Nabis in the Press

How a Facebook engineer and a Microsoft engineer cofounded one of California's top cannabis distributors

Vince Ning and Jun Lee have been best friends since they were 13. In 2017, after years of working in software development in Silicon Valley, the duo decided to come together and cofound cannabis distribution brand — and have since managed to grow it into a behemoth that serves 99% of licensed retailers in California.

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We’re building an inclusive cannabis space, where all brands have equal access to opportunity. We strive to live by these same values inside the Nabis workspace.

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We’re building an inclusive cannabis space, where all brands have equal access to opportunity. We strive to live by these same values inside the Nabis workspace.

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We’re building an inclusive cannabis space, where all brands have equal access to opportunity. We strive to live by these same values inside the Nabis workspace.

Article Title

We’re building an inclusive cannabis space, where all brands have equal access to opportunity. We strive to live by these same values inside the Nabis workspace.

Article Title

We’re building an inclusive cannabis space, where all brands have equal access to opportunity. We strive to live by these same values inside the Nabis workspace.

Nabis Triples Capacity With New SoCal Fulfillment Center, Adds Partnerships

Cision • June 2021

The 20,000 square-foot facility in Los Angeles allows Nabis to store three times the amount of product as its previous facility location. Nabis recently added State Flower, Space Coyote, and Wana Brands to their marketplace platform.

Asian Americans Sitting Atop the Cannabis Industry

LA Weekly • May 2021

Ning said he’s solely focused on winning on a merit basis. But he is glad to have a platform for his community in these recent times where they’ve faced a new wave of discrimination.

Nabis Announces API Integration Partnership with Jane Technologies

Cannabis Business Executive • May 2021

Nabis, one of California's largest licensed cannabis wholesale distributors, is partnering with Jane Technologies to incorporate verified consumer reviews from Jane's industry-leading e-commerce platform into product listings on the Nabis Marketplace.

Conscious Consumption

Emerald Cannabis News & Culture • May 2021

100+ Asian-Owned Cannabis Businesses to Support Right now.

Mary Jane Is on the Move

The Hustle: Trends • April, 2021

Cannabis distribution is set to explode. We spoke to Vince Ning, the founder and CEO of Nabis, a distributor that ships ~10% of all cannabis products in California.

What does 420 mean to you?

MJ Brand Insights • April 2021

The highest holiday is upon us and we thought we’d celebrate by asking some of our favorite cannabis industry insiders about the significance of 4/20.

California's Cannabis Market: What Investors & Entrepreneurs Need to Know

Benzinga • April 2021

"The sophistication and specialization of the infrastructure–manufacturing, distribution and retail–that lowers the go-to-market cost of launching new brands and leaves plenty of opportunities for investors to participate in this rapidly growing industry." - Ning

California Cannabis Distributor Nabis Announces Appointments of Three Key Company Advisors

Morningstar • March 2021

Nabis, one of California's largest licensed cannabis distributors, announced the appointment of three new advisors: Anthony Chen, Elizabeth Cooper and Ron Suber, who will support the company's next stage of strategic growth.

Cannabis entrepreneurs gear up for legalization

Reuters • March 2021

Driven by a surge in cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic, industry entrepreneurs and investors are gearing up for even greater growth as legalization spreads and the economy reopens.

Nabis Announces Exclusive Distribution Partnership with PLUS Products

mg Magazine • March 2021

"Nabis brings a unique blend of technology, fulfilment logistics, and general brand support that enables their self-service model to be as successful as possible for their partners." - Jake Heimark, CEO of PLUS

Outages involving California's traceability system 'causing a lot of heartburn' for cannabis companies

Marijuana Business Daily • March 2021

Problems with California’s seed-to-sale tracking system are causing cannabis companies to spend thousands of dollars in extra time and money to remain in compliance with state regulations.

How Slotting Fees Have Shaped Cannabis Retail & Why That Might Be Changing

MJ Brand Insights • March 2021

In 2019 and 2020, frill-type services like slotting fees started to go away. People realized that what lasts is true value, not just what you can pay for.

