Ben Kovler, Angel Investor

Ben Kovler is Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Green Thumb Industries (GTI), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer. Since founding GTI in 2014, he has grown it into one of the largest U.S. cannabis operators, with a portfolio of brands including Rythm, Dogwalkers, The Feel Collection, and Beboe, alongside a rapidly expanding chain of retail stores under the Rise™ and Essence banners. GTI operates 13 manufacturing facilities, holds licenses for 96 retail locations across 12 states, and employs more than 1,600 people. Ben is frequently featured as an industry thought leader in outlets such as Bloomberg, Barron’s, Business Insider, CNBC, and Forbes. Beyond GTI, he co‑founded Invest for Kids, a Chicago‑based nonprofit supporting children’s education and welfare, and serves as CIO of Kovpak II, LLC. As an investor, his portfolio includes Agrify, where he led a $25.9M post‑IPO equity round in 2024, reflecting his continued interest in cannabis innovation and cultivation technology.