Cascador, the premier accelerator for high-growth African ventures, has officially opened applications for its 2026 ScaleUp programme. The announcement marks a significant strategic pivot for the organisation, as it expands its geographical footprint beyond Nigeria for the first time, welcoming founders from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Since its inception in 2019, Cascador has established itself as a powerhouse in the African tech and “real economy” sectors. With the 2026 cohort, the programme is doubling down on its mission to support “growth-stage” founders who have moved past the initial startup phase and are now navigating the complex hurdles of responsible scaling.
The 2026 launch comes on the heels of record-breaking performance metrics from previous years.
The organisation’s focus on sustainable growth over “blitzscaling” appears to be paying dividends, as evidenced by data showing that Cascador’s 70 alumni ventures have collectively raised over $125 million in capital. These businesses have had a significant socioeconomic impact, creating more than 67,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2025 alone. Furthermore, they have served 1.7 million customers, primarily for essential goods and services. Most impressively, the cohort has maintained an average revenue growth rate of 96%, with 94% of alumni reporting that they are either profitable or have more than 6 months of operational runway.
“At Cascador, we de-risk founders, crowd in capital, and strengthen entrepreneurial leadership,” the organisation stated. “We are particularly focused on founders building real-economy businesses… creating meaningful jobs at scale.”
In a move to bolster its internal operations ahead of the Sub-Saharan expansion, Cascador has appointed Oyin Solebo as its new Chief Operating Officer. Solebo, a veteran of the ecosystem with a background at Techstars and Goldman Sachs, brings a wealth of experience in capital strategy and operational leadership. Her appointment is seen as a key step in helping the program bridge the gap between African founders and global institutional investors.
What the 2026 Programme Offers
The ScaleUp 2026 curriculum is designed to move beyond basic business fundamentals, focusing instead on Leadership Transformation and Catalytic Capital Pathways. The program targets founders who have already achieved product-market fit and are preparing to take on significant growth capital.
The Application Process
In a nod to the busy schedules of active CEOs, Cascador has introduced a streamlined, two-tier application process. The journey begins with a preliminary stage consisting of a 15-minute short-form application. Following this, high-potential candidates are invited to a full application stage, which involves a deep-dive assessment of their venture.
To support prospective applicants, Cascador will host a series of Open House sessions in Abuja and Lagos. These events are designed to provide a “behind-the-scenes” look at the ScaleUp experience and offer guidance on how to build a competitive application.
For growth-stage founders across Sub-Saharan Africa who are ready to transition from local success to regional impact, the Cascador 2026 window is now officially open.