This California Cannabis Company Is Distributing $250 Million of Product Annually

New Cannabis Ventures • March 2021

Co-Founder and President Jun Lee spoke with New Cannabis Ventures about the Nabis network, expanding beyond California and creating a different kind of distribution model.

Nabis Expands with New Service Offerings, Head of Business Development

Yahoo Finance • March 2021

Tech-Driven Cannabis Distributor Advance Strategic Growth with Introduction of Wholesale E-Commerce Platform and New Hire

Why Work at Startup? Nabis - 2021 Y Combinator Top Company

Y Combinator Top Company • February 2021

If you’re looking for a job at one of our top companies and other up-and-coming YC startups, sign up on Y Combinator's jobs portal, Work at a Startup.

Nabis nails wholesale cannabis delivery in California. What's next for Vince Ning and Jun Sup Lee?

MJ Brand Insights • February 2021

“It’s like an Amazon Prime-level experience for retailers,” Ning said. “We take an Amazon approach to make sure the customers are delighted — brands and retailers both. As a distributor, we’re here to provide choice and access.”

Tech and Logistics Solutions for Cannabis Brands

Trichomes • February 2021

RJ Balde talked to Vincent Ning, Founder and CEO of the cannabis software and logistics company, Nabis, about the much-needed tech and logistics solutions for cannabis brands

State Treasurer Fiona Ma Cuts Ribbon at California's Newest Cannabis Distribution Facility

LA Weekly • February 2021

Ma has consistently supported the cannabis industry gaining access to proper financial services throughout her career. From her days at the Board of Equalization to today, she’s a good person to have on the team if you’re a cannabis company with dreams of a normal banking account.

California cannabis agency creates uproar by revoking 300-plus business permits, then reinstates most

Marijuana Business Daily • February 2021

California’s top cannabis regulatory agency sent shockwaves through the state’s marijuana industry on Monday and Tuesday after it inexplicably revoked the licenses of more than 300 businesses.

Nabis Expands into 26,000-Square-Foot Oakland Cannabis Distribution Hub

Morningstar • January 2021

California's leading cannabis product wholesale distributor Nabis more than triples its storage and fulfillment capabilities to meet surging demand. Fitted with state-of-the-art security and operational equipment, the move provides Nabis with the extra storage space needed to continue integrating new brands into its compliant, rapid wholesale delivery service.

YC Top Companies • 2021

Y Combinator • January 2021

This is the list of the top Y Combinator companies by valuation and top exits as of January 2021. Nabis has made the list alongside global companies like Airbnb and Doordash. Congratulations to the Nabis team!

Cannabis Industry Leaders Share Predictions for 2021

Benzinga • January 2021

Cannabis world luminaries share predictions about the California cannabis market in 2021. Here are some of favorites.

Industry Leaders' Predictions for 2021

WeedWeek • December 2020

2021 will be the year of the cannabis brand. Top talent and more funding coming to the cannabis industry means that there will be a proliferation of brands on the market.

30 Under 30 List 2021

Forbes 30 Under 30 • December 2020

Based in Oakland, Nabis provides software and logistics for cannabis distributors in California, allowing them to ship wholesale orders within 36 hours — a requirement in high demand as more states legalize marijuana. It is the brainchild of Vince Ning and Jun Sup Lee, both 27, who launched the company in 2017.

Planting the Seeds of a Cannabis Supply Chain

Supply Chain Dive • November 2020

Not every state has a market of distribution options that is as mature as what's in California, helping businesses that are just starting out reduce their capital expenditures and their initial operational expenditures by not having to have a vehicle and have all the tracking software in it.

Nabis Raises $5 Million To Take The Cannabis Industry To A New High

Forbes • November 2020

Nabis plans to pursue a three-pronged strategy to further grow its business with the Series A funding it has raised. The three facets are economic, social, and environmental.

The Evolution of Cannabis Distribution During a Global Pandemic

Growth • October 2020

This session centers around how Nabis’s relationship with Beezle has changed since partnering up in 2018, and how they’ve worked together to navigate the nuances of the supply chain since then.

