Pitch Day
Transforming African Entrepreneurship
Through Strategic Investment
Cascador is proud to announce our Catalytic Fund, a landmark commitment to developing transformational entrepreneurs across Nigeria. We allocate up to $5 million USD annually to empower our Cascador alumni with the capital they need to scale their impact and drive sustainable economic growth. This long-term investment ensures consistent support for transformational businesses making a difference in communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Catalytic Fund offers a tailored mix of debt, equity, and collateral investments designed to meet the unique needs of each business. We’re proud to partner with Sterling Bank to provide flexible financing solutions that are customized to each entrepreneur’s business model and cash flow patterns.
PITCH DAY
The Catalytic Fund Pitch Day represents the culmination of our funding process and serves as the final step in deciding which entrepreneurs receive investment from our Catalytic Fund.
This exclusive, invitation-only event brings together Cascador alumni to present their businesses to our Investment Committee and a curated audience of investors, partners, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Event Features
- Live pitches from alumni
- Rea-time funding decisions by a panel of judges
- Prize awards from sponsoring partners
- Networking with investors and industry leaders
- Celebration of entrepreneurial excellence
Who Can Participate?
Pitch Day is exclusively available to Cascador alumni who have completed our transformative program. Alumni must submit a comprehensive application addressing business viability, impact metrics, and financial assessment criteria to be considered.
2026 PITCH DAY
2026 FUNDING RECIPIENTS
| Deina Mayaki · Agriarche | ₦2.5B ($1.7M) · Debt |
| Deborah Gael · Koolboks | ₦2B ($1.4M) · Debt |
| Okey Esse · Powerstove | ₦1.8B ($1.2M) · Debt |
| Daniel Komolafe · First Electric | ₦500M ($357K) · Debt |
| Femi Oyewole · Fortics | ₦200M ($142K) · Debt |
| Preston Ideh · Stears | $450K · Equity |
| Yinka Iyinolakan · Indigenius AI | $250K · Equity |
Special Prizes
NSIA Prize for Innovation · Indigenius AI · $10,000 USD
Best Pitch · Koolboks · $10,000 USD
“Capital readiness, not capital, is what turns funding into scale. The founders on stage today walk away with customer pipelines, team training, mentorship, and bespoke support — the connective tissue that lets them multiply what they raise. This is not an accelerator. It is ecosystem architecture, and these founders are its proof.”
Daniel Adeoye
Verod Capital Management
Pitch Day Judge & ScaleUp Faculty
2026 FINALISTS
Deina Mayaki
Agriarche
Okey Esse
Powerstove
Daniel Komolafe
First Electric
Femi Oyewole
Fortics
Deborah Gael
Koolboks
Preston Ideh
Stears
Yinka Iyinolakan
Indigenius AI
2026 JUDGES
Nneka Eze
Iyin Aboyeji
Daniel Adeoye
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2025 PITCH DAY
2025 INNOVATION & BEST PITCH PRIZES
In addition to the main funding pool, two special innovation prizes and a Best Pitch prize were awarded:
- NSIA Prize for Innovation Winner: Michael Ogundare / Crop2Cash ($10,000 USD sponsored by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority)
- DBN Innovation Prize Winner: Omoniyi Salami / N.E.A.T. Microcredit ($5,000 USD sponsored by the Development Bank of Nigeria)
- Best Pitch Prize Winner: Joycee Awosika / ORIKI ($10,000 USD awarded by the judging panel for the best presenter)
These prizes celebrate entrepreneurial excellence and innovative approaches to addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
2025 FINALISTS
Michael Ogundare
Crop 2 Cash
Joycee Awosika
Oriki
Omoniyi Salami
N.E.A.T.
Oluwaseyi Adefemi
Drive45
Olufemi Idowu
24SEVEN
Olumide Gbadebo
Adunni Organics
Babatunde Akin-Moses
Sycamore
Chibuike Goodnews
DoChase
Omowunmi Emmanuel-Ogah
ExCare
PITCH DAY 2025 WAS A SUCCESS!
Our Investment Committee
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Cascador has established partnerships with leading Nigerian financial institutions to enhance the
impact of the Catalytic Fund:
Sterling Bank: Provides blended financing solutions with flexible repayment structures designed around business cash flows. Options include term loans, time loans, equipment lease/asset finance, revenue-based financing, working capital financing, and credit lines.
“Sterling Bank is proud to collaborate with Cascador on this fund that aligns with our commitment to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs. We’ll offer flexible repayment structures designed around business cash flows that address the unique needs of high-impact businesses.” — Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director/CEO at Sterling Bank
Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA): Sponsored the NSIA Prize for Innovation ($10,000 USD) awarded at Pitch Day.
Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN): Sponsored the DBN Prize for Innovation ($5,000 USD) to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence.
United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria: Hosted the 2025 VIP Reception following Pitch Day.
CONTACT
For questions about the Catalytic Fund or Pitch Day:
Amanda Etuk
Program Director
Email: amanda@cascador.org
Phone: +234 2013309272