Canada's Cannabis Startup Ecosystem Gets a Boost

Leaf Forward's startup accelerator invests in Canadian cannabis startups, kick-starting their growth.

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's most promising early-stage cannabis startups are currently participating in the first 12-week cohort of the Leaf Forward Accelerator.

Leaf Forward, the global launchpad for cannabis entrepreneurship, has invested $50,000 each in 4 promising cannabis startups, and created a 12-week program to kick-start each company's growth.

Leaf Forward is proud to have selected 4 startups on the basis of their product, founding team, and potential for growth. These startups include:

Foco Mill is re-imagining cannabis experiences with beautiful, functional products and packaging. The company's first and flagship product is the world's best vaporizer grinder. Designed specifically for vaporizing it packs inventive features that allow users to grind faster, remove stems, and get an extremely fine vape grind. It's available for pre-order now!

Munchy Brothers makes fresh from frozen cannabis edibles you can bake up hot and fresh in 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the product. They have a proprietary process that removes the taste and smell of cannabis without compromising effect, and their products are dosed low so you can eat one, have fun and be functional the next day. Munchy Brothers products will be available upon regulatory approval.

Mastermind Bio-Wellness is a cannabis brand and education company for athletes and those leading an active lifestyle. Mastermind currently works with an elite network of professional athletes to incorporate CBD into their training regiments. Mastermind will introduce a branded line of hemp and CBD products when regulations allow.

EKS manufactures and distributes 100% natural health products designed for one-step, at-home infusion with cannabis oil. Today, the product line includes two salves (one for pain and another for skin healing and beauty); a loose leaf tea and a bath salt. Products have proprietary consistent and repeatable formulations, which have been developed by a team with 10+ years of experience blending and developing topicals.

Leaf Forward has also created a fee-based incubator pilot program. The incubator's first participant is Blade Filters Inc. that develops activated indoor carbon air filters,with a replaceable carbon cartridge for odour removal and filtration purposes. The unique replaceable insert decreases wasted resources and save users, on average, 30% in costs. 

Upon completion of the 12-week Accelerator program, each startup will have the knowledge, tools and connections they need to raise additional funding and rapidly scale their business.

"Canada is poised to become a global leader in the cannabis industry," said Leaf Forward CEO Alex Blumenstein. "To support that leadership role, we need a vibrant startup ecosystem. Leaf Forward's role is to find the most promising early stage companies and maximize the odds that they turn into the next big thing in the space. We believe some of these startups will become household names in the not-so-distant future."

Leaf Forward will accept another batch of cannabis startups in the Spring of 2019. Early bird applications for that cohort are now open until December 31st. Interested startups can apply at www.leafforward.org/accelerator 

SOURCE Leaf Forward

For more information about Leaf Forward or any of the startups participating in the Fall/Winter 2018 Leaf Forward Accelerator Cohort, please contact: Alex Blumenstein, 416-275-2911, [email protected]