TORONTO, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Growpacker Inc. ("Growpacker" or the "Company"), a contract manufacturer of THC- and CBD-infused edibles and beverages in the United States, has announced the launch of its Brand Incubator and Accelerator Program, designed to fast-track both THC and CBD brands sold in California.
The first participating company in the program is CERIA Brewing Company (CERIA), led by co-founders, Jodi Villa, CEO, and Keith Villa, creator and former brewmaster of America’s #1 craft beer, Blue Moon Belgian White. Growpacker anticipates CERIA can quickly become a market leader for dealcoholized cannabis-infused beer in North America, due to the founders’ unique brewing process, custom formulations, great tasting brews and partnerships with top industry advisors.
The new Brand Incubator and Accelerator Program gives Growpacker manufacturing partners the opportunity to leverage the Company’s industry expertise, gain early access to new formulations, receive discounted services and fast-track their market penetration in California. Growpacker retains an equity interest in the participating brands and companies, strategically aligning the interests of both parties and positioning Growpacker as a brand portfolio company, in addition to leading co-packer.
“We look forward to introducing this innovative new product category to America’s largest cannabis market through Growpacker's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and distribution network,” said Keith Villa. “As the leading co-packer in cannabis, Growpacker is helping tomorrow’s brand names grow and scale commercially, while also accelerating the evolution of California’s adult-use market.”
CERIA’s Grainwave Belgian Style White Ale, a THC-infused dealcoholized craft beer, was introduced in Colorado in December 2018. The company’s first limited production run immediately sold out, and the brand is experiencing increasing consumer enthusiasm and trial. Growpacker and CERIA are planning to officially launch the beverage in California soon.
In May 2018, CERIA announced its partnership with respected global beverage industry advisors InterContinental Beverage Capital (IBC), to help commercialize the product and secure distribution. IBC has deep executive experience with companies such as Molson Coors, Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Diageo, Red Bull and other global and U.S. beverage companies.
“As our first incubator and accelerator brand, CERIA Brewing Company arrives at a transformational stage in our company’s evolution,” said Stephen Boyd, CEO of Growpacker. “We are excited to begin this journey with CERIA, and work with their talented team as they move their momentum across the country, establishing their market presence in California. We have seen tremendous interest in this incubator program and look forward to building one of North America’s largest portfolios of innovative cannabis brands.”
In addition to being part of Growpacker’s incubator and accelerator program, Keith Villa will serve as a strategic advisor to Growpacker for its cannabis beverage category, where he will play a key role in developing the dealcoholized THC-infused beverage segment, which is expected to become one of the fastest growing segments in the industry.
About Growpacker
Growpacker Inc., is a Canadian based company which, through its American interest in GP Holdings LLC, is engaged in expanding the ancillary side of the California cannabis industry through offering local and international brands key services such as formulation, manufacturing, co-packing, and distribution of THC and CBD infused beverages and edibles within the State of California. In addition to its core co-packing business, Growpacker also operates an incubator and accelerator program that fast tracks emerging cannabis brands and ancillary companies in California.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding Growpacker’s future, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believe”, “expect”, “aim”, “intend”, “plan”, “continue”, “will”, “may”, “would”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “predict”, “project”, “seek”, “should” or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Growpacker’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Growpacker. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Growpacker assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.
