The Cascador ScaleUp Program is a 12-week leadership and business development experience designed for growth-stage founders in Sub-Saharan Africa. It prepares founders to effectively deploy growth capital and build enduring companies through a combination of bespoke business analysis, leadership development, and practical strategic guidance. The program strengthens both the company and the founder’s ability to lead at scale, while providing a clear pathway to capital through the Cascador Catalytic Fund.
Program Overview
Each year, Cascador selects a cohort of high-potential African founders for a tailored program built around their specific businesses. The experience combines in-person intensives, virtual sessions, mentorship, peer learning, and hands-on execution to ensure that insights translate into real-world impact. Through personalized advisory support and deep business analysis, founders refine their strategy, strengthen leadership capabilities, and improve their readiness to deploy capital effectively.
What Founders Gain
• Strategy & Scale: Participants receive a bespoke Business Health Check with actionable recommendations, a stronger business model and value proposition, and a clear path to scaling operations, teams, and systems.
• Capital & Growth: The program strengthens capital readiness, including fundraising strategy and financial discipline, and enhances the ability to deploy capital effectively for sustainable growth.
• Leadership & Network: Founders gain access to experienced entrepreneurs, advisors, and capital partners, alongside practical, growth-focused learning. Select members of the leadership team may also participate in key sessions.
• Financial Benefits: Participants receive a $5,000 stipend upon successful completion. Up to $50,000 in pitch prizes is awarded during the program, and all travel, lodging, and meals for required in-person sessions are fully covered.
Eligibility Criteria
• Role: Applicants must be a Founder or Co-founder.
• Operational History: Businesses must have at least 2 years of operations, with limited exceptions for companies demonstrating exceptional performance.
• Revenue: A minimum of $70,000 USD in annual revenue (or ₦100M+), with many selected companies generating significantly higher revenues.
• Location: Businesses must be based in or primarily operating within Sub-Saharan Africa, with a preference for Nigeria-based ventures.
• Impact: Preference is given to companies delivering meaningful social or economic impact.
• Commitment: Applicants must be able to fully participate in all program activities.
2026 Program Timeline
• Pre-Program Preparation (Remote): August 17–28
• In-Person Kickoff (Lagos): August 31 – September 3
• Site Visits: Week of September 7
• Weekly Virtual Sessions: September 14 – October 31
• In-Person Intensive & Pitch Day (Lagos): November 2–6
Application Process and Key Dates
• Preliminary Application: All applicants begin with a short (approximately 15-minute) application due by 15 June 2026, 17:00 GMT+1.
• Full Application: Selected founders are invited to complete a full application on a rolling basis. Requirements include a financial model, financial statements, a video submission, and a team questionnaire. The semi-finalist deadline is 29 June 2026, 17:00 GMT+1.
• Selection Process: Semi-finalists submit additional materials, and finalists are invited for interviews. Final cohort participants are notified by 1 August 2026.
• Early Application Advantage: Candidates who submit early have more time to complete the full application. Top applicants who complete their full application by 25 May 2026 may receive an invitation to attend Pitch Day on 3 June 2026.
The Cascador Catalytic Fund
Graduates of the ScaleUp Program become eligible to apply for funding from the Cascador Catalytic Fund, which deploys up to $5 million USD annually. The fund offers tailored financing solutions—including debt, equity, guarantees, and collateral support—in partnership with Sterling Bank, enabling high-potential ventures to access and deploy capital effectively.
Informational Events
Prospective applicants can learn more about the program by attending in-person Open Houses:
• Abuja: 29 April 2026, 16:00 GMT+1 (RSVP required)
• Lagos: 5 May 2026, 17:00 GMT+1 (RSVP required)
For founders building high-impact, growth-stage companies across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Cascador ScaleUp Program provides a structured pathway to strengthen leadership, refine strategy, and scale sustainably.