NYC Cannabis Retailer Launches Accelerator for Black-Owned Brands

The Gotham Growth Project will provide strategic guidance and industry access to help scale up Black-owned cannabis businesses.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A female-led cannabis brand in New York City has announced the launch of a new business accelerator program designed to support growth-stage Black-owned cannabis brands. The Gotham Growth Project will focus on providing founders with the structure, strategic guidance, and industry access needed to scale up their respective businesses.

Why it matters

The program aims to address the challenges that many founders from underserved communities face in navigating business growth after clearing the initial barriers to entry. By supporting diverse visions, the accelerator hopes to turn more Black-owned cannabis brands into successful enterprises.

The details

The six-session accelerator program is open to founders based in New York City's five boroughs, Westchester County, and Long Island who are already selling products through licensed dispensaries, retail partners, or regulated marketplaces. The curriculum covers brand foundation, product development, operations, retail readiness, financial planning, and storytelling. After the program, Gotham will host ongoing Masterclasses to support long-term business development.

  • Applications for the Gotham Growth Project are open now and close on March 11, 2026 at 5 p.m.
  • The accelerator program will conclude with a live pitch showcase at The Highrise, Gotham's semi-annual leadership salon, in October 2026.

The players

Gotham

A female-led cannabis brand based in New York City that is launching the Gotham Growth Project accelerator program.

Kenny Anderson

The Chief Operating Officer of Gotham, who stated that the program is designed to help diverse founders move from traction to scalability.

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What they’re saying

“Too many founders from underserved communities are expected to navigate growth on their own after clearing the hardest barriers to entry. GGP is about meeting founders when the stakes are high, the margins are tight, and the next decisions matter most. This program is designed to help brands move from traction to scalability. The mission of GGP is to turn diverse visions into success.”

— Kenny Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Gotham (Patch)

What’s next

The program will conclude with a live pitch showcase at The Highrise, Gotham's semi-annual leadership salon, in October 2026.

The takeaway

By supporting Black-owned cannabis brands through its Gotham Growth Project accelerator, Gotham is working to address the challenges that founders from underserved communities often face in scaling their businesses after overcoming the initial barriers to entry. This program aims to turn diverse visions into successful enterprises.