Celebrity-Backed Dutchie Startup Raises $15 Million

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]D[/dropcap]utchie, a Bend, Oregon-based startup, has raised $15 million in Series A funding from investors and venture capital firms backed by Snoop Dogg and Kevin Durant.

Founded in 2017, Dutchie provides a service that allows for cannabis purchases online for delivery or pickup from local dispensaries. Dutchie currently works with 450 dispensaries across 18 different states. According to the company, Dutchie has reached $140 million in annual gross merchandise volume.

“We’re thrilled to have such a great group of investors to help guide us through this next phase of the business,” said Ross Lipson, CEO and co-founder of Dutchie. “Scaling a company has its share of challenges, especially in an emerging new industry; however, having seasoned investors in our corner who can lend their experience and expertise will help us take Dutchie to the next level.”

In addition to Snoop Dogg and Kevin Durant’s venture capital firms, Dutchie received funding from Gron Ventures, Shutterstock founder and CEO Jon Oringer, as well as the founders of DoorDash. After receiving $3 million last year in venture capital, Dutchie’s total investment is $18 million, which will be used to hire “top talent,” develop products and attracting new customers.

“Dutchie’s remarkable growth is a product of the value it is adding to dispensaries as a revenue-driving partner, and a majority of leading multi-state operators are already on the platform,” said Wilder Ramsey, managing partner at Gron Ventures.

Snoop Dogg and Kevin Durant join the ever-growing list of celebrities and athletes doing their part to enter the booming cannabis industry. Former Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson and Robert Sims have started their own cannabis brand and former Detroit Red Wing Darren McCarty has partnered with a cannabis company to help advocate for cannabis.