Tag Archives: Entrepreneurship Award

awards, competition, Events, Opportunities

CASCADOR SCALEUP PROGRAM

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Application Deadline:  June 15 at 5 PM WAT

LOCATION: Nigeria

The Cascador ScaleUp Program is designed for growth-stage founders with proven traction who are ready for the next stage of leadership, strategy, and scale. Through a 12-week experience that combines in-person intensives, virtual learning, expert guidance, and tailored support, founders prepare to apply for $2–5 million annually in debt or equity capital through the Cascador Catalytic Fund.

ELIGIBILITY:

Business Founder or Co-founder

2+ years in operation

$70k+ USD equivalent / ₦100M+ in annual revenue

Based in Nigeria or a Sub-Saharan African country

Committed to participating fully in the program

Things to Know:

Cohort limited to 12 entrepreneurs with virtual participation from 3 executive team members per company

Applications for Cascador ScaleUp 2026 close June 15 at 5 PM WAT

Qualified founders begin with a preliminary application

Semi-finalists will be invited to submit a full application with financial documents by June 29th at 5 PM WAT

Finalists will be interviewed in July

Accepted cohort members will be notified by August 1st

BENEFIT:

A high-impact experience designed to support founders with both practical resources and pathways to growth.

12-Week Experience: In-person and virtual learning designed for growth-stage founders.

Travel Covered: Travel, lodging, and meals included for in-person sessions.

$5,000 Stipend: Personal development support for each participating founder.

$50,000 in Prizes: Pitch Day awards to recognize standout founders.

Catalytic Fund Eligibility: Eligibility to apply for the Cascador Catalytic Fund, which deploys $2–5M USD annually

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awards, competition, Events, Opportunities

FINCA VENTURES PRIZE COMPETITION

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Application Deadline:  April 10, 2026

LOCATION: USA

The FINCA Ventures Prize Competition supports rising African entrepreneurs with bold visions, disruptive business models, or new products or technologies that can create meaningful impact for poor and low-income people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hosted by FINCA Ventures annually since 2024, the Prize Competition is a “shark tank” style event where entrepreneurs compete for the opportunity to be awarded grant funding of up to $100,000 to further develop their social enterprises. This event brings together early-stage companies and visionary leaders, donors and investors who are passionate about entrepreneurship.

ELIGIBILITY:

Companies must:

Have at least one African founder

Be a for-profit organization

Be post-revenue (generating revenue)

Be operational for no more than five years

Be operational in Sub-Saharan Africa

Address issues in Fintech for Financial Inclusion or Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

To win a grant award, participants must be willing to travel to San Francisco (with costs covered by FINCA) to present in front of a panel of judges and attend the awards ceremony and reception.

There is no cost to participate in the competition. For applicants invited to pitch at the events in San Francisco.

Applicants must create an account and answer all the questions posed in this application form available at https://fincaventures.awardsplatform.com/. Submissions must be complete before the application deadline on April 10, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by June 2026. 

The entries will be judged according to the following criteria:

Strength of Entrepreneur & Team

Innovativeness of Solution

Social & Environmental Impact

Market Traction and Financial Sustainability

Strategy for Growth

BENEFIT:

In each category, finalists will receive grant awards of up to $100,000 (depending on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place).

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