February 12, 2025 by Our Reporter
Cascador, the preeminent accelerator programme for mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, has announced the appointment of Amanda Etuk as its new programme director.
According to a statement by the company, Etuk, a former Cascador participant and co-founder of Messenger, brings firsthand experience with the transformative impact to her new role. The appointment marks a significant milestone in the firm’s mission to develop transformational leaders in Nigeria.
“I’ve always wanted to help people – it’s one of my values. Being able to support entrepreneurs who face the same challenges I did, while working with an organisation deeply committed to their success, feels like a match made in heaven.
We’re not just providing funding; we’re building a sustainable ecosystem where entrepreneurs can thrive and pay it forward,” she said.
Founder of Cascador, Dave DeLucia emphasised the significance of having a former participant join the leadership team.
“Amanda’s transition from participant to programme director perfectly illustrates our mission of developing transformational leaders. Her insights will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our programme to meet the needs of Nigerian entrepreneurs,” he said.
Co-director at Cascador,Trish Thomas said the new appointee’s experience as an entrepreneur, combined with her passion for supporting others and deep understanding of the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem, makes her qualified to help shape the future of the programme.
Cascador’s co-director and head of strategy at Lagos Business School,Chidi Okoro added that having refined their approach to supporting Nigerian startups over the past six years, bringing Etuk onto the team marks an exciting new chapter.
Article first published here: Firm gets new programme director – The Nation Newspaper