Episode 16: Future Proofing and Integrated Design with Mitch Galton from UrbanGro

Summary:

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the cannabis industry? Join us in an enlightening discussion with Mitch Galton, Director of Business Development at Urban Gro, as he pulls back the curtain on the highs and lows of navigating the burgeoning field. From conquering the market with speed to circumventing the industry's notorious delays, Mitch shares how Urban Gro's turnkey model is paving the way for success. Plus, he takes us on a trip down memory lane with his fascinating transition into the world of cannabis.

Scaling a 15-person startup to a 200-strong team is no mean feat - Mitch has seen it all. His journey in the horticulture and cannabis sector is filled with defining moments that shaped his career. He takes us from Texas to Canada, discussing the unique challenges that tagged along. With the stringent cultivation policies and retail restrictions in Canada, there's a lot to unpack. Stay tuned as we delve into the complexities of retrofitting cannabis facilities and how Urban Gro is facilitating smooth transitions for its clients.

Ever wondered how LED lighting and genetic selection play crucial roles in cannabis cultivation? Mitch's in-depth insights into these areas will leave you intrigued. He shines a light on the advantages of LED lighting for cultivation, the importance of genetic selection, and the challenges Canadian cultivators face. The conversation isn't only packed with practical insights but also brings to the forefront some thought-provoking questions about the future of the cannabis industry. So, is the industry ready to strike the perfect balance and future-proof cannabis facilities? Join us to find out!

Key Takeaways

0:00 - Urban Gro's Solutions and Challenges
06:45 - Startup Journey and Growth in Texas
10:36 - Canadian Cannabis Market Challenges and Issues
14:45 - Considerations for Retrofitting Cannabis Facilities
26:03 - LED Lighting for Cannabis Cultivation
36:41 - Genetic Selection and Brand Viability
45:09 - Challenges and Considerations in Genetic Selection
49:16 - Future-Proofing Cannabis Facilities

Shareable Quotes

"What we're seeing a lot more of is groups that are already managing canopy. You know they have a facility that they either built you know, maybe even only three, four, five years ago that's kind of outdated or they made an acquisition, probably paid too much in a lot of cases, and now they're trying to kind of go back and make it profitable." - Mitch Galton

"Understanding how your system fits in with the rest of the equipment is really what matters, because you can have the best light, you can have the best rack, but if the grower doesn't have the system or the understanding of how that affects the rest of their system to really utilize it, they're always going to blame the equipment and they're not going to get the results." - Mitch Galton

"Speed to market, but it's once your operational speed to continue staying in market and in production is huge. If your HVAC goes out and you have a room sitting there for two weeks, it doesn't matter if it's the installer's fault, it doesn't matter if it's the manufacturer's fault. You just need to get HVAC up and running and being able to just make one phone call and, you know, be able to for the grower, move on with your day to day and just be sure that it's getting addressed, is huge." - Mitch Galton