CanopyBoulder Cannabis Business Podcast

This is an oldie but, oh.. so good! We're giving you a re-run of one of the panels in our last Jumpstart Conference, where industry operators talk about what its like to work in the space and give entrepreneurs ideas on where to focus. In this episode you'll hear from Nancy Whiteman of Wana Brands, Ryan Brown of Native Roots and Graham Carlson of CW Hemp - all moderated by CanopyBoulder's own Patrick Rea. They'll talk about things like listening to their customers, regulatory hurdles, challenges and how entrepreneurs can best get in front of folks like them. And if you LIKE this content, be sure to join us next week, July 25, in Denver, CO for our Summer 2019 Jumpstart Conference. Go get those tickets... like, now! http://bit.ly/CB-Jumpstart-2019

Ever wondered what the perfect cannabis product was for you? You know.. the one that'll make you feel like you did when you first started smoking and couldn't stop the giggles...? Yeah, us too. This week, we're chatting with Bob Chien, CEO & founder of Marigen, a service that uses your specific DNA to made product recommendations. We're chatting with him about all the science behind cannabis and how our bodies interact with it, what it takes to get a business off the ground and his best advice to startups. To learn more about Marigen, visit them at marigen.us

What do you know about logistics?... wait, don't fall asleep! Delivery and logistics are one of those areas we so often overlook. And yet, in a highly regulated industry like cannabis, are hugely important. This week, we're talking with Tim Ruybal, CEO & founder of Dyspense Technologies on what delivery, tracking and distribution looks like in the industry. He also digs into the importance of listening to your customer, how to manage multiple segments and the evolution of an industry. Learn more about Tim and Dyspense at Dyspense.com

How important is loyalty in the cannabis industry? This week, we're talking with Rami Sahhar, CEO of CliqueMJ and current CanopyBoulder cohort member, about whats going on in the industry in terms of advertising and maintaining customers. He goes into the importance of loyalty, how retail businesses can leverage it and what its like starting a tech company in this nascent industry. Learn more about CliqueMJ at cliquemj.com.

When people say “cannabis industry”, often the first thought is into retailers, edible brands and large cultivation operations. But what about the picks and shovels that support those businesses? (After all, I bet you don’t know a single gold miner's name but you’ve definitely heard of Levi’s Jeans…). This week, we’re chatting with CFO of Urban-Gro, Bob Pullar. Urban-Gro offers cultivators holistic environmental solutions but, more importantly, they are a fast-growing picks and shovels business. In this episode, we chat with Bob about what it takes to grow a fast growing ancillary cannabis business, what the trends look like in AgTech and his predictions for the future. Check it out. Learn more about Urban-Gro at urban-gro.com.

The world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) presents a whole new set of obstacles, challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs. And since the Farm Bill passed back in December, plenty are getting in on the CBD and hemp CPG game. This week, we're talking with one of those new brands - Backyard Sodas, an all-natural, CBD infused soda. CEO & founder, Jonathan Schultz, talks to us a little about soda, natural products, emerging hemp/CBD opportunities, what its like running a CPG company and more. Learn more about Backyard Soda at backyardsodas.com

We're back at it.. trying desperately to make sense of the legal (???) hemp and CBD markets. We know, it's confusing. What with the FDA and DEA and Farm Bill... it's hard to know what's real and where the actual opportunties live. This week on the podcast, we're talking with attorney and CBD expert, Cameron Field, about all the ins and outs on hemp and CBD regulation. He takes us through what's real and what's not, when we can expect final regulations, what those might look like and all the other little quiet hurdles we may have missed along the way. Check it out.

This is a BONUS episode where we slip inside the minds of the founders in CanopyBoulder's current business accelerator cohort. This week, we talk with Grow with Jane, an app for home growers straight from Buenos Aires, Argentina. They talk to us about why their team is so strong, how to listen and adapt to a market and why measuring your progress is key. Check it out. To learn more about Grow with Jane, visit their website at growithjane.com

This week on the podcast, we're diving into federal policy around cannabis because, well, it's confusing. Major shifts in policy don't happen overnight and rarely happen without some support in the form of lobbying. Cannabis is no different. This week, we're chatting with Andrew Kline, former prosecutor, and current Director of Policy for the National Cannabis Industry Association on what the landscape looks like. Get his thoughts on what it'll take to legalize, when that could happen, who should be shaping these policies and how you can participate.

