1871 Announces 2024 Winter Innovation Labs: Cannabis & Web3!

In the dynamic landscape of technology and entrepreneurship, 1871 is at the forefront, fostering innovation and connecting key players across the business maturity curve for industry collaboration and transformation. We’re doing just that with our winter 2024 Innovation Labs in cannabis & web3!

Applications are now open to join the Cannabis Innovation Lab and the Web3 Innovation Lab, both launching in January 2024 and running separately throughout the initiatives. The Web3 Innovation Lab is set to redefine the future of Web3 native and decentralized technology, while the Cannabis Innovation Lab explores the rapidly growing and evolving world of cannabis tech. Applications close 12.29.23. 

Why Cannabis & Web3 

Cannabis and Web3, though seemingly different, share connections through emerging technologies and commitment to innovation. The intersection of the two rapidly evolving industries represent a frontier where technology, (Web3), meets a traditionally regulated industry, (cannabis), offering opportunities for increased efficiency, supply chain transparency,  decentralized smart contracts for compliance, and more transformative solutions for both spaces. 

Discover the 2024 Innovation Labs and how you can join as a cohort member or lab partner – more details below! 

“Cannabis and web3 are two industries ripe for disruption with a need for innovation at the foundational level. Our innovation labs seek to bring together top problem solvers in the space to tackle just that,” said Gabby Snedeker, Sr. Director of Innovation Labs at 1871. “While focusing on two vastly different industries, our winter 2024 labs seek to innovate around transparency, supply chain, and payments – in addition to industry-specific focus areas. While each program is unique, we are excited to run them in parallel and see how ‘outside in perspectives’ on similar problems can catalyze innovation.”

Cannabis Innovation Lab: nurturing growth in the cannatech space 

Cannabis is back! Building on the success of its inaugural year, 1871 partners once again with Grown In for the execution of the 2024 Cannabis Innovation Lab, with Grown Ins’ CEO, Brad Spirrison, as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence. 

This lab connects growth-stage startups with late-stage lab partners, corporate innovators, investors, and experts in the cannabis industry to explore the rapidly evolving field of cannatech. This year, the program includes innovation within CBD, THC, and Hemp.

“Focusing on cannabis technology and innovation isn’t just about embracing a burgeoning industry; it’s a potent catalyst for closing the wealth gap. By recognizing the potential of this sector, we not only unlock innovative solutions but also create opportunities for historically marginalized communities to thrive”, said Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871. “We’re thrilled to announce the 2024  Cannabis Innovation Lab in partnership with Grown In. Together, we’ll continue to drive progress, solve problems, and bridge  the chasm of economic disparity with the green shoots of equity and inclusivity.”

Why cannabis? As the legal landscape changes for Cannabis, its demand for innovative solutions to improve the efficiency, product quality, and regulatory compliance within the sector are at an all time high. 

The fusion of cannabis and tech continues to reach new heights, with AI, Web3, and blockchain innovations driving groundbreaking research, unlocking medical potentials, and refining the cannabis experience. From optimizing cultivation to ensuring product safety, cannatech is the game-changer we’ve been waiting for!

The lab breaks down into several focus areas: 

• Finance
• Supply Chain
• Health & Wellness
• Cannabis Beyond Consumption
• All Things Consumers:

Learn more about the program curriculum, 2024 focus areas, and the significance of Cannabis in Chicago at our public information sessions on 12.05 & 12.19, or apply right away!

Web3 Innovation Lab: navigating the decentralized horizon 

Step into the future with Web3 – where users take control, data is yours to own, and the digital landscape is redefined! The Web3 Innovation Lab, a first-of-its-kind initiative at 1871, focuses on the evolution of Web3 native and decentralized technologies and exploring its endless possibilities. 

Partnering with us are the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) Advanced Technology Cluster, and the U.S. Blockchain Coalition, with Arry Yu, co-founder and executive director of U.S. Blockchain Coalition, as our Entrepreneur-in-Residence. 

“1871 is thrilled to introduce the Web3 Innovation Lab, a platform where we’ll harness the potential of Web3 to create new and exciting possibilities for industries worldwide,” said Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871. “This is our way of embracing the future of decentralized technologies and shaping a world that’s more open, secure, and inclusive.”

Why Web3? In a world where tech giants rule, Web3 emerges as the game-changer, tackling data privacy, censorship, and control head-on. The 2024 lab will focus on Web3’s integration in several areas, including enterprise, government, and everyday consumer use cases, with a focus on the critical infrastructure needed to scale innovation. Now is the moment to embrace Web3’s resistance to censorship, dedication to economic inclusion, and its promise of a globally accessible, decentralized internet.

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly transforming digital era, this lab is designed to connect growth-stage startups with late-stage partners, corporate innovators, and industry leaders to collaborate on cutting-edge solutions and gain insights into the latest trends, emerging technologies, and strategic use of Web3 in various industries, including cannabis. 

The lab breaks down into several focus areas: 

• Building Out Digitally Native Middleware
• Layer 0’s and 1’s
• Enabling Enterprise
• Enabling Government
• Use Cases for Normies

Learn more about the program curriculum, 2024 focus areas, and the importance of Web3 at our public information sessions on 12.06 & 12.20, or apply right away!

About the 2024 winter labs

The labs will meet separately for 1 week per month, for 4 months of curated programming, alternating for in-person and virtual experiences from 1.22.24 – 4.19.24. Held throughout the innovation lab programming, our Lab Immersive Weeks are a fusion of collaboration, ideation, and real-world problem solving. Cohort members will participate in 4 weeks of immersed programming —with select events over the course of the programs open to public participation— for curated workshops, panel discussions, and more surrounding industry transformation. 

These immersive weeks are woven into the labs, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for learning and collaboration. The labs end with our capstone-like event, the Web3 Innovation Lab and Cannabis Innovation Lab summits, both happening on 4.18.23 for a full day of curated programming in Web3 and cannatech. Stay tuned for specific dates and locations for public, immersive-week programming!

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