Marijuana Startups Soaring High In San Francisco

Last week, a host of marijuana startups were on display at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California, in hopes to gain recognition and funding from members of The ArcView Investor Network. With cannabis being touted as one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., entrepreneurs from many different sectors are throwing their hats in the ring to get a piece of the action. The conference featured everything from lighting systems for growers to artisan glass makers selling pipes and bongs, but two trends emerged as investor favorites.

Related Link: Study Shows 74% Growth In Cannabis Industry In 2014

Tech

The tech space seems to be where most are drawn when it comes to investing in a growing industry. The widespread use of social media and smartphone apps has made that arena a popular place for entrepreneurs to build a pot-based business. Likewise, investors are interested in the tech side of cannabis, because of the industry’s ability to quickly grow and scale alongside consumer demand.

Mass Roots, a social networking site for cannabis users and retailers, made a compelling pitch to investors, saying that the company’s database of user info could be a valuable asset as marketing for the drug grows. Other companies like Eaze, a pot delivery app, touted the potential for expansion as legalization spreads.

Related Link: Marijuana-Related Apps Hit A Speed Bump

Health Focus

The event was flush with companies boasting THC-laced products that allow consumers to get high without smoking. Worries about the health risks of smoking have created a large demand for alternative delivery methods, something that has opened the door for innovative product lines from massage oils to vaporizer pens.

Auntie Dolores’ Glazed Pecans pitched high potency, great tasting TCH laced nuts, while companies like VapeXhale piggybacked on the growing use of vaporizer pens as an alternative to smoking and created a marijuana-based version.