• Cascador to select 12 founders for 2026 ScaleUp programme combining mentorship and access to $2–5 million in catalytic funding

• Initiative targets growth-stage firms facing limited access to scale capital across African markets

• Programme alumni have raised $125 million since 2019 and created over 67,000 jobs in 2025

Nigerian Africa-focused entrepreneurship platform Cascador has opened applications for its 2026 ScaleUp Programme, targeting growth-stage companies seeking to expand operations amid persistent financing gaps across the continent’s startup ecosystem. The initiative will select 12 founders for a 12-week programme combining strategic support with potential access to $2 million to $5 million in catalytic funding aimed at helping businesses transition from early traction to scale.

The programme will bring together selected entrepreneurs for a hybrid experience combining two weeks of in-person sessions with 10 weeks of virtual advisory support. Participants will receive tailored one-on-one guidance from investors, industry experts and strategic partners, alongside access to networks designed to support business expansion and operational scaling.

Participants will also become eligible for follow-on financing through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund, which deploys between $2 million and $5 million annually using a mix of instruments including local currency debt, equity, guarantees and collateral-backed structures in partnership with Sterling Bank. The use of blended financing tools reflects a broader shift toward more flexible capital structures adapted to African markets.

The initiative comes against a backdrop of structural financing constraints affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. According to the International Finance Corporation, the SME financing gap in Africa exceeds $300 billion, with growth-stage companies particularly affected due to limited access to long-term capital and risk-sharing instruments. This “missing middle” continues to constrain business expansion despite increased venture capital activity at the early-stage level.

In addition, macroeconomic conditions in several African markets, including high interest rates, currency volatility and tightening liquidity, have further limited access to affordable financing, pushing entrepreneurs to seek alternative funding models that combine capital with operational support.

Since its launch in 2019, Cascador reports that it has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital. In 2025 alone, companies from its network created more than 67,000 jobs and reached over 1.7 million customers, highlighting the role of scaling SMEs in employment generation and service delivery across the continent.

The programme also includes a live pitch session, during which selected founders will compete for up to $50,000 in prize funding, while engaging with potential investors and partners. Beyond funding, such platforms increasingly aim to address execution challenges, including governance, strategy and market expansion, that often limit the scalability of African businesses.

Applications for the 2026 cohort are open until June 15, with the programme scheduled to begin in August. Information sessions are also planned in Abuja and Lagos ahead of the selection process.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang