Canopy Mentors

Cannabis visionary and leader of the movement to end marijuana prohibition. Founder of the largest investor network in the cannabis industry and CanopyBoulder Partner.

Overseer of marijuana reform efforts for the Drug Policy Alliance.

Erik is a co-founder of Keef Cola and is currently the CEO and Chairman of CanCore Concepts Inc. with over 8 years experience operating a wide variety of enterprises within the legal framework of the Colorado Cannabis market.

One of the industry’s original entrepreneurs, she has played an influential role in helping develop cannabis into one of fastest growing industries in the United States.

Helps organizations improve the quality and quantity of their workforce through utilizing technology solutions and CanopyBoulder Alumni.

Long time Venture Capital investor, fueling and funding entrepreneurs.

Serial startup executive with a successful track record of growing businesses and brands.

Successful founder, owner, director, COO, CEO and programmer of software and technology start-ups.

Tom is a creative strategist who has helped many start-up companies across various platforms attain their goals of self sufficiency.

Noted expert on herbal products with expertise in ethics in labeling and marketing, legal and regulatory issues, research and education.

Over two decades of experience as a venture capitalist investor, investment banker and advisor to entrepreneurial companies.

Accomplished finance and operational executive working with entrepreneurs and early-stage companies to accelerate growth and build value.

Influential and respected cannabis entrepreneur, investor, and advocate, helping build cannabis businesses in 25 states.

Marketing, strategy and commercialization expert with deep sector experience in nutraceuticals, functional foods, ingredients and bioactives.

Debt investor in the cannabis industry.

20 years experience in consumer marketing and brand development with organizations such as Crocs, Coors Brewing Company and The State of Colorado.

Serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of hands on experience in operations, branding, product development, startup strategy and team building.

Texas cannabis entrepreneur and industry advocate with a background in policy, real estate, law and mentorship.

Emily spends her time analyzing the cannabis marketplace and building relationships. She comes with 10+ years of experience working as a brand consultant and researcher.

Extensive integrated media sales and digital product development experience in the Outdoor Industry, Natural Products Industry and Financial Advisory space.

Ken Tapman is an attorney with over 40 years of experience working with regulations and regulators.

An undisputed national leader and advocate for the legal cannabis industry. Few (if any) possess more knowledgeable, connections and experience in the U.S. cannabis industry.

Specialize in branding and package design for cannabis, food, and liquor brands.

Specializes in securities and corporate law with focus on emerging company issues, venture capital, M&A, private equity and public securities law compliance.

Extensive veternarian oncology experience and CBD for pets expert.

Seasoned entrepreneur and the voice behind CannaInsider.com a show that interviews the leading innovators in the cannabis industry.

Serial entrepreneur and angel investor.

Was the driving force behind ebbu’s use of cutting-edge chemistry and smart marketing to simplify purchasing decisions and eliminate confusion in the cannabis industry.

6-year veteran of Colorado cannabis retail and commercial growing

Experienced health and wellness industry professional and connector, with a focus on innovative startups and financing.

Bringing cannabis into the light through excellent financial practices.

Experienced business builder through both her digital creative agency and elite membership group for cannabis professionals.

Serial entrepreneur who launched, grew and exited a number of technology companies.

General Management “C-level” executive with Fortune 500 and start-up experience in global operations, sales, marketing, new product development and turnarounds.

Entrepreneurial and Venture Finance Attorney who focuses on supporting growth companies and the entrepreneurial community.

Integrated design management expert for complex processing systems that couple sound engineering with solid financial analysis.

Nonprofit and advocacy professional. Leading voice on women and cannabis, workplace diversity, and development for young professionals.

Award-winning marketing strategist with a proven track record of building business which help C-Level Marketers win.

C-level technology executive and founder with experience in cannabis, financial services, luxury tourism and medical technology.

One of the world’s foremost experts on experiential marketing. Agency founder, CEO and author who builds businesses and campaigns that positively impact culture and the bottom line.

Healthcare banker, investor and advisor.

Researcher on how the cannabis industry is adopting data science tools and methods.

Over 20 years of consumer insights and new product forecasting expertise, helping enable cannabis entrepreneurs to maximize success through use of professional market research tools and testing.

David has held executive and leadership roles in academic, clinical practice, hospital, professional society, and payer venues.

Leland Rucker has been senior editor of Sensi magazine since 2016.

Capital raising, deal sourcing & due diligence, investment committee member, portfolio management (investment structuring, negotiation & closing), relationship management with financing partners including banks and debt providers & board representation on portfolio.

Dave has built and sold businesses in the distribution, logistics, publishing, and legal and mediation services industries.

15+ years working with venture-backed, early stage growth oriented businesses. Selected Mentor of the Year in the Clean Tech Open.

Focused on unique business combinations with foundations in environmental responsibility, adaptive reuse, and culture changing initiatives and Canopy Alumni.

