Cascador Opens Applications to its 2026 ScaleUp Program for Growth-Stage Founders
Cascador, an Africa-focused platform that unlocks the potential of the region’s most transformative entrepreneurs, has today announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Cascador ScaleUp Program, for an elite class of ambitious founders poised to scale their companies. Focused on both real economy and technology-enabled ventures, the program equips growth-stage entrepreneurs with the leadership skills, strategic clarity, and network to succeed, while also preparing founders to apply for $2–5 million annually in debt or equity capital through the Cascador Catalytic Fund.
Cascador will select 12 founders who are leading companies with proven traction for a hybrid experience that will include:
- Bespoke 1:1 support from investors, African and international experts, and strategic partners
- Eligibility for follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund, which deploys $2–5 million annually in growth capital through local currency debt, equity, guarantees, and collateral investments in partnership with Sterling Bank.
- 12-week program: 2 weeks in-person sessions – including the program kickoff and pitch week, packaged with 10 weeks of virtual sessions for founders and their leadership teams
- Live Pitch Day, for the chance to be awarded $50k USD in prizes
Since 2019, Cascador has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital. In 2025 alone, Cascador’s alumni created over 67,000 job opportunities and delivered essential products and services to more than 1.7 million customers.I’ve attached the full press release and an image below. I’ll be happy to connect you with Amanda Etuk, Program Director, or Oyin Solebo, COO, Cascador, to discuss in detail how the program has been designed specifically for the needs of the continent’s next generation of leaders.