Streamlining Dispensary Operations

Meadowlands • October 2020

Insights from successful California operators on ways to make margins within the margins and streamline operations for success.

Nabis raises $5m Series A to grow its cannabis distribution platform

TechCrunch • October 2020

The cannabis industry is quickly growing up, and companies like Nabis play a critical role. Today, the company is announcing it raised $5 million in Series A funding, which will help it grow and expand its offering.

Nabis Announces Partnership with Pabst Labs to Distribute PBR Cannabis Infused Seltzer Within California

Yahoo • October 2020

Nabis, California's largest software-enabled cannabis distributor, announced that the company has entered into an exclusive partnership with Pabst Labs to distribute Pabst Blue Ribbon Cannabis Infused Seltzer across California.

Nabis Announces Exclusive Partnership with dosist™ to Distribute All THC Products in California

PR Newswire • October 2020

Nabis, California's fastest growing software-driven cannabis distributor, announced today that the company entered into a definitive agreement with dosist in early 2020 to provide exclusive distribution for their cannabis products in California.

Nabis Benefits Case Study

Bennie • August 2020

Zoey is the Head of People at Nabis. In this case study with Bennie, she shares her insights on the quirks and challenges of running an HR department in the cannabis industry, all while balancing employee-safety in a global pandemic.

"Stay at Home" Speaker Series

Growth • August 2020

Vince Ning, CEO & Co-founder of Nabis, gives the latest updates on the company and his views on the cannabis market. Nabis is one of the largest third party distributors working with over 80 cannabis brands and delivering to 99% of retailers across the state of California.

Nabis Announces Strategic Partnership with Bloom to Distribute Products within California

Associated Press (AP) • August 2020

Nabis, one of California’s largest licensed cannabis distributors, announced that the company has entered into an exclusive partnership with leading cannabis company Capna Intellectual (dba Bloom) to distribute Bloom branded products across California.

Nabis and NUG to Enter Exclusive Distribution Partnership Re: Civil Unrest

PR Newswire • July 2020

Nabis, one of California's most prominent cannabis distributors, announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with a vertically-integrated cannabis operator, NUG, to provide exclusive distribution for all of its cannabis products in California.

You Know What Else Had Sold Well During the Pandemic? Weed Edibles

The New York Times • July 2020

Pandemic anxiety and mounting concerns about vaping have helped shift sales of cannabis products. Vince Ning, the founder and C.E.O. of Nabis, a wholesale cannabis distributor in California, said that, as a possible result of “health-conscious” consumerism, his company has also seen an increase in sales of edibles.

Cannabis Brand New Normal Entersr Partnership with Nabis Distribution

Benzinga • June 2020

Formed by a group of industry veterans and Fortune 500 talent from companies like Apple, Google, LVMH, and Alibaba, New Normal's ambitions are nothing short of substantial. The high-end cannabis brand has its sights set on 150 dispensaries across California by the end of 2020, with a multistate expansion planned for 2021. To this end, in June 2020, New Normal will enter a partnership with one of California's largest cannabis distributors, Nabis, to ensure the best delivery experience.

Cannabis and Coronavirus: The New Normal-ish

mg Magazine • June 2020

Distributor Nabis, based in Oakland, California, announced its new Nabis Tracker technology, which is available to retail partners free-of-charge. The company also stated its commitment to safety during the pandemic, as well as increased support for cannabis social equity initiatives and advocacy group Black Lives Matter.

Nabis Announces New Delivery Tracking Portal to Bolster Cannabis Distribution Safety

Yahoo Finance • June 2020

Nabis, one of California's largest licensed Cannabis Distributors, announced that the company has launched an entirely free software platform -- Nabis Tracker, a centralized portal for Retailer partners to Confirm Deliveries, Track Driver Status, Communicate in Real-Time with Drivers, and Manage Orders and Invoices -- to support transparency, communication, and ensure safety for both Retail Partners and Nabis employees.

