By Kingsley Samuel
Nigeria-based ScaleUp platform, Cascador, has appointed Oyin Solebo as its Chief Operating Officer, COO, in a move aimed at strengthening its capacity to support high-growth, impact-driven businesses across Africa.
The appointment comes as Cascador deepens its focus on helping growth-stage companies transition from early traction to sustainable scale, while also preparing for its 2026 ScaleUp programme cycle.
Solebo brings extensive experience spanning venture building, startup acceleration, and investment across the African ecosystem. She previously served as Managing Director of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator, where she led investments and supported high-growth startups across multiple sectors.
Speaking on the appointment, Chief Executive Officer of Cascador, Trish Thomas, described Solebo as a key addition to the organisation’s next phase of growth.
“Oyin is a force multiplier. She understands what it takes to build and run organisations that endure. As we expand our focus from developing founders to scaling companies, her operational expertise will be instrumental in helping us deliver on that vision,” she said.
Cascador’s ScaleUp programme is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the leadership skills, strategic clarity, and access to capital required to grow sustainable businesses. The platform targets founders with proven traction and the capacity to deploy significant investment to drive expansion and job creation.
In her new role, Solebo will focus on strengthening operational systems, optimising programme delivery, and deepening support for Cascador’s growing alumni network. She will also play a key role in advancing the platform’s Catalytic Fund, which deploys between $2 million and $5 million annually to high-performing alumni ventures.
Commenting on her appointment, Solebo said the next phase of growth for African startups will depend on building stronger systems and improving execution.
“In Africa, we don’t have a shortage of founders; we have a shortage of companies that successfully scale. The difference lies in systems, discipline, and the ability to deploy capital effectively,” she said.
“Cascador has built a strong foundation by investing in people. The opportunity now is to extend that into building stronger companies that can absorb capital, institutionalise operations, and grow sustainably.”
Founder of Cascador, Dave DeLucia, also noted that the appointment reinforces the organisation’s commitment to translating entrepreneurial potential into measurable impact.
“With Oyin, we are strengthening our ability to ensure that the deployment of capital translates into scaled, enduring businesses. She brings the operational discipline and ecosystem insight needed to take us to the next level,” he said.
Cascador, which has supported more than 70 entrepreneurs since 2019, said its model is focused on backing founders capable of translating knowledge into execution and capital into long-term economic and social value.
The organisation added that Solebo’s appointment marks a strategic shift toward building a more structured platform that combines leadership development, access to funding, and operational support to drive business growth across the continent.
