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CanopyBoulder is a mentorship-driven seed-stage investment program for startups in the cannabis industry, with a focus on ancillary products and services.

Three weeks down, ten to go. Greg Capolino of Healthy Headie put it perfectly, “I can’t believe three weeks are already gone.” CanopyBoulder was a whirlwind of activity these last three weeks. Mentor sessions, social events, industry meetings, visits to established marijuana companies, and that doesn’t include the work going into pitch decks, business plans, etc. The mark of a day at Canopy is that surprised look on everyone’s face when we all realize it’s 4pm...where do the days go?

These nascent and fledgling cannabis industries notched a historic win when Privateer Holdings announced the closing of a $75 million fund raise on March 6, 2015.  The largest capital raise announced in the cannabis industry to date, Privateer Holdings solidifies itself as the leading private equity firm in the cannabis industry.  With interests in Tilray, Leafly and Marley Naturals, Privateer identified early on that a super-majority of younger Americans are supportive of legalization (64% of those aged 18 to 34).  As Gallup states, it seems inevitable that prohibition will eventually change.

I look out upon twenty founders representing ten cannabis startups every day and think about the sacrifice and commitment they have made to be part of our first class.  Many left safe and secure jobs in corporate America staking their reputations on the promise of potential of this cannabis industry.  They have entrusted the CanopyBoulder team with great responsibility in this leap, and it is something we take very seriously.

One year ago CanopyBoulder wasn't even a dream. Today we're sitting in a beautiful office with ten amazing teams and over twenty founders. There is something magical about starting anew. A certain energy and vibrancy to life that reminds us of how bland everything else tends to be. Just checkout the video of our opening day to feel the energy, see the smiles, and experience the joy of the startup world.

The opening day of CanopyBoulder 2015 - a whirlwind of activity and ideas!