that unlocks the potential of the region’s most transformative entrepreneurs, has today announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Cascador ScaleUp Program, for an elite class of ambitious founders poised to scale their companies. ​​ Focused on both real economy and technology-enabled ventures, the program equips growth-stage entrepreneurs with the leadership skills, strategic clarity, and network to succeed,  while also preparing founders to apply for $2–5 million annually in debt or equity capital through the Cascador Catalytic Fund.

Cascador will select 12 founders who are leading companies with proven traction for a hybrid experience that will include:

• Bespoke 1:1 support from investors, African and international experts, and strategic partners
• Eligibility for follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund, which deploys  $2–5 million annually in growth capital through local currency debt, equity, guarantees, and collateral investments in partnership with Sterling Bank.
• 12-week program: 2 weeks in-person sessions – including the program kickoff and pitch week, packaged with 10 weeks of virtual sessions for founders and their leadership teams
• Live Pitch Day, for the chance to be awarded $50k USD in prizes

The application process is two-fold, with a preliminary application requiring 15 minutes to complete, followed by a full application for well-qualified founders. Early submission of the preliminary application is encouraged. Benefits include: personal interviews, exclusive event participation, and early semi-finalist notification for top applicants.

Applications are open now and close on June 15, with the program commencing on August 15.

“Entrepreneurs are the engines of change. At Cascador, our goal is to help accelerate growth-stage founders who we consider great multipliers, building businesses that transform lives, communities, and markets. This Program is designed to empower impactful ventures on the cusp of scale for social good,”  said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador. 

Since 2019, Cascador has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital. In 2025 alone, Cascador’s alumni created over 67,000 job opportunities and delivered essential products and services to more than 1.7 million customers. The 2026 program aims to multiply this impact by supporting a new generation of business leaders who are ambitious, adaptable, and capable of using both knowledge and capital to scale high-performing companies that deliver meaningful, lasting social and economic impact.

“The ScaleUp program is designed to back entrepreneurs who see possibilities where others see limits; they are the ones redefining Africa’s future. Even with great vision, committed teams, and market-fit products, there are a myriad of challenges to navigate as a business. Cascador provides the customized, structural support they need to overcome obstacles, scale with confidence, and create lasting impact across Africa,” commented David DeLucia, Co-Founder of Cascador 

Cascador has developed a personalized approach to growth acceleration that engages the founder and their leadership team in targeted knowledge-sharing, high-value introductions, advisory support, and resource allocations that enable rapid scale. Today, Cascador boasts 7 successful cohorts, including Babatunde Akin-Moses (Sycamore), Joycee Awosika (ORÍKÌ), Samson Ogbole (Soiless Farm Lab), Ayoola Dominic  (Koolboks), Andrew Airelobhegbe  (Lenco), Adeola Alli (OneHealth), Seun Alley  (Fez Delivery),  Seyi Adefemi (Drive45 Mobility), and many others, who are driving innovation, creating jobs, raising investment capital, winning awards, and changing the face of the African economy.

“Cascador has given me the clarity to lead more effectively and strategically,” reflected Oluwaseyi Adefemi, Co-Founder and CEO of Drive45Mobility and recipient of N2bn in funding in 2025 and the Exemplary Cascador Award 2024. “My forward-thinking approach is now ten steps ahead, and I’m making decisions with greater discipline. The program challenged me to think bigger, refine my vision, and build systems that allow my business to grow sustainably. Today, I lead with greater purpose, and I’m better equipped to scale my impact,” he added. 

Applications are open now and close on June 15, with the program commencing on August 15. An in-person Open House event will also be held on April 29 in Abuja and on May 5 in Lagos, providing applicants with additional information on the program, Q&A sessions with alumni and networking opportunities. Please check the website for further details.

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About Cascador

Cascador is an Africa-focused platform for growth-stage founders building businesses that matter. Through Cascador ScaleUp, its flagship program, Cascador works with an elite cohort of entrepreneurs to strengthen their leadership and sharpen their strategy, preparing them for responsible scale. By connecting successful ventures to the networks, capital, and strategic support required to grow, Cascador is helping build the next generation of enduring African businesses. Since 2019, Cascador has supported 70 founders who have collectively raised over $125 million and created almost 67,000 jobs in 2025 alone. Learn more and apply at www.cascador.org.

Lagos, Nigeria – March 25, 2026 – Cascador today announced the appointment of Oyin Solebo as Chief Operating Officer, bringing on a proven builder with deep experience scaling startups and deploying capital across Africa. Her appointment signals a strategic shift toward strengthening the systems, discipline, and infrastructure required to help growth-stage companies scale sustainably.

Solebo is a seasoned investor and ecosystem builder with deep experience across venture capital, startup acceleration, and corporate innovation in Africa. She previously served as Managing Director of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator,  where she led investments in and supported high-growth startups across multiple sectors. Across her career, she has built a reputation for translating bold vision into disciplined execution, helping companies move from traction to true scale.

Her appointment marks a critical step in Cascador’s evolution—from a leadership-focused program into a platform designed to systematically scale high-impact companies.

“Oyin is a force multiplier,” said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador. “She understands what it takes to build and run organizations that endure. As we expand our focus from developing founders to scaling companies, her operational expertise will be instrumental in helping us deliver on that vision.”

Cascador’s model is grounded in a clear thesis: backing founders who can multiply the value they receive, turning education into execution, and capital into lasting economic and social impact.

Through its ScaleUp Program, Cascador equips growth-stage entrepreneurs with the leadership skills, strategic clarity, and access to catalytic capital required to scale sustainably. The program is designed for founders with proven traction—those capable of absorbing significant investment and deploying it effectively to drive growth, job creation, and long-term resilience.

Solebo’s experience sits squarely at this intersection of leadership, capital, and execution.

“In Africa, we don’t have a shortage of founders, we have a shortage of companies that successfully scale,” said Solebo. “The difference lies in systems, discipline, and the ability to deploy capital effectively. Cascador has built a powerful foundation by investing in people. The opportunity now is to extend that into building stronger companies that can absorb capital, institutionalize operations, and grow sustainably.”

As Chief Operating Officer, Solebo will focus on strengthening Cascador’s operational infrastructure and scaling its platform capabilities. This includes optimizing program delivery, deepening alumni support, and building systems that enable founders to transition from learning to execution and from execution to scale.

Her role will be particularly critical in advancing Cascador’s ScaleUp Program and Catalytic Fund, which deploys $2–5 million annually in tailored financing to high-performing alumni. The fund is designed not simply to extend their runway, but to back “resource multipliers”:  ventures that can transform capital into durable financial performance and measurable impact.

Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador, emphasized the strategic importance of the appointment: “Cascador has always been about multiplying impact through entrepreneurship. With Oyin, we are strengthening our ability to ensure that the hard work of our team and the deployment of capital ultimately translates into scaled, enduring businesses. She brings the operational discipline and ecosystem insight needed to take us to the next level.”

Solebo also highlighted Cascador’s unique positioning within the African ecosystem. “What makes Cascador different is its focus on multipliers—founders who can take what they learn and amplify it across their companies, teams, and markets,” she said. “If we can consistently support those founders with the right combination of education, networks, and capital, the ripple effects are enormous—more jobs, stronger industries, and a more resilient economy.”

Looking ahead, Solebo aims to position Cascador as a long-term scaling partner for its entrepreneurs. “We are building more than a program. We are building a platform,” she said. “A platform that identifies high-potential founders, equips them to lead, and then supports them with the financial and non-financial resources required to scale. If we do this well, we won’t just transform individual companies—we’ll shape the future of the African economy.”

Her appointment underscores Cascador’s ambition to become a central engine for entrepreneurial scale in Africa where leadership, capital, and execution come together to unlock lasting impact.

About Cascador
Cascador is an Africa-focused platform for growth-stage founders building businesses that matter. Through Cascador ScaleUp, its flagship program, Cascador works with an elite cohort of entrepreneurs to strengthen their leadership and sharpen their strategy, preparing them for responsible scale. By connecting founders to the networks, capital, and strategic support required to grow, Cascador is helping build the next generation of enduring African businesses. Since 2019, Cascador has supported more than 70 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised over $125 million and created almost 40,000 jobs in 2025 alone. 

Learn more about Cascador or apply at www.cascador.org. 

For media inquiries and additional information, please contact:

Amanda Etuk
Program Director, Cascador
amanda@cascador.org
+234 2013309272

 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:

• Education and leadership development;
• One-on-one mentorship with seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders;
• Cross-sector peer learning and collaboration;
• Strategic networking with investors, partners, and industry experts; and
• Eligibility for future Catalytic Fund capital funding as a program alumnus.

“At Cascador, we believe the future of Africa will be shaped by bold entrepreneurs with the vision to solve real problems and the grit to scale their solutions,” said Trish Thomas, CEO of Cascador. “This year’s cohort reflects that promise—diverse in geography, sector and approach, but united by purpose and the courage to lead.”

Advancing a new generation of leaders

Since launching in 2019, Cascador has supported over 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $60 million and created thousands of jobs across Africa. The program’s influence continues to grow, nurturing not only high-impact ventures but the visionary leaders behind them.

“This cohort isn’t just tackling problems—they’re building the systems, solutions, and companies that will define Nigeria’s future,” said Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador. “They’re leading with vision and scaling impact in ways that uplift society.”

About Cascador

Cascador is a Nigeria-based not-for-profit organization and entrepreneurial development program focused on developing mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs who are scaling mission-driven companies. By combining world-class education, one-on-one 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. Learn more about the 2025 cohort, past alumni, and how to support Cascador’s mission at Cascador.org.

Article first published on August 11, 2025 here: Cascador unveils 2025 cohort: Eleven visionary leaders driving Africa’s transformation | TechCabal