How to Find Investors for Your Cannabis Business?
There are a few key places to look for cannabis investors when starting a business. First, try approaching friends and family members who may be interested in investing in your company. Next, look for venture capitalists who specialize in funding early-stage businesses. Finally, you can also reach out to angel investors who are typically high-net-worth individuals willing to invest in high-risk ventures.
To find the right investors for your cannabis business, it’s important to first understand what type of funding you need. Equity investors, for example, will own a stake in your company and will expect to see a return on their investment if your business is successful. Debt investors, on the other hand, will provide you with capital that you will need to repay, with interest, regardless of whether your business succeeds or fails. Once you know what type of funding you need, you can begin to identify potential investors.
The Marijuana Sector: An Overview
The first step in finding investors for your cannabis business is understanding the marijuana industry as a whole. The legal cannabis industry is growing rapidly, and it’s crucial to know where it stands before you start seeking funding. Here are a few quick facts about the current state of the industry:
- The global legal cannabis market was valued at $14.0 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $63.0 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 21.0% during the forecast period (2019-2027).
- The North American legal cannabis market was valued at $11.0 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $47.35 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 22.0% during the forecast period (2019-2027).
- The United States legal cannabis market was valued at $11.0 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $48.35 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 25.0% during the forecast period (2019-2026).
As you can see, the legal cannabis industry is booming and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some approaches and answer the question of how to get investors for a dispensary or any other cannabis business.
List of Marijuana Investment Firms
Let’s have a look at the list of some popular marijuana investment firms that can be of help to get started with your business.
| Name | Website | Location | Additional info |
| Green Growth Investments | greengrowthinvestments.com | CA, NV, OR, AK, AZ | Works with retail, cultivation, wholesale, and insurance-related businesses |
| Solidum Capital Advisors LLC | solidumcapital.com | UNITED STATES | Works with early stage and middle market marijuana companies |
| Privateer Holdings | privateer.co | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON | Interested in acquiring and creation of mainstream brands |
| Salveo Capital | salveocapital.com | CHICAGO, IL | Interested in a long-term cooperation and cannabis ventures |
| The ArcView Group | arcviewgroup.com | CALIFORNIA | Works in the legal cannabis industry |
| Cannabis Capital | thecannabiscapitalgroup.com | NATIONWIDE | Investment consulting services |
| ETFMG | etfmg.com | SUMMIT, NJ | Develops thematic ETFs |
| Tress Capital | tresscapital.com | NEW YORK | An institutional-grade fund management company |
| Blast Funding LLC | blastfunding.com | NAPLES FL | Fast and simple processes |
How to Find Cannabis Investors?
If you are ready to start a cannabis business and already have a working idea of how to make your goal real, the next step is to find appropriate marijuana investors. Before you do this, you should have a business plan and some understanding of what type of investment you are seeking. Moreover, you should also be familiar with the current market and what type of companies are being funded.
There are a few ways to find potential cannabis investors for your cannabis business. Perhaps the most obvious way is to search online. But let’s have a look at some of them in more detail.
Use Cannabis Business Directories
One of the first places you can look for investors is through cannabis business directories. These directories list companies and individuals interested in investing in the cannabis industry. Of course, some of those who want to invest in marijuana stocks are looking for large companies, but there are also investors interested particularly in new businesses. While this method can be helpful, it’s important to remember that not all the people listed in these directories will be legitimate cannabis investors. You’ll need to do your due diligence to make sure that you’re only contacting legitimate investors who are a good fit for your business.
It can also work another way around. You should list your business in one of these directories to attract the attention of potential investors. Make sure to provide all the necessary information that will be useful for someone interested in giving money to a startup.
Attend Cannabis Industry Events
Another great way to find potential investors is to attend cannabis industry events. These events bring together people from all over the legal cannabis industry, including growers, manufacturers, retailers, and investors. This provides an excellent opportunity to network with potential investors and cannabis investment firms and to learn more about the industry as a whole.
Moreover, this is a great possibility to learn more about the industry. This can be extremely helpful when it comes to pitching your business to potential investors. The more you know about the industry, the better chance you have of expanding and developing it.
You can also meet new clients there. This is a part of networking, and many events are organized with this goal in mind. Aside from new knowledge and clients, meeting investors in person is sometimes much more effective than finding them online, for example. You can provide them with all the necessary information and charm them right away. Some events are specifically organized for businesses and investors to find each other.
