Cascador, Nigeria’s premier accelerator for mid-stage entrepreneurs, announces the launch of its Catalytic Fund, a $2 million annual initiative providing tailored financial support to Cascador alumni companies. Since its founding in 2019, Cascador has supported over 60 entrepreneurs who have collectively raised more than $55 million in capital.
“The Catalytic Fund addresses the persistent capital gap many Nigerian entrepreneurs face despite having viable, impactful businesses,” said Dave DeLucia, Founder of Cascador. “We’re deploying capital where it can truly be catalytic — powering growth, improving access to alternative funding sources, and enabling sustainable scale.”
Applications opened February 14, with finalists scheduled to present at a Pitch Day event on May 14, 2025. The Cascador pitches will be evaluated by an elite investment committee based on impact, business viability, and financial assessment, focusing on entrepreneurs creating jobs, delivering social impact, and unlocking opportunities for underserved communities.
Cascador has established partnerships with leading Nigerian financial institutions. Sterling Bank will provide blended financing solutions through a custom lending program tailored to alumni needs, The partnership aims to provide affordable and sustainable loans to Cascador alumni through flexible repayment structures around business cash flows.
“Sterling Bank is proud to collaborate with Cascador on this fund that aligns with our commitment to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs,” said Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director/CEO at Sterling Bank. “We’ll offer flexible repayment structures and terms designed around business cash flows that address the unique needs of high-impact businesses.”
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) will sponsor innovation prizes at the Pitch Day event. The NSIA Prize for Innovation offers $10,000 USD, while the DBN Prize provides $5,000 USD to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence.
The fund will make decisions and capital allocations based on social impact achievements, job creation, market traction, team expertise, and sustainable growth metrics.
“Our mission isn’t to deliver profit like a traditional venture fund, but to amplify impact and preserve capital for future Cascador alumni,” DeLucia added.
Key Dates:
- February 14: Application Launch
- March 13: Applications Close
- April 1: Semi-finalists Shortlisted
- May 14: Pitch Day & Funding Announcements
For more information, visit www.cascador.org.
About Cascador
Cascador is a transformative accelerator program designed to equip mid-stage African entrepreneurs with the skills, mentorship, and resources needed to scale their businesses and drive meaningful impact. Cascador offers a multi-phase learning experience that combines in-person intensive sessions, virtual mentorship, and strategic networking opportunities. By fostering leadership development and business growth, Cascador empowers mission-driven entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and expand their enterprises sustainably.
