Applications for the Gotham Growth Project are currently being accepted through March 11, 2026
NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2026 — Gotham, which operates as the world’s first cannabis concept store, announced today the creation of the (GGP), a business accelerator created to aid growth-stage cannabis consumer brands from underserved communities. The first cohort will concentrate on Black-owned businesses in New York City, supplying founders with structure, strategic direction, and industry access necessary for sustainable scaling. Later cohorts will extend to other underserved communities.
The six-session program accepts founders located in New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester County, and Long Island who currently sell products through licensed dispensaries, retail partners, or regulated marketplaces. GGP merges expert teaching, peer cooperation, and practical tasks to help founders address actual growth challenges—ranging 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 Kenny Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Gotham. “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 market positioning
- Product development and regulatory compliance
- Operations and sales strategy
- Retail readiness and partnership development
- Financial planning and capital readiness
- Storytelling, pitching, and leadership presence
To encourage continued business development after the program, Gotham will present a series of Masterclasses after the six sessions conclude.
“The idea for the Gotham Growth Project was born out of feedback we received from our store teams,” said Joanne Wilson, founder and CEO of Gotham. “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.”
Qualified applicants must be at least 51% Black-owned and operated, have operated for one year or more, and must currently have at least one product available commercially. Acceptable product categories include THC and CBD products such as flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, gummies, concentrates, tinctures, and topicals.
The program will end with a live pitch showcase at The Highrise, Gotham’s semi-annual leadership salon produced with Cultivated Media, in October 2026.
Applications are currently open and will close March 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. For complete program details or to submit an application, visit: .
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About Gotham
Gotham, the world’s first cannabis concept store, is a female-founded, mission-driven brand pioneering a new retail era. By curating premium cannabis alongside art, fashion, home goods, and beauty, Gotham transforms dispensaries into discovery and connection destinations. Since launching its flagship in the East Village in 2023, the brand has grown to Hudson, Williamsburg, and most recently Chelsea—where it operates a first-of-its-kind art gallery, Gotham Gallery, within the legal cannabis store. Working to shift the narrative around cannabis consumption, Gotham creates welcoming spaces for local communities and has secured its place within New York’s cultural zeitgeist. Learn more at and follow @gotham.ny for latest products and events.
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Trailblaze for Gotham
SOURCE Gotham