Medical cannabis and wellness company Curio Wellness has established an investment fund that will connect diverse investors with up to 50 aspiring women, minority and disabled veteran entrepreneurs, providing $30 million in capital funding—and helping the company to further its goal of serving patients with safe, effective and reliable cannabis-based medicine in multiple states.
“In looking at the systemic barriers that women, minorities and disabled veterans face in accessing capital, we decided to develop a solution that directly addresses this massive economic disparity,” said Michael Bronfein, CEO. “The Fund provides qualifying entrepreneurs with the investment capital they need to become a Curio Wellness Center franchisee, while ensuring their success through our best-in-class business operations.”
Through the support of committed and diverse investors, the Fund will eliminate the most significant barrier preventing diverse participation in this burgeoning, rapidly growing industry: a lack of capital. The $30 million Private Equity Fund will expand diversity and enable economic empowerment by providing up to ninety-three percent of the start-up capital needed to launch a branded dispensary. Eligible entrepreneurs, through partnership with the Fund, will be enabled to launch a franchise as the majority owner from day one and enjoy a clear pathway to full ownership as a franchisee.