Gotham Launches Accelerator; First Cohort to Support Black-Owned Cannabis Brands

*NEW YORK* — Dispensary concept chain Gotham launched the Gotham Growth
Project (GGP), a business accelerator program designed to support
growth-stage cannabis consumer brands from underserved communities. The
inaugural cohort will focus on Black-owned businesses operating in New York
City, providing founders with the structure, strategic guidance, and
industry access needed to scale sustainably. Future cohorts will expand to
additional underserved communities.

The six-session program is open to founders based in New York City’s five
boroughs, Westchester County, and Long Island who already are selling
products through licensed dispensaries, retail partners, or regulated
marketplaces. GGP blends instruction, peer collaboration, and practical
assignments to help founders tackle real-world growth challenges, from
retail readiness and operations to financial strategy and expansion
planning.

“Too many founders from underserved communities are expected to navigate
growth on their own after clearing the hardest barriers to entry,” said
Gotham Chief Operating Officer Kenny Anderson. “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.”

The accelerator curriculum includes six core focus areas:

- Brand foundation and positioning.
- Product development and regulatory alignment.
- Operations and sales strategy.
- Retail readiness and partnerships.
- Financial planning and capital preparedness.
- Storytelling, pitching, and executive presence.

To support long-term business development beyond the program, Gotham will
host a series of master classes following completion of the six sessions.

“The idea for the Gotham Growth Project was born out of feedback we
received from our store teams,” said Gotham founder and Chief Executive
Officer Joanne Wilson. “They consistently shared a desire to see more
diverse brands represented on our shelves. GGP is our response and also our
responsibility to the people who make Gotham what it is. This is a
tangible, intentional way to support Black founders who are already
building strong products and deserve greater visibility, resources, and
pathways to scale.”

Eligible applicants must be at least 51-percent Black-owned and -operated,
have been in business for one year or more, and currently have at least one
product on the market. Qualified product categories include THC and CBD
offerings such as flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, gummies, concentrates,
tinctures, and topicals.

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

Applications for the first cohort close March 11 at 5:00 PM ET.