The Federal Government has launched a new funding initiative for young entrepreneurs, offering grants of up to ₦5 million through the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme, a four-week business support scheme.
The programme is run by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with Cascador and Sapphital, with 20 young founders to be selected for the pilot cohort.
At the end of the four weeks, the eight best-performing founders will qualify for up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding from Cascador. Selected recipients will also get an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution to help strengthen their business operations.
The initiative is targeted at early-stage entrepreneurs, helping them sharpen their business fundamentals, improve investment readiness, and learn how to pitch effectively to investors. Participants will go through training sessions, mentorship, virtual engagements, and a final Pitch Day where their progress will be assessed.
Selection into the 20-member cohort does not guarantee funding — only the top eight performers will be considered, subject to assessment and funding conditions. Applicants must also provide accurate information, as organisers reserve the right to verify details and disqualify anyone found to have submitted false information.
How to apply
Interested entrepreneurs can apply via the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme application portal, where they will need to create a profile, provide personal and business details, and complete the application form before submitting.
Successful applicants will be required to commit fully to the four-week programme, including training, mentorship, and pitch sessions.
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