Deals, Distress & What It Actually Takes to Win | Seth Yakatan

Cannabis has no shortage of storytellers. What it's short on is people who can turn those stories into assets that actually get priced, sold, and survived. In this episode, Duffy sits down with Seth Yakatan—dealmaker, capital raiser, and one of the loudest voices in the room when it comes to what's real versus what just sounds good on a slide deck.Seth has spent 30 years closing deals across pharma, biotech, CPG, and cannabis. He's raised over a billion dollars, sold more than 20 companies, and he doesn't sugarcoat what it takes. From which states are actually on fire right now to how smaller operators should be positioning for consolidation—and why making as much money as possible today is the whole strategy—this one is dense with perspective you won't get anywhere else.If you're building, investing, or trying to figure out where this industry is headed next, pull up a chair.Topics Covered:Why cannabis is a collection of assets, not a collection of businessesThe states Seth would bet on right now—and the ones he's out onWhat the Willie's deal actually says about hemp investmentHow the Farm Bill opened Pandora's box (and who got hurt)The three business models that actually generate cash flowHow smaller operators should position for acquisitionWhy point-of-sale incentivization might be the industry's biggest unlockAbout Our Guest: Seth Yakatan is a veteran dealmaker and capital markets strategist with over 30 years of experience across pharma, biotech, CPG, and cannabis. He has raised over $1 billion and advised on more than 20 transactions. Known for his unfiltered takes and deep industry relationships, Seth operates at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and getting deals done.