What You'll Learn
Cannabis Funding Prep for Women & Minority Entrepreneurs
- How to position your business for funding success as a woman or minority entrepreneur
- What investors are actually looking for (and common misconceptions)
- Building your network and leveraging community for funding opportunities
- Lessons from raising capital for Event High and building Blunt Brunch
- Resources and programs specifically for women and minority cannabis entrepreneurs
- How to tell your story in a way that resonates with funders
Post-Funding Execution Strategy for Cannabis Startups
- What to do in the first 90 days after securing capital
- Turning investment into revenue: prioritizing your spend
- Common mistakes that drain your runway (and how to avoid them)
- Building a marketing and growth strategy that delivers ROI
- Creating systems and processes that scale
- How Ernest's incubator helps BIPOC entrepreneurs execute after receiving grants
The Full Picture This conversation covers both sides of the funding equation: getting ready to raise capital as a female or minority founder, and executing effectively once you have it. Whether you're pre-funding or post-funding, you'll walk away with actionable guidance.
Why This Matters Now
- Women receive only 2.3% of venture capital funding across all industries
- Minority founders face even steeper odds in securing traditional funding
- The cannabis funding gap is wider for female and BIPOC entrepreneurs
- Most founders who secure capital struggle with execution and burn through their runway
- Having a clear post-funding playbook is the difference between success and failure
Who Should Attend
- Cannabis entrepreneurs seeking funding
- Founders who've raised capital but need execution guidance
- Women and BIPOC entrepreneurs navigating funding challenges
What to Expect
This is a live, interactive conversation. We'll cover real challenges, real solutions, and leave time for your questions. You'll walk away with:
✓ A clear understanding of funding options available today
✓ Practical next steps based on your business stage
✓ Insights from entrepreneurs who've successfully navigated this journey
✓ Resources and connections to explore further
Meet Your Panelists
Adelia Carrillo Co-Founder & CMO, Event High | Founder, Blunt Brunch
Nearly 12 years in cannabis, Adelia has successfully raised capital for multiple ventures including Event High (cannabis ticketing platform serving 144,000+ registered users) and Blunt Brunch (women's empowerment brand with nationwide events). She's currently developing the "She Grows Initiative" with ICBWA and Proteus 420, a fund and mentorship program specifically for women-owned cannabis businesses. Adelia will share her insights on preparing for fundraising as a female founder in cannabis.
Ernest Toney Founder, BIPOCANN
Ernest runs an incubator supporting BIPOC cannabis entrepreneurs who have received state grants but need guidance on execution. His comprehensive curriculum helps founders turn capital into sustainable revenue through strategic planning, marketing execution, and operational systems. Ernest will break down his proven framework for what to do in the critical first 90 days after securing funding.
Moderated by Jake Litke CEO, MediaJel