Ever wondered how being a licensed cannabis business differs from an un-licensed one? This week, we're chatting with Cyrus Farudi, CEO of Altus Brands, a company that does just about everything. Get caught up on what it takes to run multiple cannabis businesses, in multiple verticals across multiple markets. . Learn more about Altus Brands at altusmade.com

This episode is a rerun. Hope you enjoy this little blast from the past... Pitching to investors isn't easy but it is critical to success. This week, we're talking about best practices when it comes to putting together materials for investors and getting up there in all your glory to... gasp.. talk about yourself! Check it out!

AI. Deep Learning. Computer Vision. Whatever the term you prefer, its all the same - using computers and machines to learn processes we humans do to save us time. And, understandable, its all the rage - who wants to do things themselves? But what does it take to build and run one of these companies successfully? What about in the cannabis industry? Join us as we tackle the terms, what makes one of these businesses really stand out, how regulations might push the sector forward and more.

You've heard that term, right? The "banking problem" - sounds daunting. But what does it actually mean? Are all cannabis businesses still operating with mattresses full of cash or is it changing? This week, we're getting to the bottom of it with Dan Roda of Abaca. Join us to talk about the problem, the solutions, federal legislation, what it all means for businesses and predictions for the future. . To learn more about Abaca, go to https://www.abacabanc.com/.

Last week, we attended CannaTech Tel Aviv, a cannabis-focused conference for the global cannabis industry. In the US, we have a tendency to talk only about the US market so join us as we go through some of the key take-aways from a week of Israeli cannabis. . Learn more about CannaTech and iCan at https://www.canna-tech.co/

The nascent cannabis industry has a lot to think about - regulations, federal prohibition, building a complete infrastructure... it's a lot. But in a world where climate changes are real and there is a island twice the size of Texas of plastic floating in the pacific ocean, isn't it time for the cannabis industry to think about sustainability? This week, we're breaking down the waste issues in the cannabis industry, how regulations add to the problem and what solutions exist to fix this issue before it becomes more of a problem. Joining us to discuss this topic is Ron Basak-Smith and James Eichner of Sana Packaging, a sustainable packaging solution for the industry. . Learn more about Sana Packaging at sanapackaging.com

The dispensaries of yesteryear are long gone these days. What used to be sketchy buildings with bars on the windows have given way to a whole new world of retail experiences. Restrictions around retail and advertising have created a need for innovation in retail that promises to impact traditional buying experiences. This week on the podcast, we're talking with Peak Beyond about retail tech, interactive buying and their predictions on how cannabis will change shopping forever. . Learn more about The Peak Beyond at https://thepeakbeyond.com/

In the world of startups, any edge you can give your team is a good thing. Could mentorship be one of those? Based on a study done by Endeavor insights, the answer is a big, fat YES. This week on the podcast, we're breaking down why thats the case, how to find a mentor for your startup and imparting some best practices to be sure you're the best mentee possible. . Learn more about the Endeavor Insights study here: https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/22/mentors-are-the-secret-weapons-of-successful-startups/ . Learn more about Canopyboulder at canopyboulder.com

Any venture-backed startup is always thinking about how to return the investment made into them. But taking a company from concept to exit is no easy task. This week on the podcast, we're joined by Mason Levy, CEO & Founder of WeGrow, which was acquired in 2018. He takes us through his journey and some of the important components to readying your business for acquisition. . Learn more about Mason Levy and his next venture, Swivl, at tryswivl.com . Learn more about CanopyBoulder at canopyboulder.com

The world of retail is changing - when was the last time you talked to a person at the grocery store? Matt Frost, CEO & Founder of anna is trying to bring the same thing to the cannabis industry with his cannabis vending machine. Yes, you heard that right... cannabis. vending. machine. Hear about his journey into the world of cannabis entrepreneurship on this week's BONUS episode of the podcast.

Fundraising for your startup is a full-time and stressful job. Sometimes, it can feel a lot like beating your head against the wall. And in an industry flooded with new businesses, standing out to investors is key. But what do investors really look for and how can you ensure your business takes center stage? This week, we're letting entrepreneurs in on the secret of what investors (like CanopyBoulder) look for in potential deals so that you can be sure to tighten up those areas. . Looking for support with your cannabis startup? Apply for funding at canopyboulder.com/apply.

