Azuca has launched a social equity program aimed at empowering social equity entrepreneurs and micro license holders. 

The program’s inaugural fellow is ButACake CEO Matha Figaro, who recently brought Hibiscus Elixir, utilizing Azuca’s new RTD ACTiVATOR designed for cannabis beverages, to market. 

“Azuca’s new social equity program aims to create a level playing field in cannabis and support deserving entrepreneurs in their innovation efforts,” said Kim Sanchez Rael, CEO, Azuca. “We recognize the challenges faced by social equity and new micro license holders, and we’re committed to providing the tools they need to survive and thrive. We couldn’t have found a better partner in Matha. She’s a rock star helping us work towards building a more inclusive and equitable industry.”

As part of the fellowship, Azuca has worked with Figaro and her team to ensure a competitive edge in the market through ingredient and formulation support, advisory access and overarching opportunity to scale her business and boost sales. Among ButACake’s recent success in the edibles space:

• Reached 16,500 patients in Delaware since launching in July
• Sold over 5,000 units in Delaware –– all powered by Azuca’s TiME INFUSION –– from May to September 2023
• Besides Delaware’s medical market, ButACake made its long-awaited debut in New Jersey in December 2023, marking the first independent operator in New Jersey to bring an edible product to stores, and the first minority and women-owned business owner to do so. 

The partnership is set to evolve with CannPowerment in 2024, and this expansion will enable ButACake, under Figaro’s leadership, to collaborate with cannabis manufacturers nationwide, aiding minority and women-owned businesses in making quality cannabis ingestibles more accessible.

“Partnering with Azuca has allowed us to bring our vision to life,” Figaro said. “Not only have I received valuable support and mentorship, but I had the opportunity to bring new and truly special products to market. Although the journey from legacy to legal hasn’t been easy, I’m grateful to collaborate with the female-led team at Azuca, who share similar values and vision to make cannabis edibles accessible and approachable. We are just scratching the surface. With CannPowerment coming online, we will be able to touch even more companies who started out in a similar position to ButACake.”

Figaro, a first-generation Haitian-American and trained pastry chef from Jersey City, founded ButACake in 2016. An emerging startup in the legal cannabis industry, ButACake has almost a decade of legacy experience. Currently, ButACake produces Botanical Elixirs (available in Hibiscus and Peach), infused PB&J Brownies, infused Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, all available in Columbia Care’s Delaware stores. Ginger peach-flavored oral dissolvable strips are the first of a series of products that are now available at independent dispensaries across New Jersey.

Figaro is also CEO of CannPowerment, which is poised to become the first minority women-owned cannabis product manufacturer in New Jersey. Figaro co-founded CannPowerment alongside the company’s CRO James Barrett. The two have been best friends since third grade. CannPowerment empowers companies in launching new products or expanding their existing product lines quickly, cost-effectively and with high quality. They take care of all the manufacturing processes, including product formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling and distribution.

Companies interested in exploring opportunities with CannPowerment and working alongside Azuca are encouraged to reach out directly to Figaro at matha@cannpowerment.com.