Turning Diverse Visions into Success
Program Overview
The Gotham Growth Project is a 6-session, high-impact accelerator designed for growth-stage consumer-product founders in the NY cannabis market who are actively selling cannabis products through licensed dispensaries, retail partners, or regulated marketplaces. The program supports founders who are preparing to scale, expand, or stabilize their businesses and provides clarity, structure, and execution support.
Scale
Expand
Stabilize
Meet The Inaugural Cohort
Four New York brands. Say hello to the brands behind our first class.
High Priestess
Ashley Jelks (She/Her)
@highpriestess.cann
High Priestess is an independent Brooklyn-based cannabis brand founded and run entirely by Ashley Jelks. Three years in and newly launched in the NYC market, High Priestess entered the program available in four retailers and expanded to six by the end of May, building toward $200K+ in monthly sales. With one of the most fully formed brand identities in the New York market and the broadest product portfolio in the GGP cohort, Jelks is now building the retail relationships, marketing infrastructure, and scaling playbook to carry High Priestess into the top 20 preroll brands in New York State.
Arriving July 31st at Gotham
Söze
Jacobi Holland (He/Him)
& Tamer Mohamed (He/Him)
@soze__co
Söze is a New York-based, 100% founder-owned pre-roll brand built by co-founders Jacobi Holland and Tamer Mohamed. Jacobi leads commercial operations while Tamer leads a world-class supply chain.
With $300K+ in annual revenue, two years in operation, and a team of 5–10, Söze is the most operationally mature brand in the Gotham Growth Project cohort. The brand is targeting $2M in New York revenue in 2026 and planning licensing deals into two new markets by summer.
Shop Now at Gotham
Terracotta
Damaris Suarez (She/Her)
@thisisterracotta
Terracotta is a legacy-founded, design-forward cannabis brand born from an Afro-Caribbean perspective and rooted in New York City. Founded by Damaris Suarez, Terracotta enters its second year with over $160K in Year 1 retail sales, a growing dispensary footprint. With elevated aesthetics and cultural intentionality, Terracotta is building toward a full cannabis lifestyle brand, from pre-rolls and flower to accessories and homeware. Through Gotham Growth Project, Suarez is sharpening her financial acumen, operational systems, and retail strategy to support the next phase of growth.
Arriving July 31st at Gotham
Hi Intentions
Donald Harrison (He/Him)
@hi.intentions
Hi Intentions is a Queens-based cannabis company founded by Donald Harrison, a graduate of the Medgar Evers College Cannabis Studies Program and one of the few cohort members bringing farm-to-product experience to the table. Having received a Micro license and completed an outdoor harvest, Harrison and his team are now gearing up to launch the Hi Intentions infused tea, with future plans to expand. Structured for growth from day one with leadership across compliance, sales, and investment, Hi Intentions is built for the long game.
Arriving This Fall at Gotham
About This Cohort
This inaugural cohort is dedicated to supporting Black-owned cannabis businesses. Future cohorts will expand to additional underserved communities. The Gotham Growth Project is committed to advancing equitable ownership and opportunity within regulated markets.
Who
Who is GGP for?
- Individuals with decision-making authority
- Active, legally formed businesses that have been operating for 1 year or more
- Brands that have at least one product currently in the market
- Brands that can demonstrate customer demand or early traction
- Individuals and businesses with a willingness to commit to all program sessions
- Individuals and businesses who have completed the GGP application and readiness assessment
- The inaugural cohort is open to founders based in New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester County, and Long Island
What will you gain from GGP?
- Clarified brand foundation and stronger market positioning
- Improved product offerings aligned with customer needs
- Stronger operational systems and compliance readiness
- Retail and distribution strategy built for sell-through
- Financial modeling and understanding of essential metrics
- A 6 to 12-month actionable growth plan
- Access to the Gotham NYC network and peer community
- Guaranteed opportunity to sell product at Gotham stores
What
Program Structure and Curriculum
Session 1
Brand Foundation and Leadership
Clarify your brand story, mission, customer understanding, and internal alignment.
Session 2
Product Development and Market Alignment
Evaluate your product line, retail expectations, packaging, and compliance requirements.
Session 3
Operations, Risk Management & Sales
Build scalable systems, improve operations, and connect process to revenue.
Session 4
Retail Partnerships, Distribution and the Customer
Understand retail buying criteria, distribution pathways, and customer behavior.
Session 5
Finance, Funding and Metrics
Master cash flow, financial basics, funding pathways, and essential KPIs.
Session 6
Growth Strategy, Implementation and Pitch Preparation
Develop your strategy, timeline, pitch narrative, and next steps.
Application & Readiness Assessment
Founders are selected based on eligibility, alignment with the program’s mission, readiness, and growth potential.
The application and readiness assessment evaluates strengths, gaps, and overall fit. A perfect score is not required. This is a baseline tool.
- Business details
- Operating verification (1-year minimum)
- Product overview
- Market traction
- Vision and goals
- Readiness Assessment
- Optional demographic information
- Video Submission and references
Applications Are Now Closed
Stay tuned for updates on our inaugural GGP and announcements of future cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Six sessions delivered over 8 to 9 weeks.
Yes. At least 1 year.
Yes. The inaugural program invites Black-owned businesses (“Black-owned” refers to businesses with at least 51% ownership, control, or leadership by individuals who identify as Black, African American, Afro-Caribbean, African, or multiracial with Black ancestry) from underserved communities who reside in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island to apply.
Yes. Future cohorts will support additional underserved and underrepresented groups.
No Funding or Financial Guarantee
The Gotham Growth Project is an education and resource-based program. It does not provide grants, loans, equity investment, or any other form of direct financial assistance. Participation in the program, including mentorship, instruction, introductions, or visibility opportunities, should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of financing, retail placement, investment, commercial partnerships, or specific business outcomes. Any introductions to third parties are provided solely as networking opportunities, and Gotham NYC makes no representations regarding the actions, decisions, or availability of external partners, retailers, or funding sources.
All program content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or business advice. Participants remain solely responsible for their own decisions and business operations. Gotham NYC does not verify or warrant the accuracy of participant submissions and retains full discretion over cohort selection based on mission alignment, readiness, and program criteria.