Cascador Backs 10 High-Growth Nigerian Startups

In a move to accelerate the expansion of promising businesses, Cascador—a platform focused on empowering entrepreneurs across Nigeria—has selected ten companies for its 2026 ScaleUp Program. This cohort represents an elite class of ventures addressing critical needs in healthcare, food security, clean energy, and job creation.

The ten startups chosen from over a thousand applications include:

  • Venco: A digital platform integrating payments, utilities, communications, and operations for communities
  • SunFi: Enabling solar adoption through financing, distribution, installation, and management services
  • ColdHubs: Providing solar-powered cold storage to reduce post-harvest losses for farmers and food businesses
  • EHA Clinics: Expanding healthcare access with integrated digital, pharmacy, and home-care solutions
  • Beauty Hut Africa: Building a tech-enabled beauty commerce infrastructure
  • BEYOND Fitness: Creating premium wellness experiences combining fitness, recovery, and community
  • Ziba Beach Resort: Developing leisure destinations to unlock Nigeria’s domestic tourism potential
  • Tulay Africa: Connecting industrial buyers with African producers of critical minerals
  • Maanj Agric: Linking smallholder farmers to financing, inputs, storage, and markets
  • Finger Chops: Producing and distributing high-quality bread at scale

“We’re proud to be part of Cascador’s program,” said Chude Osiegbu, CEO of Venco. “The mentorship and resources will help us transform how communities operate across Africa as we expand our secure technology platform.”

Program Benefits & Investment

The 2026 ScaleUp Program offers:

  • Bespoke support from investors, experts, and strategic partners
  • Eligibility for follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund (up to $5 million annually)
  • A comprehensive curriculum with in-person sessions and virtual mentorship
  • Live Pitch Day with prizes totaling $50,000 USD

With 60% of this year’s cohort led by women and representing diverse regions across Nigeria, Cascador continues its commitment to building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program aims to equip these founders with the leadership skills and networks needed to power their next phase of growth.

Since launching in 2019, Cascador has supported 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital, impacting over 1.7 million customers in 2025 alone.