# Ben Kovler

> Ben Kovler is the Chicago-based founder, chairman and CEO of Green Thumb Industries, founded in 2014, and chairman and interim CEO of RYTHM, Inc. His background includes consumer-products investing, teaching math, co-authoring a riddle book with his grandfather and co-founding Invest For Kids with Ron Levin in 2009. His cannabis strategy centers on recognizable consumer brands and distribution, with a family connection to the development of Jim Beam.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at Green Thumb Industries; Chairman and Interim CEO at RYTHM, Inc.
- **Organizations:** Green Thumb Industries, RYTHM, Inc., Invest For Kids
- **Education:** BA, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Pomona College, MBA, Accounting and Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- **Known for:** Founded Green Thumb Industries in 2014; the business reported $306.7 million revenue for Q2 2026., Co-founded Invest For Kids, which reports $25 million raised and 123 nonprofits supported since its inception in 2009, as displayed in October 2026., Co-authored Fundrum My Conundrum with Raymond Epstein in 1992.

## Career timeline

- **1992** — Co-authored Fundrum My Conundrum with grandfather Raymond Epstein.
- **Before 2014** — Worked in private equity focused on food, beverages and consumer products; taught math for three years; later managed investments in Chicago.
- **2009** — Co-founded Invest For Kids with Ron Levin.
- **2014** — Founded Green Thumb Industries and became chairman and CEO.
- **2015** — Returned one of three Illinois cultivation licenses after questioning whether Green Thumb could fund all three facilities.
- **2018** — Green Thumb listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange in June; Kovler resumed the CEO role in August after a period outside that role.
- **2020** — Green Thumb launched its Growing for Good social-impact program.
- **2025** — Green Thumb sold a brand-owning subsidiary to Agrify and entered a licensing arrangement; Agrify subsequently became RYTHM, Inc., where Kovler serves as chairman and interim CEO.
- **2026** — Continued leading Green Thumb and RYTHM; RYTHM announced a Navy Pier beverage partnership in May.

## Achievements

- Founded Green Thumb Industries in 2014; the business reported $306.7 million revenue for Q2 2026.
- Co-founded Invest For Kids, which reports $25 million raised and 123 nonprofits supported since its inception in 2009, as displayed in October 2026.
- Co-authored Fundrum My Conundrum with Raymond Epstein in 1992.
- Built a national consumer-products and retail business around brands and RISE Dispensaries.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Green Thumb announced its 26th Florida RISE location, in Belleview, opening October 16.
- **2026-10** — Invest For Kids scheduled its 18th annual conference for October 28 at Harris Theater in Chicago; website totals reported $25 million raised since inception.
- **2026-08** — Green Thumb reported Q2 2026 revenue of $306.7 million, GAAP net income of $4.9 million and operating cash flow of $29 million on August 4.
- **2026-05** — RYTHM announced a multiyear Navy Pier THC beverage partnership on May 8, with availability beginning May 22.

## Links

- Website: https://gtigrows.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-kovler-476a358/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/Bkov9

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ben-kovler
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22