Cascador deepens Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem

Cascador Accelerator: Fueling Impactful Entrepreneurship Across africa

Cascador, a leading accelerator program dedicated too empowering mid-stage African entrepreneurs, recently held its impactful Alumni meeting in Ikeja. The event underscored its mission to foster entrepreneurship that not only drives commercial success but also creates meaningful social change across the continent.

Founded in 2019, Cascador goes beyond traditional funding models; it equips entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to scale thier ventures and maximize their impact. “Impact can come in a variety of forms,” explains Cascador Founder Dave DeLucia. “Social impact, job creation, innovative solutions to problems, or providing opportunities for women, the poor, or disadvantaged communities to advance.” Cascador believes in empowering entrepreneurs who are tackling these challenges through profitable ventures, rather than relying on grants or NGOs.

“By developing leadership skills, financial acumen, connections, sources of capital, and other resources, we turbocharge their companies and make their impact possible,” DeLucia emphasizes. He stresses the importance of cultivating a spirit of humility,philanthropy,and community amongst Cascador’s entrepreneurs,inspiring them to become leaders who give back to their communities for years to come.

Trish thomas, Director of Cascador, reflects on the evolution of the program.“Our cohort members today have a much more expansive learning experience than our early Cascadors,” she states. “A practical example of this betterment to our curriculum and timeline is that Founders now have time to take their education back to their team and apply it in their real-world operating habitat.”

Cascador’s commitment to supporting its Nigerian entrepreneurs is evident in its recent initiative to provide personal growth stipends and prizes to the 2024 cohort.“It’s very arduous to be an entrepreneur in Nigeria today,” Thomas acknowledges. “Lending standards are tough, inflation is high, FX is very unfavorable, and there isn’t a lot of outside capital flowing in.”

Recognizing these challenges,Cascador stepped in,offering a $5,000 USD stipend to each member,encouraging them to invest in their personal and professional growth. This demonstrates a deep understanding of the unique hurdles faced by african entrepreneurs and a commitment to providing tangible support to help them overcome them.

Cascador Program: Amplifying impact for African Entrepreneurs

The Cascador Program, a leading initiative focused on empowering African entrepreneurs, is gearing up for a transformative expansion in 2025. This program, renowned for providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and strategic guidance to mid-stage African businesses, will benefit from increased funding and the addition of dedicated staff.

“we’re passionate about supporting entrepreneurs who demonstrate intelligence, ambition, a clear mission, and operate prosperous ventures in a challenging buisness landscape,” shares a program leader, emphasizing the dedication and resilience of the entrepreneurs they support.

This expansion underscores a growing commitment to nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. “Our faculty is deeply committed to creating a better world and inspiring the business leaders of tomorrow. It’s an honor to share our expertise, wisdom, connections, and capital with dedicated founders who are driven to solve problems, make a positive impact, and achieve considerable growth,” the leader continues. Adding, “Our faculty and mentors hope that our example will contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria, fostering a spirit of collaboration and giving back that ultimately lifts the entire economy and society.”

Cascador provides a unique platform for African entrepreneurs to connect with experienced American and Nigerian business leaders. Participants gain invaluable guidance on scaling their businesses, refining their strategies, and expanding their networks.

A notable addition in 2025 will be direct investment in alumni businesses. “Starting in 2025, we’ll be investing important capital in our alumni ventures, providing them with the resources to fuel growth and expansion,” announces the leader. This commitment signifies Cascador’s dedication to supporting the long-term success of its graduates.

Along with financial backing, the program will enhance educational resources, networking opportunities, and ongoing mentorship, ensuring the sustained growth of its alumni. The Cascador team is meticulously finalizing its capital plan, with a formal declaration expected soon.

Empowering African Innovation: An Interview with Trish Thomas of Cascador

The Cascador Accelerator recently hosted its Alumni meeting in Ikeja, underscoring their commitment to fostering impactful entrepreneurship across Africa. Archyde News sat down with Trish Thomas,Director of Cascador,to discuss the program’s goals,growth,and dedication to empowering african entrepreneurs.

A Conversation with Trish Thomas

Trish thomas, with her passion for African innovation, unveiled Cascador’s vision. “Our mission is to empower mid-stage African entrepreneurs to build businesses that not only thrive commercially but also generate positive social impact,” she explained. “we believe entrepreneurs have a unique ability to tackle africa’s most pressing challenges and we strive to provide them with the tools, resources, and connections necessary for success.”

This commitment to both commercial success and social impact sets Cascador apart. “In Africa, innovative business solutions are often crucial for addressing societal issues,” Thomas emphasized. “We see immense potential in entrepreneurs who are developing businesses that tackle problems like education, healthcare, access to finance, and sustainable advancement. By supporting these ventures,we aim to drive positive change and build a more equitable future for Africa.”

