Fluent starts operations at indoor cultivation facility

Executive Summary

• Fluent Corp. has commenced operations at a new 68,000+ square-foot indoor cultivation facility in Buffalo, New York, effectively doubling its cultivation capacity in the state.
• Fluent entered into an exclusive partnership with Connected New York Inc. (part of Connected International Inc.) to serve as the exclusive provider of Connected’s premium brands (Connected Cannabis, AlienLabs, and Smoken Promises) in New York.
• The partnership leverages Fluent’s new facility and Connected’s proprietary genetics and cultivation expertise to target the growing demand for premium cannabis in New York, with products expected to reach retailers in Q4 2025.

Key Details

• Facility Expansion: Fluent began operations at a new 68,000-plus-square-foot indoor cultivation facility in Buffalo, N.Y.
• Capacity Impact: The new facility doubles Fluent's New York cultivation capacity.
• Partnership Structure: Fluent serves as the exclusive provider for Connected New York Inc. brands in New York.
• Brands Involved: The partnership covers three premium brands: Connected Cannabis, AlienLabs, and Smoken Promises.
• Strategic Rationale: The collaboration pairs Fluent’s cutting-edge technology with Connected’s master grower expertise to produce flower with high flavor, potency, and purity.
• Market Context: CEO David Vautrin cited BDSA data indicating demand for top-shelf product in New York is growing at over 80% year-over-year.
• Product Launch Timeline: Connected Cannabis and AlienLabs premium branded products are expected to reach retailers and consumers in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Additional Offerings: Fluent’s wholesale division, Entourage, will continue to feature its in-house brands (MOODS, Knack, Wandr, Bag-O, and Hyer Kind) alongside the new Connected brands.
• Company Footprint: Fluent operates in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with 700 employees, eight cultivation/manufacturing facilities, and 42 active retail locations.

Notable Quotes

• David Vautrin, Interim CEO, Fluent Corp.: "Our mission is to cultivate exceptional cannabis that reflects the highest standards of quality and consistency... With this new facility, we are pairing cutting-edge technology with Connected's master grower expertise to unlock the full potential of their genetics. The result will be flower rich in flavour, potency and purity. We are committed to setting a new benchmark for premium flower in New York, where demand for top-shelf product is growing at over 80 per cent year over year according to BDSA data."
• Caleb Counts, CEO, Connected: "We are excited to introduce Connected Cannabis, AlienLabs and Smoken Promises to New York's cannabis community. Partnering with Fluent gives us the platform to bring our proven genetics to one of the most discerning markets in the country -- same standards, same quality, no compromises. We believe the demand is real, and we're here to earn our place on New York shelves."