EquiRate AI by Cannas Capital

Eric Foster, Board Chairman
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Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital, explores the future of compliant capital access, banking reform, AI-informed underwriting, and growth strategy in the cannabis industry. Through the EquiRate AI and Bank Black framework, this show examines how better lending models, smarter risk analysis, and intentional capital deployment can expand ownership, reduce barriers, and create real pathways for minority entrepreneurs to scale. Part of the Common Sense by Eric Foster podcast network. ericfoster52.substack.com

  1. NIL - A pathway to economic growth is under threat

    May 28

    NIL - A pathway to economic growth is under threat

    In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and EquiRate AI, argues that NIL, collectives, and college revenue sharing should be understood as generational wealth pathways—not as threats to college sports. For decades, universities, coaches, conferences, networks, merchandise companies, and athletic departments generated enormous value from student-athletes while limiting the ability of those athletes to share fairly in the wealth they created. NIL and revenue sharing began to change that. Now, powerful voices are pushing restrictions that would reduce athlete compensation and restore more control to institutions and old-line power brokers. Eric makes the case that student-athlete compensation is earned income, not charity. He also explains why these opportunities matter for Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Arab American, multiracial, international, and poor white athletes who may never become professional athletes but can still use college sports to build savings, business experience, investment capital, and a stronger future. This episode also connects the issue to the broader mission of EquiRate AI and Cannas Capital Holdings: building wealth pathways, strengthening economic opportunity, and supporting people and communities that have too often been blocked from fair access to markets. Learn more: www.cannascapitalholdings.comContact: eric@cannascapital.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min
  2. How EquiRate AI Opens a Common-Sense Door for Inclusive Lending

    Apr 1

    How EquiRate AI Opens a Common-Sense Door for Inclusive Lending

    In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and lead on the EquiRate AI initiative, discusses why EquiRate AI opens a common-sense door to more inclusive lending. The conversation focuses on how traditional underwriting often misses important indicators of stability, discipline, and long-term business potential. Eric explains why factors such as continuing education, financial behavior, housing security, healthcare access, transportation reliability, and community involvement deserve a place in a more complete underwriting framework. This episode also highlights why that broader approach matters so much for minority-owned businesses and other qualified applicants who have too often faced barriers under narrow conventional lending standards. Learn more: www.cannascapitalholdings.com  eric@cannascapital.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
  3. Social Economic Lending Metrics: A Gamechanger with EquiRate AI

    Mar 31

    Social Economic Lending Metrics: A Gamechanger with EquiRate AI

    In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and lead on the EquiRate AI initiative, discusses why social and economic lending metrics represent such an important advance in the underwriting process. The conversation focuses on how EquiRate AI expands beyond traditional lending criteria by incorporating factors such as continuing education, housing stability, neighborhood cohesion, access to healthcare, reliable transportation, multiple income streams, and community involvement. Eric explains why these dimensions can offer a far more complete and realistic picture of lending readiness and long-term business sustainability. This episode also highlights why that broader underwriting lens matters so much for minority-owned businesses and why EquiRate AI is designed to support a more inclusive approach to capital access. Learn more: www.cannascapitalholdings.com eric@cannascapital.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    14 min
  4. The Importance of Knowing Why You Were Denied – EquiRate AI

    Mar 30

    The Importance of Knowing Why You Were Denied – EquiRate AI

    In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and lead on the EquiRate AI initiative, discusses why understanding the reason behind a lending denial can be just as important as the lending decision itself. The conversation highlights a major challenge in the business finance space: too many applicants are denied without meaningful feedback about what held them back or what they need to improve. Eric explains why this lack of transparency can become a serious obstacle to business growth and sustainability, especially for minority-owned businesses trying to reach the next stage of development. Drawing from both EquiRate AI’s first Advisory Board meeting and his own past business experience, Eric explains why clearer output, better guidance, and a practical roadmap for improvement are such important parts of the EquiRate AI solution. Learn more: www.cannascapitalholdings.com eric@cannascapital.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
  5. Knowing Why You Were Denied & How to Improve for Approval

    Mar 27

    Knowing Why You Were Denied & How to Improve for Approval

    In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and lead on the EquiRate AI initiative, discusses why businesses need more than a denial when they apply for funding. The conversation focuses on a major gap in the lending process: too many applicants are told they do not qualify, but they are not given meaningful feedback about what held them back or what they need to improve. Eric explains why this issue matters, especially for minority-owned businesses, and how EquiRate AI is designed to provide greater clarity, support, and a practical roadmap toward stronger approval readiness. Drawing from his own business experience, Eric also explains why understanding failure points is often the first step toward building a better path to long-term success. Learn more: www.cannascapitalholdings.com eric@cannascapital.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min
  6. Cannabis Industry Challenges and Solutions | Why We Built EquiRate AI

    Mar 16

    Cannabis Industry Challenges and Solutions | Why We Built EquiRate AI

    In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and lead on the EquiRate AI initiative, discusses the constant turbulence facing the cannabis industry and the need for practical solutions. The conversation focuses on how federal and state-level developments continue to create uncertainty for cannabis businesses, and why capital access remains one of the most important structural issues in the industry. Eric explains why Cannas Capital Holdings created EquiRate AI: many underwriting and lending models are still built for traditional businesses and do not fully account for the realities and strengths of minority-owned cannabis companies. EquiRate AI is designed to support a more inclusive and informed approach to lending in the cannabis sector. Learn more at:www.cannascapitalholdings.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
  7. Creating real solutions for Minority Businesses

    Mar 13

    Creating real solutions for Minority Businesses

    EquiRate AI and the Need for Real Solutions for Minority Businesses In this episode, Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital Holdings and lead on the EquiRate AI initiative, discusses the need for real, proactive solutions to help minority-owned businesses grow and sustain themselves. The conversation focuses on persistent barriers facing businesses of color, including limited access to capital, insufficient institutional knowledge transfer, growth challenges, and the need for stronger policy support. Eric explains why Cannas Capital Holdings created EquiRate AI: waiting and hoping someone else would solve these gaps was never a strategy. EquiRate AI was built as a practical tool to help address those barriers and support stronger opportunity for minority-owned businesses. Learn more at:www.cannascapitalholdings.comContact: eric@cannascapital.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
  8. EquiRate AI + ASTM: Advisory Board Call (Inclusive Lending Standard)

    Mar 9

    EquiRate AI + ASTM: Advisory Board Call (Inclusive Lending Standard)

    EquiRate AI is building an inclusive lending and social capital lending model that is on the ballot for ASTM International approval as a potential global standard for finance. I’m Eric Foster, Board Chair of Cannas Capital Holdings and EquiRate AI. This video is a direct invitation to join our EquiRate AI Advisory Board. Why this matters If a model is intended to support financial inclusion at scale—across communities and across institutions—it needs more than a strong internal team. It needs external perspectives, real-world expertise, and cross-sector credibility. Even with a committed board and a talented team, you can never have too many people who bring knowledge and experience—especially when the work touches: * regulation and compliance * financial risk and system design * consumer trust and community adoption * impact outcomes and equity execution * capital infrastructure and lending practice Who we’re looking for We are recruiting advisors across several domains, including: Policy & Regulatory LeadersPeople who understand how lending standards and governance frameworks intersect with public policy, consumer protections, and implementation pathways. Risk, Financial Systems, and Insurance ExpertsProfessionals who can assess risk structure, system design, and how underwriting and insurance frameworks shape capital availability. Social & Economic Impact LeadersCivil rights, community wealth builders, philanthropic leaders, and impact strategists who can help align outcomes with real community needs. Academic & Research ExpertsFinancial inclusion researchers, university economic development leaders, and scholars working on the data and frameworks that drive measurable inclusion. Capital & Financing InfrastructureBanks, CDFIs, credit unions, and other lending ecosystem leaders who know what it takes to deploy capital at scale—responsibly and effectively. The goal This is not about slogans or “pie in the sky.” This is about the real work: * helping people access capital to build sustainable businesses * supporting job creation and higher wages * increasing community investment * restoring real, tangible hope rooted in results How to join If you want to contribute your expertise and help shape the future of inclusive lending, reach out: 📩 eric@cannascapital.com🌐 www.cannascapitalholdings.com Please like, subscribe, and share this message with a leader who should be in the room. Common Sense by Eric Foster is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading Common Sense by Eric Foster! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ericfoster52.substack.com/subscribe

    3 min
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Eric Foster, Board Chairman of Cannas Capital, explores the future of compliant capital access, banking reform, AI-informed underwriting, and growth strategy in the cannabis industry. Through the EquiRate AI and Bank Black framework, this show examines how better lending models, smarter risk analysis, and intentional capital deployment can expand ownership, reduce barriers, and create real pathways for minority entrepreneurs to scale. Part of the Common Sense by Eric Foster podcast network. ericfoster52.substack.com

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