The cannabis industry offers investors an opportunity to get in on what is likely the next big industry while its still young. Prohibition has kept valuations low, meaning investors have a chance at a huge ROI if they pick the right bet. But, how does one do that? In an industry that can change overnight, staying up to date on where the opportunities are and understanding what is and isn't a good deal can be time consuming. This week, we're tackling that issue through a data-driven toolkit designed by Cannabis Big Data. The tool utilities matching technology which allows investors to find and vet deals against their specific investment strategy. No more time or money wasted on the wrong people. . Learn more about the process at canopyboulder.com/deals Or, start your investor thesis process now at https://bit.ly/2GBtwcx . Learn more about Cannabis Big Data at CannabisBigData.co

How do regulators make regulations around industries as novel as the cannabis industry? And how can you as an industry participant have more control over the rules that govern you? Find out this week as we recap a keynote address given by Dominique Mendiola, the current Director of Marijuana Coordination for the State of Colorado (appointed by former Gov. Hickenlooper). Joining me to help us understand the regulations, how they came to be and explain how you can be more involved in the process is compliance expert, Kate Awada of Azara Solutions. This is it y'all. The last part of our three part series bringing you our annual Jumpstart Conference. . Learn more about Azara Solutions at Azara.io Learn more about CanopyBoulder at CanopyBoulder.com

In a world where cannabis businesses are limited in how and where they can advertise, what can be done, has to be efficient and cost friendly. This is where influencers come in. But a constant need for new content can get expensive - especially for a startup. Demeter is working to fix that by connecting creators around the country with the brands looking for that content, offering everyday people a way to monetize what they’re already doing and ensuring brands have consistent stream of relevant content. Tune in this week to hear about the issues facing cannabis brands in advertising and Demeter’s startup journey into a new industry. . Learn more about Demeter at trydemeter.com.

Join us for part 2 of our three-part series recapping the CanopyBoulder Jumpstart Conference, our annual gathering of industry professionals, regulators and cannacurious. This week's episode is our entrepreneur panel, where the founders of three cannabis industry start-ups (and CanopyBoulder alumni) talk on a panel about the cannabis entrepreneur world - challenges, successes and best practices. Our panel includes Liz Stahura, President & Co-founder of BDS Analytics, Henry Finkelstein, CEO & Founder of Cannabis Big Data and Jeremy Bamford, CEO & Founder of PotGuide and is moderated by our own Patrick Rea. Also, just a heads up, this one is a little bit long but full of good stuff.

This week, we're talking with Bello CEO & Founder, Ian Carlson, about his innovative new vaporizer technology aimed specifically at social consumption arenas. Using a "Vapor Tap" technology, the company simplifies vaping while simultaneously making smoking weed even more sexy. Join us in the episode for more insight into creating hardware products in a nascent industry. . For more on Bello by Designed Technology, visit sayhellobello.com. . CanopyBoulder is currently accepting applications for investment and for our 16-week accelerator cohort. Learn more at CanopyBoulder.com/apply.

Every year, we hold a Jumpstart Conference where cannabis industry experts, the cannacurious and everyone in between can get together to discuss the industry. Last week was that night. We know everyone couldn't be there - so we're breaking it down for you all. Join us for the first episode in a three-part series designed to get you all caught up. This episode features our operator panel with Graham Carlson, VP of Strategic Initiatives for Charlotte's Web/CW Hemp, Ryan Brown, CEO of Native Roots and Nancy Whiteman, CEO & Founder of Wana Brands. The panel talks about their biggest hurdles, where the gaps ripe for opportunity live, how to best get your idea in front of folks like them and more - all moderated by our own Patrick Rea.

States like Colorado have fully legal access to grow, buy and manufacture cannabis. And yet, there's no where to legally consume outside of your own personal house. How lame is that? The Grove Spaces, one of the most recent CanopyBoulder teams, is taking on the challenge of getting social use spaces up and running. Check out what CEO & Founder, John Moore, has to say about what's going on in the social consumption arena. . For more information on The Grove Spaces, go to www.thegove.space. . For more information on CanopyBoulder, go to www.canopyboulder.com

There comes a point in every young company’s life when fundraising is on the table. But, do you really need to fundraise? And why kind of funds do you need? Debt? Equity? Something else? And where does one even find those funds in a new industry like cannabis? This week, we’re breaking that down for you. Tune in as we walk through the process and give you the low-down. . Check us out at CanopyBoulder.com . Resources talked about in this episode: https://go.canopyboulder.com/news/where-to-start-when-thinking-about-fundraising https://go.canopyboulder.com/news/who-is-investing-in-the-cannabis-industry https://go.canopyboulder.com/news/what-funding-options-does-your-startup-have

All startups are different but there's one thing thats always the same - they all have risks. This week, we're talking about risk - what it is, why its important to identify, what areas to consider and what identifying it means to investors. We've also put together a handy little visual guide which you can access at canopyboulder.com/risk, so check it out and start planning. . Applications for our spring cohort are open. Get it at canopyboulder.com/apply . Lots of great events coming up including our mini-seminar for cannabis curious and entrepreneurs alike. Register here: https://bit.ly/2BofQx7

