INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
surprising that having gone through that experience, Lipson would use what he learned in the service of another startup: Dutchie, a
two-year-old, 36-person, Bend, Ore.-based startup whose software is used by a growing number of cannabis dispensaries that pay the startup a
monthly subscription fee to create and maintain their websites, as well as to accept orders and track what needs to be ready for pickup.The
decision is looking like a smart one right now
The company also just locked down $15 million in Series A funding led by Gron Ventures, a new cannabis-focused venture fund with at least
Other participants in the round include earlier backers Casa Verde Capital, Thirty Five Ventures (founded by NBA star Kevin Durant and
sports agent Rich Kleiman), Sinai Ventures and individual investors, including Shutterstock founder and CEO Jon Oringer.Altogether, Dutchie
(named after the song), has now raised $18 million
We talked earlier today with Lipson about the company, its challenges and working with his big brother Zach, himself a serial entrepreneur
Did you always get along with your brother?RL: We complement each other strongly
Were your parents entrepreneurs?RL: Our father is a founder and has run his own business for the last 35 years
Our parents also always pitched us that anything is possible and encouraged us to go for it
He was the dreamer and our mom was the cheerleader, which is a pretty nice combination.TC: You started Dutchie a couple of years ago
orders are out the door quickly or at least, ready for pickup
We make sure the photos work, that different potencies are marked
Is there any way to know what percentage of the overall market that is, and how much is left for you to chase after?RL: First, there are
more than 30 states where cannabis is either medically legal or that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana and we operate in both
counting registered dispensaries, we work with more than 15% of them right now.TC: Who are your biggest competitors? Eaze? Leafly? They also
cannabis, though you are seeing bigger deals
Thrive Capital led that [$35 million] round in [the online cannabis inventory and ordering platform] LeafLink [last month]
You saw Tiger Global [lead a $17 million round ] in [the software platform for cannabis dispensaries] Green Bits last summer
promising and they can get in early and without competition.Pictured, left to right, above: Ross and Zach Lipson
