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Female-owned Garden Society has raised more than $7 million in Series A funding. The funding was led by RJ Primo LLC and the proceeds will be used to scale product offerings, modernize manufacturing, and further expand its team to meet the growing demand throughout California, as well as to expand into other states in 2022. Garden Society said that in addition to the primary funding, the round included an oversubscribed SPV composed of strategic female and BIPOC angel investors.
Additionally, Brooke Carpenter, former head of sales for Flow Cannabis, has joined the Garden Society team as head of sales to help drive the company forward. Gore and her co-founder, Karli Warner, are active members of the California cannabis community and fearless advocates for women-owned cannabis businesses and as such wanted to make sure this fund raising effort included a diverse set of investors.
“This new capital will allow us to focus on executing our growth plans as we charge out of the post-pandemic gates,” said Erin Gore, founder and CEO of Garden Society. “Despite a crazy past two years in 2021 we were able to continue to realize rapid growth with a focus on profitability. With this infusion we can further scale production, launch new products, and hire the team to meet the demand we have worked so hard to build over the past five years.”
Last month, the company announced a new line of fast-acting, full spectrum gummies inspired by Wine Country. Incorporating a proprietary cannabis extract to enable its rapid effect, and infused with real wine concentrate, the edibles are available in three flavors: Tart Cherry Pinot Noir, Peach Prosecco, and Sparkling Strawberry Rosé. Each has a varying blend of THC + CBD that provides a desired effect, from relaxing to uplifting, in around 15 minutes.
In addition to their own products, Garden Society has utilized their manufacturing expertise to further drive revenues, collaborating with other leading cannabis brands to both bring new products to California and help current brands scale. In early 2021, the company substantially grew its production team for manufacturing pre-rolls to both meet the current demand as well as to manage other manufacturing contracts. The company also has plans to become a multi-state operator in 2022, taking an innovative approach by leading with their manufacturing expertise to bring Garden Society products to these new markets
The financing round was led by Janna Meyrowitz Turner who said, “There is a huge market opportunity for Garden Society as both a brand and as a highly reputable operator and partner manufacturer. Steady growth, a stellar reputation in California, and industry leadership, as well as investments in impact and DEI infrastructure make it a beloved company selling a product that consumers love.”
“The addition of this SPV is very meaningful to us,” said Garden Society co-founder Karli Warner. “Erin and I have always wanted to share in our success, and yet we are the ones who are already winning. Our ‘Ladies’ Slate’ is composed of amazing entrepreneurs and C-level executive women in both cannabis and mainstream industries who are already helping us build a stronger business. It’s powerful.”
