Cascador has selected 10 Nigerian companies for its 2026 ScaleUp Programme, giving growth-stage businesses across key sectors access to leadership support, expert mentorship, strategic networks and potential growth capital.
The 12-week programme is designed to help businesses that have already established themselves strengthen their operations and prepare for expansion. With more than 1,000 applications received, the selection brings together companies working in property technology, clean energy, agriculture, healthcare, beauty, fitness, tourism, critical minerals and food production.
The initiative comes at a time when many African businesses have demonstrated that they can build products and find customers but still face challenges when trying to move from operating businesses to larger, more structured companies. By focusing on strategy, finance, operations, technology, legal structures and leadership, Cascador’s programme aims to address some of the issues that can prevent promising businesses from scaling.
“The next chapter of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial story will be about what happens when proven businesses get the support they need to scale,” said David DeLucia, Co-Founder of Cascador. “That is the opportunity this cohort brings, where visionaries, innovators and impact-driven leaders can grow their businesses sustainably with lasting economic value.”
The 2026 cohort also follows Cascador’s recent partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD), through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), to launch a programme supporting young entrepreneurs in building stronger businesses.
Ten companies tackling major opportunities across Nigeria
Venco, led by Chude Osiegbu, is bringing technology into estate and property management through a platform that helps facility managers manage multi-tenanted communities more efficiently and safely. Its tools cover bill collection, visitor management, utilities vending and revenue assurance, while residents can pay bills, book visitors, report issues and access communal services through the platform. As property managers and residents increasingly look for more efficient ways to manage communities, Venco’s participation in the programme provides an opportunity to strengthen its systems and expand its reach.
SunFi, led by Rotimi Thomas, is focused on one of Nigeria’s most important business and household needs: access to reliable energy. The clean energy fintech connects people looking for solar power with payment plans that match their needs and works with qualified third-party installers to make access easier and faster. By strengthening its financing model, operations and customer reach, SunFi can help more households and businesses move towards solar energy without having to carry the full upfront cost.
ColdHubs, led by Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, is tackling food waste through solar-powered cold storage. The social enterprise designs, installs and operates 3-ton, 10-ton and 100-ton walk-in cold rooms in farm clusters, fresh produce aggregation centres and outdoor food markets. Farmers, retailers and wholesalers can use the facilities 24/7 to preserve fruits, vegetables and other perishables, extending their shelf life from two days to as much as 21 days. ColdHubs is also expanding into refrigerated transportation, an end-to-end cold chain and returnable plastic crates. Its wider goal is to address food spoilage affecting an estimated 470 million smallholder farmers globally because of limited access to reliable cold storage.
EHA Clinics, led by Ifunanya Ilodibe, is building a more accessible healthcare model by combining physical healthcare with digital services, pharmacy and home care. Its network gives members access to routine medical care, laboratory services, pharmacy, optometry, dental care, urgent care and specialist services. Services are available 24/7 through its locations, telehealth visits and home-care offering. Its mission is clear: “We are on a mission to deliver quality health care that is accessible, effective, and affordable.” The ScaleUp Programme can help EHA Clinics strengthen the systems needed to expand that mission to more patients.
Beauty Hut Africa, led by Subuola Oyeleye, is using technology to improve access to highly sought-after beauty products across Africa. The company operates as a technology-enabled beauty retail and distribution business, addressing the growing demand for quality beauty products while building more efficient ways of getting them to customers. Its inclusion in the cohort reflects the potential within Africa’s growing beauty and consumer markets.
BEYOND Fitness, led by Simi Williams, is focused on changing how fitness and wellness are experienced in Africa. The company provides personalised fitness solutions for individuals and corporations and serves CEOs, business leaders and global citizens. “BEYOND Fitness is redefining Africa’s fitness landscape with innovative and immersive workout experiences that build resilience and reconnect individuals with their best selves.” Its corporate health initiatives also give businesses a way to invest in employee wellness, creating opportunities for growth beyond individual fitness services.
Ziba Beach Resort, led by Tricia Olumide, is bringing an experience-led approach to Nigeria’s tourism industry. The resort offers overwater accommodation built around a large pool designed to recreate an ocean setting, giving families and other visitors a luxury getaway without requiring international travel. Its model supports domestic tourism by creating a destination for customers who want a high-end leisure experience within Nigeria. Scaling the business could also contribute to jobs and wider activity across the local tourism value chain.
Tulay Africa, led by Omokhafe Dirisu, is connecting African producers with global industrial buyers looking for export-grade critical minerals. The company uses expertise, technology and local knowledge to streamline raw material supply chains and connect African businesses to international opportunities. With critical minerals playing an increasingly important role in global industries, strengthening connections between African producers and international buyers could create new markets and improve the continent’s participation in global supply chains.
Maanj Agric, led by Salome Daniel, is working to improve agricultural market systems by connecting smallholder farmers to financing while addressing production, storage and distribution challenges. Founded in 2022, the company focuses on creating stronger links between producers and markets to support more consistent food availability. Its approach brings financing, production and market access together, areas that remain important to the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Finger Chops, led by Adenike Fetuga, has grown from a food processing and catering business into a full-scale bakery operation. Established in 2009 and incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission, the company produces bread for individuals, businesses and institutions across Warri and neighbouring states in the Niger Delta. It has invested in mechanised equipment, skilled personnel and quality ingredients to maintain its production standards. Its long-term ambition is to become one of Africa’s leading food manufacturing companies by producing quality and nutritious products from locally sourced agricultural commodities while competing globally.
Building stronger businesses beyond the programme
The selected companies will complete two weeks of in-person sessions followed by 10 weeks of virtual sessions for founders and their leadership teams. The programme will include a kickoff and pitch week, alongside one-on-one support from investors, African and international experts and strategic partners.
“The founders in our 2026 ScaleUp program reflect the ambition, resilience and entrepreneurial talent driving Nigeria’s economy forward,” said Trish Thomas, chief executive officer of Cascador. “Their businesses are already creating jobs, generating value and spurring growth across some of the country’s most important sectors. Our focus now is helping them scale further and unlock their full potential, giving them the training, mentorship, networks and leadership skills needed to power their next phase of growth.”
Over the 12 weeks, each company will undergo detailed assessments covering finance, operations, legal and technology. This will allow the programme to identify specific gaps that could limit growth and develop support around the needs of each business rather than applying a standard approach to every company.
The founders will also gain access to Cascador’s network of advisors, venture capital firms, strategic partners and banking relationships. By the end of the programme, they are expected to have stronger operating models, clearer customer focus and better preparation for the demands of expansion.
Capital is another important part of the opportunity. Selected companies will be eligible for follow-on funding through Cascador’s Catalytic Fund, which deploys up to $5 million annually in growth capital through local-currency debt, equity and guarantees. The programme will conclude with a live Pitch Day, where participants will compete for $50,000 in awards.
Since launching operations in 2019, Cascador has supported more than 70 ventures that have collectively raised $125 million in capital. Previous cohorts have included digital lending platform Sycamore, energy company Koolboks, mobility and logistics businesses Fex Delivery and Drive45 Mobility, and payments infrastructure provider Lenco.
The 2026 cohort now gives another group of Nigerian businesses the opportunity to strengthen their foundations before taking on a larger market. For companies already creating jobs, serving customers and solving practical problems, access to the right expertise, networks and capital can make the difference between maintaining growth and building businesses capable of operating at a much larger scale.
Cascador plans to run another ScaleUp cohort in spring 2027, with applications expected to open in November 2026.
