Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
What can $3.5 million in funding get you? The top slot as the most venture-capitalist-backed company in the cannabis industry.
Last week, Baker, a marketing-automation platform, announced that it had secured a $1.6 million extension to its August 2016 seed round – bringing its total raised capital to $3.5 million. The company's software connects dispensary owners with customers throughout every touchpoint, from online ordering to in-store check-in and interactive shopping menus. Last year, Baker helped more than 250 dispensaries collect a total of $3.1 million in revenue.
"We chose to invest in Baker because of their impressive management team, strong strategic partners and co-investors, scalable business model requiring low [capital expenditure], and critically important tech solution," says Larry Schnurmacher, managing partner at Phyto Partners, which has invested in Baker.
Baker isn't the only cannabis startup gaining traction. The green rush is going strong, and investors who have never before backed a cannabis company are looking to help blaze the trail. We talked to a few experts in the industry about why investors are interested; here are eight reasons they gave.
1. Variety of business and industry opportunities.
You name it, there's an opportunity for it within the cannabis field. Innovative entrepreneurs are looking at new ways to tackle technology, lighting, data management, packaging and everything in between to help develop the bare-bones industry. "I see it as the next great industry, from a number of standpoints," Schnurmacher says. "Cannabis will bring forth medical breakthroughs, health and wellness benefits; society at large will be better off allowing adult use and industrial applications."
There isn't much that cannabis can't touch, and investors certainly see that potential in the emerging and quickly growing market.
2. Rapid valuation shifts.
"Quick valuation shifts are taking place in a very compressed time period," says Leslie Bocskor, president of Electrum Partners. It makes sense, considering the variances that arise with regulatory differences, merger-and-acquisition changes and marketability options. The answer to 'What is this business worth?' changes daily."
But, Bocskor continues, "oftentimes there is liquidity in these markets, whether through the public market or second markets within the businesses and licenses that are the underpinnings of the company or insular businesses that surround them." He adds that this combination gives a "diligent and agile investor" the opportunity to look for good returns – especially when considering the businesses involved and what could happen if they succeed.
3. Personal experience and passion.
The fact that marijuana is illegal federally bars many institutional investors. But many family investment groups and high-net-worth individuals invest because cannabis has effectively helped a relative – whether it's a child with epilepsy, a brother with PTSD or a parent with cerebral palsy. These angel investors are not only extremely invested as a result, but they can make decisions much faster than institutional investors.
4. Opportunity for high-risk management practice.
Investors are well aware of the stigmas and concerns surrounding federal illegality. "Until the perceived clear and present danger is resolved, investors' objections cannot be ignored or set aside," Schnurmacher says.
But the fluidity of the industry draws risk-seekers – especially because of the convergence of a number of issues, including the development of a regulated market, conflict with illegal and legal regulations, and social-justice considerations. Bocskor explains that cannabis investors must "contextualize the risk in a way that will allow them to make decisions that are within their risk tolerance, and yet plan for what those risks mean in terms of how they need to deploy their capital and manage their investments."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Eight Reasons That Investors Are Backing Cannabis Startups
Author: Morgan Smith
Contact: Westword
Photo Credit: Manuel
Website: Westword
Last week, Baker, a marketing-automation platform, announced that it had secured a $1.6 million extension to its August 2016 seed round – bringing its total raised capital to $3.5 million. The company's software connects dispensary owners with customers throughout every touchpoint, from online ordering to in-store check-in and interactive shopping menus. Last year, Baker helped more than 250 dispensaries collect a total of $3.1 million in revenue.
"We chose to invest in Baker because of their impressive management team, strong strategic partners and co-investors, scalable business model requiring low [capital expenditure], and critically important tech solution," says Larry Schnurmacher, managing partner at Phyto Partners, which has invested in Baker.
Baker isn't the only cannabis startup gaining traction. The green rush is going strong, and investors who have never before backed a cannabis company are looking to help blaze the trail. We talked to a few experts in the industry about why investors are interested; here are eight reasons they gave.
1. Variety of business and industry opportunities.
You name it, there's an opportunity for it within the cannabis field. Innovative entrepreneurs are looking at new ways to tackle technology, lighting, data management, packaging and everything in between to help develop the bare-bones industry. "I see it as the next great industry, from a number of standpoints," Schnurmacher says. "Cannabis will bring forth medical breakthroughs, health and wellness benefits; society at large will be better off allowing adult use and industrial applications."
There isn't much that cannabis can't touch, and investors certainly see that potential in the emerging and quickly growing market.
2. Rapid valuation shifts.
"Quick valuation shifts are taking place in a very compressed time period," says Leslie Bocskor, president of Electrum Partners. It makes sense, considering the variances that arise with regulatory differences, merger-and-acquisition changes and marketability options. The answer to 'What is this business worth?' changes daily."
But, Bocskor continues, "oftentimes there is liquidity in these markets, whether through the public market or second markets within the businesses and licenses that are the underpinnings of the company or insular businesses that surround them." He adds that this combination gives a "diligent and agile investor" the opportunity to look for good returns – especially when considering the businesses involved and what could happen if they succeed.
3. Personal experience and passion.
The fact that marijuana is illegal federally bars many institutional investors. But many family investment groups and high-net-worth individuals invest because cannabis has effectively helped a relative – whether it's a child with epilepsy, a brother with PTSD or a parent with cerebral palsy. These angel investors are not only extremely invested as a result, but they can make decisions much faster than institutional investors.
4. Opportunity for high-risk management practice.
Investors are well aware of the stigmas and concerns surrounding federal illegality. "Until the perceived clear and present danger is resolved, investors' objections cannot be ignored or set aside," Schnurmacher says.
But the fluidity of the industry draws risk-seekers – especially because of the convergence of a number of issues, including the development of a regulated market, conflict with illegal and legal regulations, and social-justice considerations. Bocskor explains that cannabis investors must "contextualize the risk in a way that will allow them to make decisions that are within their risk tolerance, and yet plan for what those risks mean in terms of how they need to deploy their capital and manage their investments."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Eight Reasons That Investors Are Backing Cannabis Startups
Author: Morgan Smith
Contact: Westword
Photo Credit: Manuel
Website: Westword
