Juan Carlos Pacheco
ExstoBio – MICRO Fall 2023
Published December 13, 2023
As part of our ‘Meet Our Founders’ series today, we introduce Juan Carlos Pacheco, Co-Founder and CEO of ExstoBio based in Chapel Hill, NC. ExstoBio is a Software-as-a-Service that equips doctors to provide their patients with science-based, data-driven medical cannabis care.
Q: What problem are you trying to solve and what influenced you to start your company?
A: Self-medication with cannabis is prominent and the absence of guidance by a trained physician is leaving patients exposed. The only guidance most doctors are able to provide to their patients is a medical cannabis card. The patient ends up being their own pharmacist and their experience is a constant process of trial and error.
ExstoBio was created to solve this problem. In the ExstoBio ecosystem, patients visit with a vetted doctor who has been trained in our science-based, data-driven approach and equipped with the research, data, and tools to know exactly which cannabinoid therapeutic you need, where to find it, and how to properly dose.
Q: What does the road ahead look like for your company?
A: The road ahead for ExstoBio looks bright! The medical cannabis industry is complex, diverse, and filled with innovation. We are excited to be at the forefront of patient care by leveraging the rigor of top level scientists and the power of artificial intelligence. After closing our Series Pre-seed raise, ExstoBio will launch a 20-doctor pilot project and expand our epilepsy and autism studies.
Q: How will your NC IDEA grant funds advance your company?
A: NC IDEA grant funds will be monumental for ExstoBio. Through the funds, we will bring ExstoAI to life, launching our 20-doctor pilot project and setting a new standard of patient care in cannabinoid therapeutics. Most importantly, becoming part of the NC IDEA family and receiving the validation from the preeminent entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Carolina is invaluable.
Q: When did you know you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?
A: I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so it was only a matter of time. When I saw a clear opportunity to impact patients lives by building the key to unlock the massive potential of cannabis-as-a-medicine, I couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore. North Carolina has the ability to be a true north star in medical cannabis patient care and I am so grateful to serve as a leader in this space.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?
A: Leading ExstoBio has been one of the most challenging, rewarding, and exciting experiences of my life. Everyday there is something new and challenging. I love the diversity of work that comes along with early-stage companies and the need to constantly become a better person and leader. I have a law degree and an MBA from UNC, and it’s amazing getting to use both disciplines each day and realizing how much I still have to learn.
Q: Who do you look to for advice and mentorship?
A: My team, advisory board, mentors, and family. The journey of entrepreneurship would be impossible without them. Their support, guidance, and reassurance keep me level-headed and focused on my mission. I am so grateful for each one of them.
While visiting Chapel Hill, Juan recommends:
- A visit to Chapel Hill wouldn’t be complete without watching the Tar Heels win in basketball, followed by a burger at Al’s Burger Shack, and an after dinner cocktail at The Crunkleton.
Support ExstoBio and Juan by:
- Like and share our social media posts. Stop by our online shop and place an order. Most importantly, ask your doctor about the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and if they are ready to support patients when they finally have access in North Carolina. If not, which chances are that they do not, tell them about ExstoBio and share our contact information!
