Caribbean Tech Maven Ingrid Riley, who kickstarted Jamaica’s Tech Startup Community and facilitated and promoted tech entrepreneurship and innovation across the Region, is taking her 15 years experience in Technology to Medical Cannabis Industry.
“Cannabis has a stigma, awareness, and business inclusiveness problem, so I want to help change that, by connecting people to the wellness and wealth opportunities in the Industry,” Riley who won a Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica ( PSOJ) 50 Under 50 Game Changer Award for her pioneering work with tech startups.
Now based between New York and Kingston, Jamaica, the seasoned and award-winning Digital Strategist, who has worked with brands such Digicel, Jamaica Tourist Board, Grace Kennedy Foods, JMMB, Geejam and ICD Group as well as produced over 200 Caribbean Technology events, launched her Cannabis Marketing Agency, The Maverick Media Group while in Atlanta this March.
“We are bringing value to the Caribbean, US Diaspora, and Canadian markets by enabling Cannabis brands to connect with influencers and consumers through non-traditional means to build brand awareness, loyalty, and their business. So, we offer digital media, content marketing, customised events, and business consulting services. Additionally, we have our own media site, 420Caribe.xyz that creates and curates news on the Cannabis business, lifestyle, and trends. A podcast is also in the making and we have confirmed events coming up in Jamaica and New York shortly,” Riley explained.
According to a new report by Grand View Research, the Global Green Rush is expected to reach USD$146.4 billion by the end of 2025, and the Caribbean has started to position itself to grab a share of the medical marijuana industry, especially in the intellectual property, Cannabis tourism, Wellness, Edibles, and other sub-sectors.
“ It really wasn’t a difficult decision to make, as I’ve been tracking the Global Cannabis business and trends for the last 4 years as decriminalisation and legalisation unfolded. And I asked myself, what can I do for this industry, for the community? What value can I add to the marketplace with the skills and experience that my team and I have? How can we increase awareness of the wellness benefits of marijuana and help key groups capitalise on the business opportunities,” she said.
Riley shared also, that she has been on a Cannabis industry tour in the United States since July 2018, to deepen her knowledge of the intricate and ever-changing laws, business models and products, as well as to speak on the status of the Caribbean Cannabis business.
That said, she has not totally left the Caribbean Tech Industry behind, Ingrid Riley still consults, blogs and host influencer gatherings that connects entrepreneurs and investors under the SiliconCaribe brand and also speak at tech events. “I’ve committed 20% of my time to that, the other 80% is focused on growing the Cannabis Marketing Agency, which of course is highly dependent on and integrates technology in many ways.”
The Maverick Media Group with its team members based in Jamaica, New York, and Toronto, is committed to amplifying stories about the people, products and places driving the trends and shaping the future of Legal Cannabis – that’s going digital, becoming more inclusive, embracing its fringes and showcasing itself in fresh ways.
