Logo for Life+Science
Courtesy: Life+Science
The proliferation of coworking spaces, like WeWork and The Yard, has reshaped modern corporate culture in the past decade. Mainstream companies have embraced the obvious benefits of sharing infrastructure and costs, along with working near fellow entrepreneurs who are navigating the same business challenges. It’s a networking dream to meet other professionals, combine resources and brainstorm with industry solutions. However, not all exciting and burgeoning industries may stand to benefit from joining the coworking movement. For cannabis entrepreneurs that are navigating a slew of unique regulatory and logistical challenges, a co-location space that offers niche industry solutions with like-minded peers may be a new alternative investment.
The regulated cannabis industry experiences no shortage of great ideas. The common issue that most consumer brands face is bringing their products to market in an efficient and consistent way. Coworking spaces may provide enjoyable perks like unlimited cold brew and team building activities, but co-location spaces will offer tangible operational resources for businesses that are in need of allies in a challenging industry.
Cannabis companies looking to make an indelible mark in the industry need access to people who are experienced in scaling businesses and ramping up supply chain operations while controlling costs. Co-location spaces can help these businesses employ and collaborate with industry experts who can establish foundational logistics, negotiate with suppliers, manage contacts and drive efficiency.
Trusted Sources Saving Resources
A key obstacle that cannabis consumer packaged goods brands have to overcome is finding a trusted manufacturing and supply chain partner. The legal status of cannabis makes it difficult for global supply chain providers to partner with the industry, regardless of how lucrative the product will be down the line. This problem often leaves brands scrambling for connections to reliable smaller cannabis-friendly manufacturers.
Another barrier to growth that young cannabis brands commonly face is feeling the need to specialize in every part of their business. Many consumer brands with exciting ideas have to juggle back-office solutions and manufacturing logistics while trying to network and build a viable brand.
Ori Bytton, a former real estate entrepreneur, recognized these critical opportunity costs in the cannabis consumer industry and founded Natura Life+Science to optimize production, consistency and resources for businesses through an innovative co-location strategy. Under this new industry model, CPG companies will be able to outsource any manufacturing need from seed to sale within Natura’s facility. Entrepreneurs who take advantage of this service will be able to focus their energy and resources on parts of their businesses they’re truly passionate about, like R&D and brand development, instead of being bogged down by logistics.
Natura by the Numbers
Natura’s 265,000 square feet facility in Sacramento will be fully operational later this year and will provide a suite of in-house services including cultivation, manufacturing and extraction, wholesale packaging and distribution, a delivery-only dispensary and marketing services all under one roof. According to the company, the facility will be able to produce upwards of 80,000 pounds of premium dried flower and processing of 750,000 pounds of dry material annually.
Natura raised $91 million to build a vertically-integrated cannabis supply chain that will rival the likes of Unilever and Costco in the consumer marketplace. As the cannabis industry matures and consumer preferences diversify, brands will turn to Natura’s co-location workspace for their dynamic distribution connections and white-labeling services. Natura ultimately offers an attractive solution to efficiently scaling without compromising product quality.
Sacramento is just the beginning. Natura recognizes that cannabis is a worldwide movement and plans to build campuses in multiple locations over the coming years. With these coveted resources, cannabis companies will have the necessary expertise they need to efficiently grow their ventures all while providing an optimal workplace for employees and serving as a true entrepreneurial destination for all.