Cascador Pitch Day 2026 delivered more than funding to seven Nigerian businesses. The initiative provided a significant boost to entrepreneurs building solutions in sectors that directly affect millions of people, including agriculture, healthcare, clean energy, artificial intelligence, data intelligence, refrigeration and clean cooking.
A total of ₦7.7 billion (approximately US$5.7 million) in catalytic funding and $20,000 in prizes was awarded during the event, highlighting growing confidence in local entrepreneurs who are addressing some of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges. The funding is expected to help these companies expand their operations, reach more communities and create wider economic impact across the country.
The winners demonstrated how innovation can be used to solve practical problems, from improving healthcare access and supporting farmers to expanding clean energy and strengthening digital infrastructure. The event also reinforced a growing belief that Nigerian entrepreneurs are building solutions capable of transforming industries while attracting significant local investment.
Investment Targeted at Solving Real Problems
The largest funding award of the day went to Agriarche, founded by Deina Mayaki, which secured ₦2.5 billion (approximately US$1.82 million) in catalytic funding. Through its digital platform, Kasuwa, the company connects smallholder farmers, aggregation hubs and industrial buyers while providing market intelligence, weather forecasting and demand analytics. The platform currently serves more than 12,000 farmers and 3,050 aggregators and has facilitated over 50,000 tonnes of commodity trade valued at more than $12 million. The investment is expected to strengthen agricultural supply chains and improve market access for farmers across Nigeria.
Koolboks, led by Deborah Gael, emerged as one of the standout winners of the evening. The company secured ₦2 billion (approximately US$1.46 million) in catalytic funding and also won the Cascador Best Pitch Prize worth $10,000. Koolboks develops solar-powered refrigeration systems for off-grid communities, helping address a major infrastructure gap across sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated 700 million people still lack access to refrigeration. With more than 15,000 units deployed across 25 countries, the company has developed a pay-as-you-go model that makes cooling solutions more accessible. The judges recognised both the impact and scalability of the business, which generated $5 million in revenue and projects growth to $25 million by 2030.
Another major winner was Powerstove, founded by Okey Esse, which received ₦1.8 billion (approximately US$1.31 million) in catalytic funding. The company is addressing the challenge faced by hundreds of millions of African households that still rely on charcoal, firewood and kerosene for cooking. Powerstove’s smokeless biomass stove generates electricity while cooking, reduces harmful emissions and allows users to monitor cooking through a mobile application. The company has sold more than 100,000 products and positively impacted over 500,000 households across 30 Nigerian states. The new funding will support efforts to expand access to cleaner and healthier cooking solutions.
In the energy sector, First Electric, founded by Daniel Komolafe, secured ₦500 million (approximately US$364 thousand) in catalytic funding. The company develops solar power plants, mini-grids and pay-as-you-go energy systems designed to improve electricity access. Its projects have already benefited more than 28,000 people and delivered nearly 1.8 megawatts of installed solar capacity. First Electric has also built solar plants for federal universities and teaching hospitals and plans to connect 75,000 additional people through a partnership involving Okra and the Rural Electrification Agency.
Building the Infrastructure for Nigeria’s Future
Reliable information remains critical for business and investment decisions, and Stears, led by Preston Ideh, received US$450,000 in catalytic funding to expand its work across Africa. Founded in 2017, the company has evolved from a financial news platform into a leading data and intelligence business providing subscription-based data collection tools and insights for investors, businesses and policymakers. By improving access to trusted information, Stears is helping organisations make better decisions across the continent.
Artificial intelligence was also recognised as a key growth sector. Indigenius AI, founded by Olayinka Iyinolakan, secured US$250 thousand in catalytic funding and won the NSIA Innovation Prize, receiving a $10,000 award from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. The company has developed voice AI technology designed specifically for African languages, helping businesses improve customer service experiences. Its platform can interact with users in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Pidgin and other languages, reducing the customer frustration associated with long wait times and unresolved calls. The company has grown rapidly, increasing annual recurring revenue from approximately $1 million to between $6 million and $8 million within a year, demonstrating strong demand for locally developed AI solutions.
Healthcare innovation was represented by Fortics, founded by Femi Oyewole, which secured ₦200 million (approximately US$146 thousand) in catalytic funding. The company delivers technology-driven healthcare solutions through data systems, insurance products and financial services. What began in Ibadan with an initial investment of ₦5 million has grown into a healthcare network generating more than half a billion naira in revenue and serving over 28,000 patients across hospitals and pharmacies in Ibadan and Lagos. At a time when Nigeria’s healthcare sector faces significant challenges, the funding will support efforts to improve access and strengthen healthcare delivery.
The investments made during Cascador Pitch Day 2026 reflect a broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are creating measurable impact. Rather than waiting for outside solutions, these founders are building businesses that address local challenges while creating opportunities for growth.
