THE WORK
THE WORK
NuProject’s programs increase success outcomes for cannabis entrepreneurs and professionals of color. Our work addresses the three most prevalent equity hurdles: capital, education, and connection. We provide funding for cannabis businesses, knowledge-building for entrepreneurs and professionals, and a mentoring network and jobs board to make door-opening connections.
Cannabis Business Programs
NuSchool is our equity-centered model for historically-excluded founders’ business growth by combining on-demand virtual learning with connections to a network of mentors. We believe this on-demand access for our NuSchool businesses will ignite a shift in success rates for BIPOC cannabis companies.
NuSchool Learning Platform is a DIY model we developed for learning at your own pace experience supporting historically excluded entrepreneurs as they attempt to cross the hurdles keeping these business owners from achieving the same success rates as their well-capitalized counterparts. NuSchool businesses receive a combination of on-demand, virtual learning from experienced founders and can follow up for introductions/insights from mentors that have decades of business experience in cannabis and beyond.
NuSchool businesses can expect a commit of business resources, support and mentoring from NuProject staff. NuSchool accepts businesses into its program year-round based on the fit between entrepreneur and the program. As with anything you get out of your expericne what you put into it so please use your time wisely. We support both plant-touching and ancillary, THC and CBD businesses.
To support BIPOC business growth via NuSchool as a funding partner, email jeannette@nuproject.org.
BIPOC entrepreneurs have historically been excluded from the networks that create wealth. NuNetwork provides BIPOC entrepreneurs with mentors and connectors who can close network gaps. We’re looking for mentors and subject matter experts from across the U.S. and Canada who are willing to lend some time – as little or as much as you can – to the NuProject entrepreneurs in our network. Based on our entrepreneurs’ needs and the time a mentor can give, NuNetwork participation can vary, including:
formal recurring mentoring relationships
one-time meetings to provide real-time subject matter expertise
Warm introductions to hard-to-reach contacts
The more leaders in our network, the more effective the network. Interested in becoming a mentor? Click the links below to complete our interest form to kick off the process of joining NuNetwork as a mentor or as an entrepreneur to be mentored.
Funding for cannabis businesses with a priority placed on funding businesses 51%+ owned by people from communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis criminalization — Black, Indigenous and Latina/o/x.
Funding options include:
$2 Million
funded to historically
excluded entrepreneurs
0% interest loans
0% interest loans, which are available to revenue-generating businesses 365 days a year; average loan size
Low-interest loans
Why Loans?
To recirculate funds and grow more businesses from this capital
To prepare founders for larger capital investments via bank-funded financing
Founders retain company ownership versus investment capital
NuFuel loans establish valuable business credit
Grants
Grants are available to startup and revenue-generating businesses located within the state of Oregon
Current Grants Available:
CERF Grants open
January 16-February 14, 2023