Serial entrepreneur, creative writer and multi-dimensional relationship expert for entrepreneurs.

Alan's experience ranges from recruiting founding teams, fundraising, leading M&A transactions to listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

Business accelerator badass. Managing Partner, Atomic20 and Scrib, Project Director, brandCOLORADO and Co-director, Boomtown Accelerator.

Cannabis company analyst and business development expert using connections throughout multiple industries to leverage company growth and exposure.

Angel and Venture Investor with strong focus in software, Internet, financial services, consumer, industrial, and energy/clean-tech sectors.

10 years biotech startup experience with four companies and CanopyBoulder Alumni

Executive experienced in venture development, starting from corporate strategy and program execution to product-line ownership and business development.

Born an entrepreneur who started his first business before he could drive. Founder/Partner/Consultant in multiple online marketing ventures.

Evolutionary biologist pioneer in the genomic research of cannabis.

Finance pro helping companies execute on growth plans by giving them visibility into their cash flow and raising capital.

Former owner of multiple dispensaries and grow operations plus years of government relations and consulting experience, specifically around medical cannabis.

Screen and manage the Arcview deal flow and build relationships with the best entrepreneurs in the industry.

Mark is a Co-Founder of CanopyBoulder and a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in healthcare and regulated dietary supplement development and manufacturing.

Key navigator of the Fund, guiding Demeter Capital Group through the uncharted waters of the cannabis industry.

Cognitive Scientist, Emotion Theorist, Executive Coach, Cannabis Entrepreneur Specialties.

Entrepreneur with over 11 years of experience creating companies in the digital marketing, direct to consumer health space.

Cannabis industry veteran and indoor agriculture requirements expert.

A serial entrepreneur combining science and business experience across three startups and CanopyBoulder Alumni.

Focuses on corporate and business transactions and law, including M&A, debt and equity financings, company formations, public offerings, strategic alliances and general corporate representation.

Dr. Katz is a veternaian and national advocate for the legal cannabis industry and served three terms in the New York State Assembly.

Educates thousands of natural products companies about FDA regulations for foods, drugs, supplements and cosmetics, making compliance simple.

With deep experience in corporate development, strategy, finance and product management, Bob has filled CFO and COO leadership roles in growth companies

Halston has been a pioneer in the medical marijuana industry in Colorado since it began in 2009. She has operated and managed licensed dispensaries.

Intellectual property, business and entertainment law specialist with niche experience in trademark and branding strategy in the cannabis industry.

Serial entrepreneur and strategic cannabis industry investor.

Business attorney, cannabis consultant and operator, ex-systems admin with a heart for technology driven enterprises.

John has experience both as a finance executive as well as an investor in the Venture Capital & Private Equity world.

Joe has mentored more than 75 start-ups of which 30% had valuations greater than $4M, with two to IPO.

Over 12 years of experience in private equity, FinTech, structured finance, banking, and real estate.

20 years of entrepreneurship, business strategy, product management, marketing and fundraising experience.

Attorney and former pharmacist focused in the areas of FDA, FTC, Patents, Trademarks, Licensing and Litigation.

Cannabis industry advocate and partner in the leading marijuana industry law firm.

Committed to the reform of federal and state marijuana laws. Areas of practice include business law, marijuana law, and tax law.

Early stage investor and active member of New York Angels.

Cannabis industry pioneer and founder of CannLabs.

Lean-thinking techie entrepreneur that specializes in custom software, identifying target markets and user acquisition.

Advertising veteran coming from 12 years of establishing, building and strengthening the brands of Fortune 500 companies.

Has led premier Canadian cannabis manufacturers into compliance with European Commission’s good manufacturing practice guidelines (EU GMP).

Creative, process-oriented individual with a technical background bolstered by my professional experience in consulting operations, project management, and business development.

Founder of Mazakali, mentor and investor in the cannabis industry with nearly a decade of wall street experience.

Entrepreneur and industry-leading Patent Attorney who specializes in Cannabis-related IP projects and patents.

Cannabis research scientist with a special focus in digital approaches, bioinformatics, and clinical outcomes related to cannabis usage.

Focused on intellectual property negotiation and licensing strategies for consumer brands and commercial services.

Software entrepreneur and innovator.

Successful founder, seasoned attorney, and the Chief Instigator at Needle Consultants, LLC, a Corporate Social Responsibility firm whose work includes building purposeful brands within the cannabis and hemp industries.

Mr. Swartz is a management consultant and Data Scientist helping clients to adopt AI implementations, resulting in multiple patents. Currently President of Improved Business Methods, he advises startups and is a Quora Top Writer.

Bryan is founder and CEO of High West Cannabis - a vertically integrated cannabis cultivator and retailer. Before cannabis Bryan worked with Fortune 500 companies helping them develop their customer experience strategy.