As its launch in 2019, Cascador has undergone significant evolution. “We’ve made meaningful strides in refining our curriculum and approach,” Thomas shared. The program now includes a dedicated three-week customer research project, ensuring entrepreneurs tailor their solutions to meet real market needs. “We’ve also placed a stronger emphasis on mentorship and alumni engagement to provide ongoing support and foster a thriving community.”

Looking ahead, Cascador plans to further invest in its alumni network. “We’re working on some exciting initiatives to provide even greater support to our alumni beyond the completion of the program,” Thomas revealed.”These include increased engagement, educational opportunities, and financial resources through loans and investments, thanks to a significant funding infusion into our Foundation. we will be sharing more details about these initiatives soon, but I can confidently say that our alumni will have access to unbelievable opportunities in the future.”

For those interested in learning more about Cascador and exploring partnership or sponsorship opportunities, a wealth of information is available at https://www.cascador.org/.

Cascador: Empowering African Entrepreneurs

The world of entrepreneurship is bustling with innovation, and Africa is no exception. Cascador, a prominent program championing African entrepreneurs, is dedicated to nurturing and supporting these budding business leaders long after they’ve completed its rigorous program.Cascador’s commitment extends far beyond the initial training phase. As Trish Thomas, a key figure at Cascador, emphasizes, “We recognize that the journey of an entrepreneur is ongoing.” The program is actively expanding its alumni network, offering a wealth of resources including educational materials, valuable networking opportunities, and continued mentorship.

Looking towards the future, Cascador is poised to make an even greater impact by launching direct investment in alumni businesses in 2025. This strategic move signifies a tangible commitment to helping entrepreneurs scale their ventures and realize their full potential.

One of the most significant hurdles faced by African entrepreneurs today is securing funding. Thomas acknowledges this challenge, stating, “One of the most significant challenges is accessing funding. it can be incredibly arduous for African entrepreneurs to secure the capital they need to grow their businesses.”

Cascador is uniquely positioned to address this critical need. By providing not only mentorship and connections but also direct investment opportunities, cascador aims to bridge the funding gap and empower African entrepreneurs to thrive.

Cascador’s aspirations for the future of African entrepreneurship are nothing short of transformative. The program envisions itself as a leading force in building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across the continent. Thomas shares their ambitious vision: “We want to see more African-led businesses competing on a global stage. We want to see a generation of entrepreneurs who are not afraid to dream big and take risks, who are passionate about making a difference, and who are committed to creating a more equitable and prosperous future for all Africans.”

How does Cascador’s approach to mentorship and alumni engagement differ from other accelerator programs, and what specific benefits does this create for African entrepreneurs?

Empowering African Innovation: An Interview with Trish Thomas of Cascador

The Cascador Accelerator recently hosted its Alumni meeting in Ikeja, underscoring their commitment to fostering impactful entrepreneurship across Africa. Archyde News sat down with Trish Thomas, Director of Cascador, to discuss the program’s goals, growth, and dedication to empowering African entrepreneurs.

A Conversation with Trish Thomas

Trish Thomas, with her passion for African innovation, unveiled Cascador’s vision.

“Our mission is to empower mid-stage African entrepreneurs to build businesses that not only thrive commercially but also generate positive social impact,” she explained. “we believe entrepreneurs have a unique ability to tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges and we strive to provide them with the tools, resources, and connections necessary for success.”

This commitment to both commercial success and social impact sets Cascador apart.

“In Africa, innovative business solutions are often crucial for addressing societal issues,” Thomas emphasized. “We see immense potential in entrepreneurs who are developing businesses that tackle problems like education, healthcare, access to finance, and sustainable advancement. By supporting these ventures,we aim to drive positive change and build a more equitable future for Africa.”

As Cascador’s journey as its launch in 2019, the program has undergone notable evolution. “We’ve made meaningful strides in refining our curriculum and approach,” Thomas shared. The program now includes a dedicated three-week customer research project, ensuring entrepreneurs tailor their solutions to meet real market needs. “We’ve also placed a stronger emphasis on mentorship and alumni engagement to provide ongoing support and foster a thriving community.”

Looking ahead, Cascador plans to further invest in its alumni network.

“We’re working on some exciting initiatives to provide even greater support to our alumni beyond the completion of the program,” Thomas revealed.”These include increased engagement, educational opportunities, and financial resources through loans and investments, thanks to a significant funding infusion into our Foundation.We will be sharing more details about these initiatives soon, but I can confidently say that our alumni will have access to amazing opportunities in the future.”

Considering the unique challenges faced by African entrepreneurs, what makes Cascador’s approach distinct in supporting their growth and success?