THE WORK
THE WORK
NuProject’s programs increase success outcomes for historically-excluded cannabis entrepreneurs. Our work addresses the three most prevalent equity hurdles: capital, education, and connection. We provide funding for cannabis businesses, knowledge-building for entrepreneurs, and a mentoring network to make door-opening connections.
Funding for cannabis businesses with a priority on funding businesses 50% or more owned by people from communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis criminalization — Black, Indigenous and Latina/o/x. Funding options include grants and loans.
Why loans? Loans allow us to recirculate capital and reach more businesses with critical growth funds. Founders retain company ownership vs equity capital. And, loans prepare founders for larger capital infusions via bank-funded financing.
$3.7 M
funded to historically excluded cannabis entrepreneurs
0% interest loans
0% interest loans for amounts under $10,000 are available to revenue-generating businesses in Portland, Oregon. For more information, connect with us today.
Portland Loan Program 2024/2025 Application Window is open.
Apply here:
Low-interest loans
Low-interest loans are available to revenue-generating businesses in Oregon, Colorado, and select Northeast states for amounts greater than $20,000.
Portland Loan Program 2024/2025 Application Window is open.
Apply here:
Colorado Loan Program Application Window is closed.
Learn more:
Grants
Grants are available to startup and revenue-generating businesses located within the state of Oregon.
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Fueling Growth is NuProject’s three-day bootcamp for founders seeking to obtain outside capital (loans, venture funding, etc) for their cannabis business. Fueling Growth kicks off in Portland, OR in December 2024 for Portland-HQ’d cannabis businesses. The bootcamp fast tracks participants’ preparation of funding-ready documents necessary for raising capital. Bootcamp also helps participants project growth and better track cash flow to identify paths to self-fund and reduce dependence on outside capital.
Fueling Growth is for licensees, brands, and ancillary businesses. Revenue-generating businesses and startups are welcome. The three-day bootcamp is just the start. Participants are supported for an additional 5 months with coaching and mentoring.
To be the first to know when registration opens, sign up below.
To support diverse-owned business growth via NuSchool as a funding partner, email info@nuproject.org.
Entrepreneurs of color have historically been excluded from the networks that create wealth. NuNetwork provides 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:
