Founder Institute is proud to share this report highlighting a handful of the recent cannabis startup success stories from FI San Francisco’s virtual cannabis accelerator vertical program. Each of these companies are graduates of the San Francisco Founder Institute's Virtual Spring 2021 accelerator program - and, the next San Francisco Virtual Fall 2021 Cannabis Vertical accelerator is now open for applications from pre-seed stage cannabis founders, through October 10th, 2021!
Without further ado, check out these five up-and-coming cannabis brands hitting impressive milestones and being highlighted in the press:
House of Puff creates cannabis accessories for a New High Culture that lives unapologetically.
Founder Kristina Lopez Adduci launched House of Puff in 2020 to create sophisticated puffware, curated objects that you can be proud of: designed with intention for engaging the senses and cultivating inspired living. Founder Kristina Lopez Adduci’s passion for art is reflected in the artist-inspired puffware, and as a female-led Latina-owned business, House of Puff lives life unapologetically on a mission to help you do the same.
Flor de Maria is a maker of the highest quality small batch CBD-infused edibles.
As a single father living in NYC, Flor de Maria founder William Zitser initially got into CBD to help take the edge off of everyday life, and find more patience in being a dad. Constantly searching for the best sustainable ingredients, Flor de Maria chocolate is sourced from family-owned producers, where every bar is an experience of the finest single-origin Latin American chocolate; and hand-cultivated, New York-grown full spectrum artisanal hemp flower extract. Flor de Maria is indulgence crafted with the purest ingredients, and has been featured in outlets including Thrillist, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more.
Avec Bloom is crafting bloom-to-bottle cannabis infusions and craveable libations.
With product releases set for spring 2022, Avec Bloom is already making a splash for a blend of “California Cool” remixed with culinary creativity deeply rooted in the French tradition—from bloom to bottle, Avec Bloom delivers elevated experiences through exceptional cannabis infusions and craveable libations. Avec Bloom Chief Innovation Officer Jake Wall drives the development of the brand’s products and human-centered design, having spent more than 15 years in consumer marketing developing products for Sarah Sue Foods, and leading content and community-driven offerings at leading online brands. The company has pledged its commitment to social equity, justice, gender diversity, equality and empowerment, as well as to environmental impact sustainability.
The Artsy Leaf offers a cannabis-friendly artisan marketplace for consumers in search of uniquely crafted pieces.
The Artsy Leaf’s centralized marketplace of merchant shops will not always have cannabis references (though most do!) and buyers don't have to be consumers of cannabis. The Artsy Leaf celebrates self-expression, and believes in the power of community and operating with a people-first mentality. At a time of unprecedented job loss and salary cuts, many people are turning to side hustles and creative outlets for additional income. Co-founders Rebecca Goldberg and Abbey Weintraub-Sklar view The Artsy Leaf’s vendors as partners, and want to elevate their creators’ work, brands and products, in an otherwise fragmented market.
Gallantri Industries is a vertically integrated cannabis company creating positive impact.
Gallantri Industries is a veteran, women, and minority-owned and operated hemp and cannabis company. By modeling ownership, Gallantri co-founder Keyston Franklin seeks to inspire a new generation of innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs interested in entering the cannabis industry. Underserved communities are often ignored until there is money to be made, but Gallantri Industries actively invests in economic empowerment, health, awareness, and safety of community residents via engagement opportunities including educational events and media, substance abuse support, and direct employment.
The next FI San Francisco Virtual Fall 2021 Cannabis Vertical accelerator program is now accepting founder applications from pre-seed stage cannabis startups, until October 10th, 2021.
Graduates of the Founder Institute are creating some of the world's fastest growing startups, having raised over $1.85BN in funding, and building products people love across over 200 cities worldwide.
See the most recent news from our Grads at FI.co/news, or learn more about their stories at FI.co/journey.
