Program History
BIPOCann’s social equity mentorship program is an impactful business accelerator for newly licensed operators.
Established in 2022, our pilot mentorship program was launched to help recipients of the first Cannabis Business Grant (via Colorado’s Cannabis Business Office) increase their chances at navigating business entry and growth in the state.
Since then, we have helped numerous founders overcome business challenges, strengthen brand visibility and market presence, increase revenues, and build confidence as founders.
Program Overview (Spring 2025)
BIPOCann’s current mentorship program takes place from February to May, 2025 and it will support founders of social equity licensed businesses who were awarded the Cannabis Business Grant.
The participants in this cohort (#4) are farther along, operationally, in their business journey compared to participants from past cohorts. At the start of this cohort, 82% of the participating businesses are licensed, operational and revenue-producing.
Based on feedback from participants in BIPOCann’s 2024 mentorship program, and the composition of the current cohort, the curriculum for this program will dive deeper into funding, financial management, and revenue-generating strategies that are key to business growth and sustainability.
Program Dates:
February 12 – May 21, 2025
Capstone Event:
Vendor Diversity Day | May 16, 2025
Weeks 1-2:
Orientation
– Introduce program objectives and expectations for participants.
– Share program materials and resources.
– Assess individual business goals and priorities.
Weeks 3-4
Capital & Funding Principles
– Explore funding and capital sources for cannabis businesses.
– Understand what motivates investors, their key concerns, and how to address them effectively.
Weeks 5-6
Pitch Deck Fundamentals
– Cover how to develop a persuasive pitch deck that clearly communicates your business concept, market opportunity, financial projections, and team capabilities.
Week 7
Business Development Workshop
– Participants to work on the concepts covered during the first six weeks of the program.
– Access and demo sales and marketing resources made available to cohort members.
– Gain insights from other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges and share best practices.
Weeks 8-10
Marketing & Advertising Strategies
– Discuss marketing and advertising strategies that drive revenue and the metrics that matter for business growth.
Weeks 11-12
Financial Management Principles
– Cover a range of topics related to managing finances effectively, including budgeting, cash flow analysis, and financial reporting.
Week 13
Business Data & Analysis
– Build off previous week’s topic with a focus on interpreting financial statements, key performance indicators (KPIs), and identifying areas for improvement.
Week 14
Vendor Day Prep
– Participants prepare for showcasing their brands at the capstone event.
Week 15
Vendor Diversity Day
– An event dedicated to celebrating the participating businesses in the social equity mentorship program.
– Showcase businesses to industry stakeholders in attendance.
Want to support our mentorship program?
If you are interested in supporting the current BIPOCann social equity mentorship program, please contact info@bipocann.com. Our team will follow up with you to schedule a call and discuss opportunties to get involved.
Highlights from BIPOCann's 2024 Social Equity Vendor Diversity Day
At BIPOCann’s 2024 Social Equity Vendor Diversity Day, 10 founders of social equity licensed cannabis businesss in Colorado promoted their brands to industry stakeholders.
BIPOCann's 2024 Social Equity Mentorship Program Impact Video
Participating founders and mentors from the 2024 Social Equity Mentorship Program share how grant funding and our 15-week mentorship program positively impacted their business journeys.