Cascador has selected 10 Nigerian growth-stage companies for its 2026 ScaleUp Programme, following more than 1,000 qualified applications from businesses seeking to expand their operations, create jobs and deepen their impact across the Nigerian economy.
The 12-week programme, which commenced on September 2, 2026, brings together companies operating across healthcare, agriculture, clean energy, financial technology, beauty, wellness, tourism, manufacturing and other sectors of the real economy.
Key Highlights
- Cascador selected 10 Nigerian growth-stage companies for its 2026 ScaleUp Programme.
- The companies were chosen from more than 1,000 qualified applications.
- The 12-week programme is designed to help businesses strengthen operations and prepare for further growth.
- 60 per cent of the selected businesses are led by women.
- Founders come from five of Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions.
- Participants will receive access to investors, international experts, mentors and strategic partners.
- Eligible companies can access follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund.
- The programme will culminate in a Live Pitch Day, with $50,000 in prizes available to participants.
10 Nigerian Companies Selected
The 2026 Cascador ScaleUp cohort comprises 10 companies with business models addressing critical economic and social challenges across Nigeria.
They are:
1. Venco, a digital platform bringing payments, utilities, communications and operational services for multi-tenanted communities onto one platform.
2. SunFi, a clean-energy company helping drive solar adoption through financing, distribution, installation and management of solar products and services.
3. ColdHubs, which provides solar-powered cold storage solutions designed to help farmers, traders and food businesses reduce post-harvest losses.
4. EHA Clinics, a healthcare company expanding access to primary healthcare through integrated digital, pharmacy and home-care services.
5. Beauty Hut Africa, a technology-enabled beauty commerce company focused on the retail and distribution of local and international beauty products.
6. BEYOND Fitness, which combines fitness, recovery and community to provide wellness services for professionals and teams.
7. Ziba Beach Resort, an experience-driven leisure business seeking to tap into the growth of Nigeria’s domestic tourism market.
8. Tulay Africa, which connects global industrial buyers with African producers to support the supply of export-grade critical minerals.
9. Maanj Agric, which connects smallholder farmers to financing, climate-smart agricultural inputs, storage facilities and markets.
10. Finger Chops, a food manufacturing and distribution company producing and supplying bread to households, retailers and institutions across Nigeria.
Cascador Targets Growth-Stage Businesses
Cascador said the 2026 cohort represents a strategic focus on growth-stage businesses that have demonstrated traction and are positioned for expansion.
The selected companies operate across both technology-driven industries and Nigeria’s wider real economy, with their activities linked to areas such as healthcare access, food security, renewable energy, tourism, manufacturing and job creation.
According to Cascador, the diversity of the companies is expected to create opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, market access and knowledge sharing among the founders.
The cohort also has a significant gender and regional representation, with 60 per cent of the businesses led by women and founders drawn from five of Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions.
Read also:
- USAID Trade Hub Partners With ShEquity To Support Women Entrepreneurs
- Sui Launches SuiHub Lagos To Power Africa’s Booming Blockchain Ecosystem
Investors, Mentors to Support Selected Companies
Under the 2026 ScaleUp Programme, participating companies will receive bespoke one-on-one support from investors, African and international experts, mentors and strategic partners.
The programme will run for 12 weeks, comprising two weeks of in-person sessions and 10 weeks of virtual sessions for founders and their leadership teams.
The in-person component includes the programme kickoff and pitch week, while the virtual sessions will provide continued training, mentorship and strategic support.
Participants will also become eligible for potential follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund.
The fund deploys up to $5 million annually in growth capital through local currency debt, equity and guarantees, in partnership with Sterling Bank.
A Live Pitch Day will also provide participating companies with an opportunity to compete for $50,000 in prizes.
Venco, Finger Chops Welcome Selection
Reacting to the selection, Venco Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Chude Osiegbu, said participation in the programme would help the company accelerate its expansion.
Osiegbu said Venco aims to extend its technology platform to more residential and commercial communities across Africa and provide community managers with more efficient tools.
Similarly, Finger Chops Chief Executive Officer, Adenike Oyebola Fetuga, said the company’s selection would support its ambition to grow from a bakery business into a leading African food manufacturing company.
Fetuga said the company plans to build its growth around quality, locally sourced products and operational excellence.
Cascador Highlights Entrepreneurial Impact
Cascador Chief Executive Officer, Trish Thomas, said the selected founders represent the ambition and resilience of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Thomas said the businesses were already creating jobs, generating economic value and providing products and services in critical sectors of the economy.
She added that the 2026 programme would focus on providing the founders with training, mentorship, networks and leadership capabilities needed to support their next phase of growth.
Cascador Co-Founder, David DeLucia, said the programme was designed around the opportunity to help proven businesses scale sustainably and create lasting economic value.
Cascador’s Growing Nigerian Business Portfolio
Since 2019, Cascador said it has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital.
The organisation also said its alumni delivered essential products and services to more than 1.7 million customers in 2025.
The 2026 ScaleUp cohort is expected to build on that record as the selected companies seek to expand their operations, enter new markets, strengthen their leadership structures and increase their contribution to Nigeria’s economy.
Cascador has also indicated that information on applications for its next cohort will be made available to interested entrepreneurs.
