David Hua

Peep this legend David Hua, this guy’s the real deal in the cannabis space and tech. He’s a straight-up startup hustler who jumped into the game when it wasn’t even a thing yet. Dude was part of YC W15, the Winter batch of 2015, and he was the first startup they backed in the cannabis world. That’s no small feat, shows he’s willing to jump into the deep end and build something legit from scratch.

Before all this, David’s had a pretty solid track record. He’s dipped his toes into a bunch of companies, from online commerce with Provide Commerce and Sincerely, to health stuff at HealthCentral, and even some interactive projects at Genesis Interactive. Plus, he’s got experience at Citigroup, so he’s no stranger to the big leagues. Basically, he’s been around, learned what it takes to run things, and figured out how to build tech that actually moves the needle.

But what really makes him stand out is Meadow. He co-founded this software company in 2014, right when the California cannabis scene was starting to heat up. Meadow’s all about making dispensary operations smoother, point-of-sale, compliance, all that jazz. And get this, it was the first YC-backed startup to operate in the cannabis industry. That’s some advanced hustle. He saw the opportunity, jumped in, and crushed it.

David isn’t just about building a business, he’s a legit advocate. He’s on the boards of the California Cannabis Industry Association and the Cannabis Distribution Association, basically fighting the good fight for the industry, making sure it’s fair, compliant, and accessible. He’s all about pushing for regulation that works, operational efficiency, and making sure everyone gets a fair shot in this booming sector.

And the dude’s not just about tech and business, he’s also innovating in financing for the cannabis world. Created Cannabis Safe, an open-source doc to help cannabis businesses with funding, no bullshit, just making things easier for the industry to grow without the usual headaches.

So, what’s his vibe? He’s a guy who saw an industry that was still figuring itself out, and instead of waiting around, he built tools, fought for regulation, and pushed the industry forward. He’s motivated by making cannabis legit, fast, and fair, not just for himself but for everyone involved.

Bottom line, David Hua is one of those founders who saw a problem, jumped into the chaos, and built something that actually matters. He’s a connector, a builder, a fighter, and a total OG in the cannabis startup world. No cap, the guy’s only just getting started.