Last week, Congress passed the new Farm Bill, legalizing hemp crop production. This is a huge step forward for the industry, opening up access to capital and protections for hemp cultivators in all 50 states. We're particularly excited about this episode because 2019 marks the first year CanopyBoulder is including hemp/CBD products in our portfolio. This week, we're breaking the Farm Bill down and diving into what it means for investors and entrepreneurs in the industry. We're also chatting with Matt Oscamou of Weller Snacks (welleryou.com) about CBD products and how this impacts those businesses. So check it out and get up to speed . Applications for our spring accelerator class are open. Check that out at canopyboulder.com/apply . Come to our Jumpstart Conference to hear from industry pros and network on Jan 15th: https://bit.ly/2BofQx7

This week, we're giving you a little recap of the Aspen High event, where cannabis industry pros meet entertainment industry pros. In its second year, the event is a sister event to Aspen Live, a music festival bringing out the big names in entertainment. It doesn't take a whole lot of convincing to get us to attend a cannabis event in beautiful Aspen, CO at the start of ski season but tune in to get our complete take-aways so you can start plotting on how to get your invitation in 2019.

We're back with our series on preparing your business for exit - a thing all young companies should at least be aware of. Even if you're not ready for this yet, it pays to understand how to get your accounting documents in line so that, when the time comes, your business is more attractive (read: higher value and payout). This week, we chatting with Matt Fargo from Kurtz Fargo, an accounting & advisory firm that helps startups navigate these waters. Learn more about Kurtz Fargo at http://kurtzfargo.com/

Like many in the cannabis industry, we spent a week full of weed in Las Vegas at the Arcview Investor Forum and MJBizCon. This week, we're recapping the experience. Both events pulled way more attendees than anyone expected, with Arcview being literally sold out and MJBizCon hitting a record 25,000 attendees. The week was a fascinating one as each year it serves as a bit of a benchmark on how the industry is progressing. Listen to our takeaways! . Learn more about Arcview at arcviewgroup.com and check out upcoming MJBizCon events at MJBizConference.com . Also, in case you missed it, our applications for our spring 2019 accelerator program are OPEN! Check that out at www.canopyboulder.com/entrepreneur

Studies have shown that 92% of the time, consumers purchase whatever their budtender recommends. In a world with so little consumer understanding of cannabis product options, how do dispensaries retain employees, educate them on brands and maximize profits? Best in Grow is tackling the problem with a platform that offers all things budtenders and their bosses need in one place. At just under a year old, the company has already accomplished a lot. Listen to co-founders, Jake Levin and Andrew Duffy, talk about the industry and their journey from Harvard to traditional finance jobs and finally, into this a new market. . Learn more about Best in Grow at bestingrow.io . Learn more about CanopyBoulder at canopyboulder.com

Banking is a huge challenge for this nascent industry. Anyone in the industry has heard the stories about (or has experienced themselves) bank accounts getting shut down. When you're a startup, handling the headache of banking is just another hurdle you don't have time for. This week, we're chatting with MediPays (soon to be Abaca) about their solution to the banking problem for both licensed and ancillary cannabis companies. So far, the team has launched web banking, is live with operators on their platform and has $5M in deposits. Listen to their journey into the CanopyBoulder program and the world of cannabis entrepreneurship. . Get more info on the team at https://www.medipays.com/ . Get more info on CanopyBoulder at canopyboulder.com

One of the biggest obstacles to starting up and investing in cannabis is that the industry moves so fast, its hard to see whats really happening. This week, we're tackling that issue through data, everyone's favorite buzzword. Do you know what kind of data to be collecting, where to look for it or how to make it make sense? How about what resources exist to give you clarity not only into the industry, but into your business? Founder and CEO of Cannabis Big Data, Henry Finkelstein, joins us to talk about it. . Don't want to listen? Read about it here: https://go.canopyboulder.com/news/thinking-about-cannabis-data-for-ancillary-entrepreneurs . get more info at www.cannabisbigdata.co

Compliance. That thing that keeps all cannabis licensed businesses up at night. We've all heard the horror stories of companies losing everything over compliance violations - and, honestly, they're pretty scary. This week, we're talking with Azara CEO & Founder, Kathryn Awada, about her solution. The former bud-tender and all around cannabis pro started down this path as the first ever Metrc consultant. Now, shes using her expertise to build out a platform that helps businesses sleep at night. Listen to what shes up to. . Visit Azara at https://www.azara.io/

Meet Jackson Rowland, CEO and founder of Green Genomix. Like many out there dipping their toes into the cannabis sea, Jackson found that some cannabis products just didn't work for him. So he decided to create a business that provides personalized cannabis recommendations through DNA testing. Listen to his thoughts on starting up in the cannabis industry.

