Nigerian startups secure over ₦4 Billion at Cascador’s pitch day 2025
Cascador’s Pitch Day was held on Wednesday, May 15 2025, at the Radisson Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The annual event witnessed a vibrant gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and development partners. Designed to showcase and accelerate the growth of high-potential, mid-stage Nigerian entrepreneurs, the evening culminated in over ₦4 billion being awarded to nine promising ventures, alongside the launch of a new fund called the “Catalytic Fund” valued at $2 million.
Cascador, since its establishment in 2019, has become a recognised leadership accelerator focused on empowering African entrepreneurs through leadership training, business development support, and access to capital. Now in its sixth year, the programme continues to empower scalable ventures that combine commercial viability with social impact.
Cascador’s pitch day 2025: selection process, a new fund and special prizes
Participation in the annual Pitch Day is by merit, reserved for graduates of the Cascador programme. The finalists underwent an intensive five-month programme designed to refine their operational strategies and enhance their investment readiness. Each one went through a series of processes, submitting in-depth proposals outlining their business models, growth potential, social value, and financial health. The 2025 cohort featured nine ventures led by founders from diverse sectors, including agritech, clean beauty, mobility, retail logistics, and fintech.
This year’s entrepreneurs were: Michael Ogundare (Crop2Cash), Joycee Awosika (Oriki), Omoniyi Salami (N.E.A.T.), Olumide Gbadebo (Adunni Organics), Babatunde Akin-Moses (Sycamore), Chibuke Goodnews (DoChase), Oluwaseyi Adefemi (Drive45), Olufemi Idowu (24SEVEN) and Omowunmi Emmanuel-Ogah (Ex-Care).
In recognition of their outstanding pitches and potential for scale, each business received tailored debt financing. Among the notable disbursements were ₦2 billion to Drive45, ₦1.5 billion to Sycamore, ₦750 million to Oriki, and ₦500 million each to N.E.A.T. and 24SEVEN. Smaller yet significant amounts went to ventures such as Crop2Cash, Adunni Organics, Dochase and Ex-Care, all of which are positioned for growth within their respective industries.
One of the event’s most anticipated announcements was the introduction of Cascador’s Catalytic Fund. Valued at $2 million annually and developed in partnership with Sterling Bank, the fund offers a mix of debt, equity, and asset-backed investments to empower Cascador alumni. The financing is structured to align with each business’s operating rhythm, ensuring flexibility and long-term sustainability. It represents a significant shift in how growth-stage African ventures are financed by offering both capital and a customised approach to scale. The inclusion of blended financing packages signals a strategic shift toward sustainable, long-term financial support for scalable ventures.
According to the organisers, the fund is not merely financial, it is strategic. By addressing the funding constraints faced by African entrepreneurs, the Catalytic Fund seeks to create a continuous effect of innovation, employment, and inclusive growth.
Beyond the investment fund, Cascador awarded three special prizes during the event to further commend innovation and presentation.
- Crop2Cash received the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Innovation Award worth $10,000 in recognition of its excellence in innovation.
- N.E.A.T. was honoured with the DBN Innovation Prize of $5,000, recognising its impact-driven work.
- Oriki, a clean beauty and wellness brand, won a $10,000 award for the best overall pitch of the day.
ALSO READ:Cascador launches $2M Catalytic Fund for mid-stage African Entrepreneurs
Highlights on the Innovators of the day
Nine entrepreneurs were awarded at this year’s Cascador’s pitch day event in recognition of their innovation and impact.
- Drive45, a subscription-based mobility company, received the largest funding of the day—₦2 billion. Its flexible car leasing model appealed to both private professionals and corporate clients, including notable firms like Olam and Eko Electricity Distribution Company. The startup is also exploring integration of electric vehicles into its fleet.
- Sycamore, a digital lending and asset management platform, was launched in 2019 to tackle the persistent credit access challenges faced by individuals and small businesses. From its modest beginnings issuing loans of ₦1.5 million, it has grown into a robust platform with over 300,000 users and has recently gotten a SEC licence to operate as an asset manager. The firm was awarded ₦1.5 billion to accelerate its expansion.
- Oriki, founded by Joycee Awosika, is a clean beauty, luxury wellness company that blends African botanicals with modern science to provide skincare and spa treatment service, solving various skin afflictions. With the ₦50 million it received, the brand is poised to expand its wellness footprints and global product reach.
- N.E.A.T. is on a mission to clean up Nigeria, literally. The green enterprise, led by Omoniyi Salami, converts clean waste into energy. The ₦500 million injected into the company will power expansion into new cities and communities.
- 24SEVEN, a retail logistics company, helps small shops restock on credit and receive goods within an hour. Operating a tech-enabled, asset-light model, it supports over 4,000 retailers and has recorded over $5 million in cumulative sales. It received ₦500 million to grow its reach and enhance its logistics backbone.
- DoChase is helping African brands reach their audience with precision, using AI to maximise digital ad performance. With ₦250 million in new backing, the startup is ready to boost its platform capabilities.
- Ex-Care is a mobile-first platform delivering essential health services to underserved populations. The ₦225 million secured will fund its expansion and rural outreach.
- Crop2Cash is an agritech platform established in 2018, supporting smallholder farmers with access to digital finance, credit facilities, and insurance products. It currently serves over 400,000 users in 15 states and has attracted grants from major development organisations including USAID and JICA. The startup secured ₦100 million in financing at the event.
- Adunni Organics crafts chemical free skincare products from locally sourced ingredients. The ₦100 million allocation will boost production and open up new opportunities for the company.
Cascador’s Pitch Day 2025 not only celebrated entrepreneurship but also reaffirmed the importance of support structures in fuelling business transformation. By combining capital with mentorship and exposure, the initiative continues to play a vital role in creating funding access to African ventures.
Speaking at the close of the event, a Cascador representative noted, “Our role goes beyond funding. We are building a movement of visionary African founders equipped with not just capital, but clarity, community, and confidence. These are the leaders who will shape Africa’s economic future.”
As this year’s edition of Cascador’s pitch day wraps, the real work begins; to continually bring bold ideas to life and prove that with the right mix of guidance and investment, African entrepreneurs can build solutions that resonate far beyond their borders.
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