It's been estimated that the energy used to grow a single marijuana plant would run seven refrigerators for the same period. Entrepreneur Kevin Mayer wants to change the way resource-intensive grow operations use energy, with a tech platform that drives efficiencies for growers, encouraging energy savings and conservation. Croptimize helps optimize demand profiles and reduce operating expenses through machine learning to leverage rate structure management and utility incentives, and is a spring 2017 Canopy company.
Team Members and Hometowns:
Kevin Mayer - Boulder, CO
Rich Barone - Honolulu, HI
Jeff Scelza - Denver, CO
How did you develop the concept for your cannabiz?
Our original vision was to bring connectivity and automation to climate management systems - we are passionate about gardening/growing and saw an opportunity for familiar technology. As a side project, we began developing a climate management solution, however we soon realized there was a lack of resources for non-device energy efficiency and optimization solutions in the space... our team already had a deep understanding of the energy dependence in traditional industrial & commercial settings, much of which lends to cannabis cultivation. Croptimize was born.
What problem does your product/service solve in the cannabis industry?
Our mission is to enable growers to realize operational cost savings from more efficient/better managed energy profiles and emerging technologies.
How did you hear about Canopy, and why did you decide to apply to the accelerator?
We've known about Canopy since it's inception and have watched it grow into one of the nation's leading accelerator. Our business needed the kickstart to get off the ground and we knew Canopy would bring that to the plate. Between the mentorships, network and general business guidance, we couldn't ask for more in an investor partner.
What element of the Canopy program are you most excited about?
The program is real - this isn't business philosophy, it is active business development. The Canopy team and mentors encourage the businesses to put themselves out there and figure out what works and what doesn't. Coming from the world of bigger business, the pace of a "fail fast" mentality is a breath of fresh air.
What's the best part of working in the cannabis industry?
Aside from the obvious, it's an awesome networking dynamic. The industry, to some people's surprise, is comprised of respected professionals who share a vision of developing a new industry. The mentality and drive of the pioneers is infectious - I've never experienced anything like it in mature industries.
You work a lot. What do you do when you're not drilling down on your startup?
Again... aside from the obvious, we enjoy much of the Colorado lifestyle: skiing, biking, hiking, craft beer. (Some of us get to surf also.) Mix that with family and friends and some would say we're living the dream. Also big into car restoration/repair and have been flying kites a lot recently!
