Wikileaf
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cannabis data solutions |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Dan Nelson |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | United States (11 states) |
Key people | Dan Nelson (founder) |
| Products | Cannabis price indexes, strain reviews, dispensary menu listings, mobile app |
Number of employees | 7 (2016) |
| Parent | Nesta Holding Co. Ltd. |
| Website | wikileaf |
Wikileaf Technologies is a company headquartered in Seattle that specializes in providing data solutions to the cannabis sector and delivering information directly to consumers. Its services include price indexes and detailed reviews of cannabis strains.
Background
Established in 2014 by Dan Nelson in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, Wikileaf debuted shortly before Washington state enacted adult-use cannabis legalization through Initiative 502. In the same year, Entrepreneur Magazine honored it as one of the Most Brilliant Business Ideas. By 2016, with a team of seven employees, the company was acquired by Nesta, a Canadian private equity firm with a focus on cannabis investments, founded by Chuck Rifici, who also co-founded Canopy Growth Corporation.
Wikileaf operates an online platform allowing users of both medical and recreational marijuana to compare dispensary menus and pricing, as well as explore information on various cannabis strains. Covering dispensaries in eleven states, it has been dubbed "The Priceline of Pot" due to its reverse auction system where customers set their budget and dispensaries respond with the maximum product quantity available.
On May 2, 2016, Nesta Holding Co. Ltd. completed the acquisition of Wikileaf, enhancing its footprint within the legalized cannabis industry. The following year, Wikileaf introduced the first-ever in-flight cannabis advertisement aboard Virgin America flights. In 2018, it undertook efforts to eliminate listings of illegal dispensaries from its platform.
In 2019, Wikileaf secured $6.8 million in investment capital and revealed intentions to establish satellite offices in regions with dense dispensary populations and newly legalized markets. Later that year, it went public on the Canadian Securities Exchange through a reverse takeover of an existing entity.
Business model
Wikileaf offers dispensaries complimentary menu pages where they can display their products and pricing information. Its revenue strategy involves monetizing through premium listing options and geo-targeted advertising aimed at dispensaries seeking increased exposure.
Use
Consumers primarily utilize Wikileaf to:
- Compare local dispensary prices and menus.
- Submit reviews regarding product quality, customer service, and atmosphere.
- Investigate cannabis strains based on factors such as recommended consumption timing, strain type (Indica, Sativa, Hybrid), THC levels, medicinal applications, effects, and user feedback.
Mobile usage
The Wikileaf mobile application was released for Android devices on October 17, 2016, followed by an iOS version on November 9, 2016.
See also
- Leafly, a Seattle-based website offering cannabis consumer information
- Weedmaps, a platform providing cannabis pricing and mapping services