In this episode of Inspired to Invest, I sit down with Basem Hanna — serial entrepreneur, cannabis pioneer, and now real estate developer / exempt market dealmaker through his firm Almega Co.
To watch rather than listen, click here.
Basem’s journey is compelling...
From scaling TerrAscend (TER.CN), navigating cannabis regulations and market cycles, to executing a strategic exit — then leaning into real estate development, capital markets, and building a new vehicle for investors via the exempt market.
We cover:
• 🎯 How he approached growth in a volatile, highly regulated cannabis industry
• 🧠 The mindset and signals that led him to exit
• 🔁 What lessons carried over into real estate and capital markets
• 📊 How Almega Co. is structuring deals and redefining access for private investors
• 🚀 Advice for entrepreneurs and investors looking to pivot, scale, or exit Whether you’re in real estate, entrepreneurship, cannabis, or capital markets — there is cross-industry wisdom here.
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Inspired To Invest proudly supports the Beyond Success Program, a not-for-profit financial literacy initiative for students, launched by More To Give & MAK Investments. Learn more at @more2give.ca.
➕ Follow Serena Holmes for expert insights on personal branding, business, real estate, investing, and wealth creation. Let’s build wealth together because "when you invest in yourself, the sky's the limit" 🚀
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📌 Suggested Timestamps Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction & background
01:35 – The rise of TerrAscend: challenges & breakthroughs
06:15 – Regulatory headwinds, market pressures, and turning points
09:15 – Deciding to exit: what signaled “now’s the time”
12:40 – Transitioning into real estate: the move from cannabis to construction
15:10 – Building Almega Co. & its exempt market strategy
17:55 – The investor value proposition & deal structures
21:20 – Failures, lessons, and what he’d do differently
17:50 – Advice to entrepreneurs looking to pivot or exit
25:30 – Final thoughts, future vision, and wrap-up
➕ Follow Serena Holmes for all things related to business, entrepreneurship, real estate, investing, wealth (and more!). I'm on a mission to help others create wealth because "when you invest in yourself, the sky's the limit" 🚀
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