Young Nigerian entrepreneurs will soon have the opportunity to access up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding through the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme, an initiative aimed at helping early-stage founders strengthen their businesses, become investment-ready and scale.

The programme is being delivered through a partnership between the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and Cascador.

Selected participants will undergo an intensive four-week programme focused on key areas required to build and grow sustainable businesses. The programme will cover business fundamentals, investment readiness, pitch preparation, one-on-one mentorship, as well as business growth and management support.

At the conclusion of the programme, top-performing founders will be eligible to receive up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador.

Participants will also receive an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution designed to help them structure, manage and scale their businesses.

The programme is targeted at young Nigerian entrepreneurs and early-stage founders seeking to strengthen their businesses, improve their investment readiness and gain access to funding opportunities.

However, the ₦5 million funding is not guaranteed for every participant. The funding will be awarded only to selected top-performing founders at the end of the programme.

Applications for the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme will officially open on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Interested entrepreneurs are expected to visit the official Nigerian Youth Academy website once applications open and locate the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme application.

Applicants should then review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines before completing the form with accurate information about themselves and their businesses. They will also be required to provide the requested business and entrepreneurial information and submit their applications before the stated deadline.

The application portal is expected to open on August 19, 2026. Prospective applicants are therefore advised to monitor the official platform for the application form, eligibility criteria and application deadline.

Beyond the funding opportunity, the programme is designed to provide selected founders with structured training, mentorship and business tools to support their transition from business ideas and early-stage ventures to investment-ready and sustainable businesses.

Source: MSME Africa Online