Network Online
In addition to attending events, you can also network with potential investors online. There are numerous online forums and networking groups dedicated to the cannabis industry. These platforms provide an excellent way to connect with other professionals in the industry, including investors.
If you don’t know where to start, visit LinkedIn. This is a popular platform, but it is also great to let people know about your business or startup. Many investors communicate in cannabis-related groups, and you should only participate there, too. Another great idea is to visit business-focused cannabis social networks like WeedCircles.
Don’t forget about the necessity to prepare beforehand. It is essential to have at least an outline of the development and marketing strategy. Moreover, you should be able to answer all the potential questions fully and honestly, without dodging.
Use Crowdfunding
If you’re not having luck finding hemp investors through traditional channels, you can always try crowdfunding. With crowdfunding, you can solicit donations or investments from the general public. This method can be a great way to raise money for your cannabis business, but it’s important to remember that it’s not always easy to find people willing and able to invest in cannabis.
At the same time, there are numerous cases when crowdfunding initiatives were successful. For example, the website GoFundMe has raised millions of dollars for various cannabis businesses. If you’re thinking about using crowdfunding to raise money for your business, make sure to do your research and create a well-thought-out campaign. Successful cannabis startup funding projects are always supported and well-maintained.
The more information you provide, the better are your chances to succeed. Make sure to mention in your campaign that the money will be used to start or grow a cannabis business. You should also provide potential investors with information about the risks and rewards associated with investing in your marijuana business.
Seeking a Loan
If you’re looking for more traditional forms of financing, you can always try to seek a loan from cannabis angel investors, a private equity investor firm, or a cannabis venture capitalist. These types of investors are usually more interested in businesses with a proven track record, so this method may not be ideal if you’re just starting out.
If you still decide to opt for it, be ready to correspond to these key metrics:
- have a great business idea;
- have a well-developed business plan;
- have a proven track record of success;
- have a solid management team in place;
- establish your business in operation for at least six months;
- have a credit score of at least 500;
- have no criminal record;
- be able to demonstrate significant growth potential.
Remember that it is essential to be able to answer all the questions listed above and more. You will have to provide extensive documentation and go through a lengthy screening process to get better marijuana investment opportunities.
Online Business Loan
Another option is to try an online business loan. There are some online lenders and private investors that cater to the cannabis industry. These loans can be a great way to get the funding you need for your business, but they tend to come with higher interest rates and fees.
Moreover, it is essential to conduct thorough research on the chosen lender. You should check their rates, terms, and conditions before applying for a loan. It is also crucial to make sure that the lender is reputable and has a good track record.
The main benefit of such a loan is high approval rates. However, it is still necessary to be aware of the potential risks.
A Personal Loan
If you’re struggling to find cannabis investments for your cannabis business, you can always take out a personal loan. This option can be a great way to get the funding you need, but it’s essential to remember that personal loans come with high interest rates and fees.
Before taking out a personal loan, make sure to research the lender and check their rates, terms, and conditions. You should also make sure that the lender is reputable and has a good track record.
The main benefit of taking out a personal loan is that it can give you the funding you need to start or grow your business. However, it’s critical to remember that personal loans come with high interest rates and fees.
Social Media
Finally, don’t forget about social media. Social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn can be a great way to connect with potential MMJ investors. You can also use social media to promote your business and build relationships with other professionals in the industry. Try looking for weed investment funds, too.
To do this, you should post content regularly. It should be engaging, interesting, or useful. Thus, you will expand your brand’s visibility and make it more trustworthy.
You should also join relevant groups and participate in discussions. This will help you build relationships with other professionals in the industry and find potential investors. In other words, you should be as active online as possible.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways that you can find people to invest in the cannabis business. It’s essential to do your research and choose the method that is best suited for your needs. Don’t forget that you can also use a combination of methods to find the right investors for your business.
So, what are you waiting for? Start looking for cannabis investing opportunities today! Federal laws are changing and there are even more possibilities for those who see themselves in the cannabis niche. Use these tips to find the right investors for your cannabis business. With the right investors, you can take your business to new heights!
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Andrew Shum is an experienced digital marketing expert. He specializes in helping businesses within the marijuana industry market their products and services online. With years of experience in creating marketing strategies for cannabis-related businesses, Andrew has a proven track record of success.
