The annual event, held in Lagos on June 3, brought together investors, business leaders, development partners and alumni of the Cascador entrepreneurship program to identify and support founders building scalable businesses with measurable social and economic impact.

Cascador Pitch Day serves as the final stage of the organisation’s ScaleUp Programme, where selected entrepreneurs compete for funding from the Cascador Catalytic Fund.

The fund provides tailored financing through a combination of debt, equity and collateral-backed investments.

According to Cascador, the initiative deploys up to USD 5 million annually in partnership with Sterling Bank to help growth-stage businesses expand their operations.

The largest funding allocation went to Agriarche, an agribusiness founded by Deina Mayaki, which secured approximately USD 1.6 million.

The company focuses on improving transparency, efficiency and coordination across agricultural value chains.

The investment comes at a time when agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s biggest employers but continues to face challenges linked to fragmented markets, limited financing and supply chain inefficiencies.

Solar refrigeration company Koolboks also emerged among the day’s top beneficiaries, securing about USD 1.3 million in catalytic funding.

The company develops solar-powered cooling systems designed to address the challenges posed by unreliable electricity supply, particularly for small businesses, healthcare facilities and food distribution networks.

Founder Deborah Gael additionally received the Best Pitch Award, accompanied by a USD 10,000 cash prize.

Powerstove, founded by Okey Esse, was awarded approximately USD 1.2 million to support its clean cooking and energy solutions.

The company develops technologies aimed at reducing dependence on traditional cooking fuels, an issue that affects public health, household incomes and environmental sustainability across Africa.

Esse also received the Best Impact Prize, which included a USD 20,000 award in recognition of the company’s contribution to improving access to cleaner cooking technologies.

Data and intelligence platform Stears secured USD 450,000 in funding. The Lagos-based company provides economic, financial and market intelligence products that support decision-making by businesses, investors and policymakers operating across Africa.

In the clean mobility sector, First Electric received approximately USD 320,000 to advance its electric transport and energy solutions.

Founded by Daniel Komolafe, the company operates within a sector that is attracting increased attention as African countries seek cleaner and more efficient transportation alternatives.

Healthcare technology company Fortics was awarded about USD 128,000 to support the expansion of its healthcare delivery network. The company is focused on improving access to quality healthcare services, an area that continues to face significant gaps across Nigeria.

Artificial intelligence startup Indigenius AI secured USD 250,000 in catalytic funding. Founder Yinka Iyinolakan also received the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Innovation Prize, which included a USD 10,000 award recognising innovation and growth potential.

The 2026 winners reflect a broader trend in African entrepreneurship, in which investors are increasingly backing businesses that address structural challenges in sectors critical to economic development.

Agriculture, energy, healthcare, mobility, data infrastructure and artificial intelligence have emerged as priority areas for investment as governments and private sector players seek solutions that can scale across large and underserved markets.

The event also highlights an evolving funding landscape across Africa. While venture capital investment in the continent has become more selective in recent years, there is growing recognition that established businesses with proven business models often require patient capital, operational support and strategic guidance to achieve sustainable growth.

Through its 12-week ScaleUp Programme and Catalytic Fund, Cascador is positioning itself as a platform focused on supporting entrepreneurs who have moved beyond the startup phase and are ready to build larger, more resilient businesses capable of delivering long-term economic and social impact.