This week, we're recapping not one, but TWO, cannabis investment conferences in the financial capitals of both the US and Canada. Last week, we attended IMN's Institutional Capital & Cannabis Conference in New York City and Kahner Global in Toronto. The two yielded very different experiences, highlighting the differences in cannabis investing between the US and Canada. Listen to us break down the events so you can pretend like you were there too. Get it in blog format here: https://go.canopyboulder.com/news/cannabis-investor-forums-a-recap-from-new-york-and-toronto

Meet Sarah Gersten and Julie Saltman, co-founders of Buddle. The company empowers cannabis businesses to navigate the industry’s complex legal and regulatory landscape with automated legal services, access to legal documents and a network of cannabis law experts. Listen to their journey to getting started and how things are going for the company.

As a business accelerator, we get up close and personal with entrepreneurs launching their businesses. And since this is a podcast dedicated to investing and starting up in the cannabis industry, what better way than to talk about those topics than through interviews with the entrepreneurs themselves. Over the next few weeks, we'll be releasing occasional content interviews with our teams for your listening pleasure.

There's so much to think about when you're launching a business. But, making sure you know what you're doing from a legal perspective is key. This week on the podcast, we sat down with Shawn Stigler, attorney at Michael Best and startup legal expert, to talk about the things entrepreneurs should be thinking about as they launch a business.

Investing in the cannabis industry isn't easy. Its not only brand new, but is constantly changing. The assumptions that once were true can be untrue tomorrow, meaning there are a lot of bad investments out there. Get it right by learning the 10 things you should know before you dive into the green rush.

Didn't get enough on the legal aspect of exiting? Listen to our BONUS chat with John Gaddis, Attorney and exiting expert, to get a little more.

Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to have a smooth and winning exit! You've invested sweat, tears, blood (and alot of time and money) into your young company. But there comes a day when its time to move on. Preparing for an exit can be an overwhelming process; you want to get it right so you can move confidently into the next phase of your professional life. This week we have experienced transactional Attorney and partner at KO Law John Gaddis, on the podcast to discuss what founders should be thinking about as the prepare to exit. John has done countless term sheets and is the expert on exiting in a way that leaves everyone a winner. Get a BONUS episode on Preparing for Exits: https://anchor.fm/canopyboulder/episodes/BONUS---Preparing-your-Business-for-Exit-Legal-e2cesh Learn more about KO Law: https://kofirm.com/

Due to federal prohibition, we've been living in a bit of the dark when it comes to how cannabis works with our bodies. This week, we have Tristan Watkins, PhD Neuroscientist and Chief Science Officer for Lucid Mood with us to talk about where we stand with this research, what needs to be done to progress and how cannabis brands are working to advance what little we know.

Compliance seems to be the "it" word these days. It gets thrown around like a hot potato. But, what does it mean,why is it important and HOW do you get on board? This week, we tracked down the experts, Tyler Stratford and Greg Huffaker from CannaAdvisors, to unpack compliance for everyone from cultivators to retailers. They walk us through common issues and give some tips for how new and existing businesses alike can ensure their compliant. After all, the country is watching what cannabis does next. . . Named the #1 consulting firm in the industry by Cannabis Business Executive, the Canna Advisors team delivers more than 85 years of combined industry experience in license procurement, facility design and optimization, business development, operational management support, branding, and marketing. Check out www.thinkcanna.com for more information. . . Don't miss our launch party on Oct 2 in Boulder, CO. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/2PSXMkp

Artificial intelligence and computer learning in the cannabis industry? This week, we're chatting with deepgreen CEO, Colin Ferrian on topics from what its like to be an entrepreneur in this industry to the future of tech. For more information on deepgreen, go to deepgreen.ai

You've decided to take on some venture capital. Now what? Do you need to qualify those investors or can you trust them? And how do you even go about that? Don't fret dears, we have the answers. This week we're diving into what you should be thinking about when considering investors- it is, after all, basically a marriage. Are you picking the right one? More information on fundraising and investors at https://bit.ly/2O9FURL

Branding is key to cornering the market in the cannabis industry. This week, we're talking with attorney and trademark expert, James Marion, about how to ensure you have a safe and effective trademark. Follow him on twitter @marionesq and check out his website at http://www.marionesq.com/

Get the low-down on Canada's new cannabis industry as we recap our experience at MJBizCon's first International show in Toronto and talk a little about cannabis investment trends in Canada.