2020 Distribution Management Conference

Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) • May 2020

Founded in 1876 and for the first time in its history, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) has invited operators from the cannabis industry to speak at the HDA's Annual Distribution Management Conference. Learn from Vince Ning (CEO) and Tom McBrearty (Head of Compliance) as they speak about the newly legalizing cannabis industry and how it affects operators in the traditional healthcare industry.

CDA Welcomes New Members to 2020 Board of Directors

Cannabis Distribution Association (CDA) • May 2020

The Cannabis Distribution Association (CDA) and its members, who collectively supply a significant portion of the California cannabis market, announced and welcomed three newly elected members to the organization's 2020 Board of Directors: Vince Ning (Nabis), Jennifer Gallerani (Blackbird), and Mike Beaudry (HERBL).

Cannabis Distributors in California

Cannabis Legalization News • April 2020

In California, all cannabis products must be bought through a distributor. Distributors are responsible for making sure cannabis products are compliant in terms of testing, labeling, and packaging. Today we’re joined by Vince Ning from NABIS to discuss California’s unique cannabis regulation model.

250+ Companies Powering the Cannabis Software Industry

Canopy Rivers • April 2020

Following decades of prohibition and patchwork regulations, many established software solutions have not yet been applied to the cannabis sector. This has paved the way for specialized cannabis start-ups which are becoming the “picks-and-shovels”, or underlying technology, for the sector.

Pot shops are considered 'essentials' businesses in most states where it's legal, but the rules are shifting

Market Watch • April 2020

When California became the first state to issue a shelter-in-place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it set another standard by declaring cannabis an “essential business.”

Nabis Announces Strategic Partnership with Cookies to Distribute Products Within California

Morningstar • April 2020

Nabis, one of California's largest licensed Cannabis Distributors, announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with global cannabis culture leader, Cookies, to provide distribution for their cannabis products in California.

Cannabis Distribution: Where Are WeNow and Where Are We Headed?

Cannablurbs • October 2019

Many recognize California’s emergence as the largest, most vibrant cannabis market in the world, with spectacular growth and constant innovation in new brands and products.

Nabis Advances Through Shifting Legislation with Experienced Legal Guidance

Atrium • August 2019

Nabis is a leading distributor of cannabis products servicing hundreds of licensed businesses in California. The unique legal challenges in scaling a business like Nabis are essentially woven into every operational component of their business model.

Nabis named to Entrepreneur's Top 100 Cannabis Companies List

Green Entrepreneur • August 2019

Nabis has been selected for the first-annual Entrepreneur 'Green 100' List, which salutes cannabis companies making the greatest impact in the industry.

Nabis to Supply California Dispensaries with Halo Labs Branded Products

Daily Marijuana Observer • August 2019

Halo Labs Inc. announces a major distribution agreement with one of California's largest full-service Cannabis product distributors, Nabis, to supply California dispensaries with Halo's full assortment of branded products.

Capital for access: the developing two-day marijuana road between California and Canada

Marijuana Business Daily • August 2019

It's no secret that the number of business relationships between American and Canadian cannabis interests has skyrocketed since federal legalization went into effect north of the U.S. border. From a high-level perspective it's a simple trade:

Infographics: Cannabis Purchasing Habits via Delivery and in Dispensaries

Benzinga • August 2019

With conversations surrounding the legality of cannabis delivery services ramping up in California, cannabis distribution company Nabis has pulled unique data to examine the purchasing behavior of delivery services and storefront dispensaries since October 2018.

More Sophisticated Supply Chains

National Cannabis Industry Association • May 2019

We talk about how the cannabis industry’s structure is maturing. We started off seeing vertical industries where companies were required to grow, process, and sell their own cannabis, but now we’re seeing more sophisticated supply chains which include distributors, like Nabis.

International Cannabrands Announces Distribution Deal with Nabis

Bloomberg • May 2019

International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: JUJU) is pleased to announce that the Company's largest operating company has signed a major distribution arrangement with Nabis.

Nabis Announces Executive Decision Partnership with Genius and Sonder

Business Insider • May 2019

Nabis announced two new brand partners—Genius Brand and Sonder—with a definitive agreement to provide exclusive distribution and limited sales.

