Founded in 2018 by Frank Perullo and Abner Kurtin, Ascend Wellness Holdings began with a vision to create a vertically integrated cannabis company that could deliver quality products at accessible prices across multiple states. The founders brought diverse backgrounds - Kurtin with over 20 years in opportunity capital and Harvard Business School credentials, while Perullo founded successful tech companies including Sage Systems.Rather than competing for licenses through lotteries, AWH strategically acquired existing licenses and prime retail locations, allowing them to establish premier dispensary locations across the Northeast and Midwest. The company achieved significant milestones including $562 million in net revenue for 2024, representing 8% year-over-year growth, and maintained nine consecutive quarters of positive cash flow from operations.Key growth moments include successful expansion into adult-use markets, particularly Ohio where they achieved over three times sales increases when adult-use launched, and strategic acquisitions that expanded their footprint to 39 dispensaries across seven states. Their commitment to building a sustainable, profitable business has made them a standout performer in the competitive cannabis industry.