Cannabis companies developing everything from a box-of-the-month club to media companies to software solutions move to Boulder next week to begin CanopyBoulder’s 13-week entrepreneur bootcamp.
The new class follows CanopyBoulder’s first graduating class, which finished the program in late June and already has raised more than $2.4 million in seed money from investors.
“Now is the time to build great businesses in the cannabis industry, before competition increases exponentially with legalization in the most populous states, including California, Florida and Ohio,” said CanopyBoulder co-founder and CEO Patrick Rea.
Hundreds of companies apply to CanopyBoulder immersion bootcamps, but the accelerator program selects a maximum of 10 for each three-month session. The entrepreneurs that make the cut receive $20,000 investments from CanopyBoulder, space in CanopyBoulder’s office and intense guidance from veteran business leaders.
The fresh slate of emerging businesses is poised to capitalize on the fastest growing industry in the nation. The ArcView Group angel investor network, which has helped to raise more than $49 million for cannabis companies, works closely with CanopyBoulder entrepreneurs for investment opportunities.
“We have a diverse fall cohort, with a wide range of business ideas and a group of entrepreneurs representing different ethnic backgrounds from across the country,” said Micah Tapman, Managing Director of CanopyBoulder. “I’m looking forward to an exciting 13 weeks as we push each team and help them succeed.”
The Fall 2015 CanopyBoulder Companies
Ananas. CEO Robert Lombino. Ananas develops smart and customizable products for the cannabis industry using 3D printing.
Cannahacker. CEO Yilak Tibebu. Cannahacker is a web magazine focusing on cannabis lifehacks, tips and popular culture.
Compliant Cannabis. CEO Connor Penhale. Compliant Cannabis provides a business intelligence platform for cannabis companies, providing invaluable insight from seed to sale.
Elevate. CEO Alan Bader. As cannabis merges with the mainstream, Elevate raises the bar of cannabis enjoyment with thoughtfully designed, well-crafted, US-manufactured lifestyle and smoking supplies.
Ganja Boxes. CEO Dhaval Shah. With Ganja Boxes, cannabis enthusiasts enjoy a premier lifestyle box-of-the-month club.
Grownetics. CEO Eli Duffy. Grownetics provides software and hardware tools for optimized cannabis cultivation.
HBJ. CEO Sean Murphy. Hemp Business Journal offers unbiased market data and business information for those involved, or interested in, the global hemp industry.
Leafcart. CEO Shahen Udugampola. Leafcart is a mobile marketplace app that allows users to discover, buy and sell smoking accessories and cultivation supplies.
TPS Reports. CEO Carter Baird. TPS Reports is an ongoing web video series covering marijuana science, industry and culture with The Pot Scientist.
To learn more about CanopyBoulder’s fall class, visit the CanopyBoulder portfolio page: https://www.canopyboulder.com/about/portfolio/.
About CanopyBoulder
CanopyBoulder is a seed-stage, mentorship-driven, business accelerator created in partnership with The ArcView Group for companies developing ancillary products and services for the legal cannabis industry. Companies are handpicked by the selection committee to receive a $20,000 capital infusion and participate in an intensive 13-week accelerator program. CanopyBoulder advisors and mentors work closely with each company, helping define business models, refine unique selling propositions, and focus marketing and fundraising activities. For more information, please visit www.canopyboulder.com.
About The ArcView Group
Founded in 2010, The ArcView Group is responsible for a number of groundbreaking ventures in the cannabis industry. The ArcView Investor Network includes more than 500 accredited investors who have put more than $49 million behind 73 companies. ArcView Market Research produces the State of Legal Marijuana Markets report, which is the most oft-cited national market data report. In 2015 ArcView became a partner in Canopy, the first seed-stage mentor-driven business accelerator. ArcView is also co-founder of Cannasure Insurance Services, the leading provider of business insurance to the cannabis industry. ArcView has been featured in cover stories in Fortune Magazine, PBS NewsHour and many other national and international media outlets.