Hall of Flowers: Acquisitions and Celebrity Cannabis Debuts

Forbes • May 2019

Design-forward cannabis brand Genius launched a collection of flower, pre-rolls and concentrates and will enter into retail outlets through Nabis’ distribution services.

Nabis Announces Strategic Partnership with THC Design for Exclusive Distribution Rights within California

Yahoo Finance • April 2019

Nabis announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with THC Design to provide exclusive distribution for their cannabis products in California.

California Cannabis Distributor Nabis Raises $4 Million

New Cannabis Ventures • March 2019

Nabis, one of California’s largest Cannabis Distributors, announced they’ve raised $4 million during their second round of financing which officially closed in March 2019.

California Cannabis Distributor Nabis Raises Over $5.25 Million

Green Rush Daily • March 2019

Nabis plans to use the capital toward a number of strategic objectives. First, Nabis wants to scale up its California distribution operation, especially in southern California.

Our 9 favorite startups from Y Combinator W19 Demo Day

TechCrunch • March 2019

Quirky regulation creates efficiency gaps in the marijuana business where incumbents can’t participate since they’re not allowed to handle the flower.

All 88 Companies from Y Combinator's W19 Demo Day 2

TechCrunch • March 2019

Nabis is tackling the cannabis shipping and logistics business, working with suppliers to ship out goods to retailers reliably.

Cannabis Startups with Y Combinator Backing Go From Seed to Weed

The Wall Street Journal • March 2019

he accelerator becomes Silicon Valley’s first major venture firm to back ‘plant-touching’ companies.

Meet 5 Companies from the YC W19 Batch Part 6

Y Combinator Blog • March 2019

They’ve built one of the first logistics software platforms in the industry to help scale 40 of the largest brands in California and ship their products to 90% of retailers.

The Real Problem in Cannabis: Cash Flow

High Times • March 2019

Operators are adapting to the latest compliance rules, but there’s still a major problem with actually staying afloat as a cannabis business in 2019: cash flow.

Navigating the Waters of Investment and VC Funding

Blunt Business • November 2018

Blunt Business speaks about how Nabis has been navigating the waters of investment and VC funding to get the company to where it is today.

Nabis Is Helping Leading California Cannabis Brands Scale

New Cannabis Ventures • November 2018

Ning speaks with New Cannabis Ventures about his company’s tech-enabled business model, the upcoming Series A and expectations for growth.

Macroeconomic analysis and US Cannabis comparison

Midas Letter Live • October 2018

Midas Letter RAW highlights the stocks and stories to watch in the Canadian markets today.

Cannabis Startup Founders on Legalization and Industry Trends

Y Combinator Blog • October 2018

Vincent Ning is CEO and cofounder of Nabis. Nabis is a cannabis services group. They offer distribution, logistics, sales, and marketing.

California Cannabis Distributor Nabis Raises $1.25 Million

New Cannabis Ventures • October 2018

Nabis, Cannabis Distributor, Raises Seed Round from Silicon Valley’s Elite Investors to Scale the Cannabis Supply Chain.

California Cannabis Distributor Nabis Raises $1.25 Million

Stanford University • October 2018

Vincent Ning speaks about the challenges of operating in the regulated cannabis market in California with a panel of industry experts.

This Highly Regulated Industry Did Not Stop These Founders

Forbes 30 Under 30 • September 2018

Vincent Ning, 25, and Jun S. Lee, 25, observed an unmet need in this newly legalized and booming industry and founded Nabis to address the issue.

Nabis Raises Seed Round from Silicon Valley's Elite Investors

Yahoo Finance • September 2018

Nabis, one of California's largest Type 11 Cannabis Distributors, raised a $1.25M seed round from Silicon Valley's elite investors.

Nabis Raises Seed Round to Scale the Cannabis Supply Chain

MarketWatch • October 2018

Nabis provides cannabis brands and cultivators with a full suite of distribution services around logistics, sales, and software.