GCT100 2023 Nominees: Technology & Business Services

Published

2 years ago

April 4, 2023

Global Cannabis Times Staff

Investors often call them “pick-and-shovel” plays, referencing the clever merchants who sold tools to wide-eyed miners in the California Gold Rush—and often made lots more money doing it. But that designation, with its hint at opportunism, doesn’t seem fair to the providers of vital tech, information and other business-supporting services to cannabis clients.

IT, Software & Web Services

Justin Hartfield
Co-Founder & Chair Emeritus, WM Technology
Irvine, CA

RyanSmith & Zach Silverman
Co-Founders, LeafLink
New York, NY, United States

Ross & Zach Lipson
Co-Founders, Dutchie
Bend, OR, United States

Cory Azzalino
CEO, Eaze
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Eric Boone
CEO, Meristematix
Lisbon, Portugal

Harry Brelsford
Founder, CannaTech Group
Dripping Springs, TX, United States

Chad Bronstein
Founder & CEO, Fyllo
Chicago, IL, United States

Eric Frank
Co-Founder & CEO, NexTec Group
Seattle, WA, United States

Colton Griffin
CEO, Flourish Software
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Peter Huson
COO, Backbone Software
San Francisco, CA, United States

Jeremy Jacobs
Founder & CEO, Enlighten
Bowling Green, KY, United States

Michael Johnson
CEO, Metrc
Lakeland, FL, United States

Martine Pierre
Founder, Cannalution
New York, NY, United States

Socrates Rosenfeld
Co-Founder & CEO, Jane Technologies
Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Jocelyn Sheltraw
CEO, Budist
San Francisco, CA, United States

Christoper Viola
Founder & CEO, Blaze
Newport Beach, CA, United States

Jeffrey Wells
Co-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Metrc
Lakeland, FL, United States

John Yang
CEO, Treez
Oakland, CA, United States

Business Services

Loriel Alegrete
CEO, 40 Tons Brand
Los Angeles, CA, United States

David Belsky
Founder, FlowerHire
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Roy Bingham & Elisabeth Stahura
Co-Founders, BDSA Analytics
Louisville, CO, USA

Tony Gallo
Founder & Managing Partner, Sapphire Risk Advisory Group
Dallas, TX, USA

Karson Humiston
Founder & CEO, Vangst
Denver, CO, United States

Marion Mariathasan
Co-Founder & CEO, Simplifya
Denver, CO, United States

Matt Martinez
CEO, YES Cannabis
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Dierdra O’Gorman
Founder & CEO, Empyreal Logistics
Denver, CO, United States

Jessica Passman
Founder, Hunter & Esquire
Boulder, CO, United States

Amber Senter
Founder & CEO, MAKR House
Oakland, CA, United States

Cy Scott
Co-Founder & CEO, Headset
Seattle, WA, USA

Going Global - Pioneering Cannabis Hospitality: A Conversation with Arend Richard

In this enlightening interview, Arend Richard, a seasoned entrepreneur from the cannabis industry, shares his journey from starting a YouTube channel to educate on cannabis use, to co-founding WeedTube, and developing a unique cannabis hospitality business. Born and raised in Colorado, Aaron discusses the evolution of his business ventures and his current project—creating a welcoming, educational environment for both seasoned and first-time cannabis users. He delves into the challenges of establishing a cannabis-friendly social space, including regulatory hurdles and community engagement, and highlights his vision for a new kind of social interaction centered around cannabis.