Leonardo DaVinci Meets Bungee Jumping: The Curious Origins A World-Leading Cannabis Vaporization Brand

“I’ve always been an adventure seeker,” says Cort Smith.

Those words encapsulate the driving force behind a career that thrives on calculated risks and breakthrough developments. As the founder of Synergy Innovation, the parent company of DaVinci Vaporizers and Eyce, Smith has channeled his passion for precision and problem-solving into reshaping the cannabis accessories market. DaVinci's vaporizers have become synonymous with meticulous engineering for connoisseurs, while Eyce is renowned for its nearly indestructible gear, designed for the adventurous spirit. Together, these brands reflect Smith's commitment to blending innovation, functionality and durability.

Sitting down at MJBizCon in Las Vegas, Smith's energy is palpable as he recounts how his unconventional journey unfolded. From building bungee jumping equipment in China to creating one of the world's most trusted cannabis vaporizer brands, Smith’s story is one of bold decisions and unrelenting dedication to quality.

"I was in an economics class in the 80s," he begins, "and someone mentioned China. They said, ‘In the next 30 years, it's going to become one of the top five economies in the world.'" At a time when Japan dominated discussions of global opportunity, Smith saw potential elsewhere. "I thought, ‘I'm going to miss that boat,'" he told Benzinga, referencing Japan's popularity among aspiring entrepreneurs. "But no one was talking about China yet." Recognizing the untapped possibilities, Smith began learning Mandarin and preparing for a future in a country few Westerners dared to explore.

How A Leap Of Faith Built A Brand

Smith's entrepreneurial debut was as unconventional as it was audacious: launching a bungee jumping business in China. "I was producing my own bungee cords, equipment and towers—all in China," he recalls. "I thought it'd be a one-or-two-year stepping stone to figure out what else a foreigner could do there."

But what started as a short-term venture quickly became a pivotal chapter in his life. "That business turned into a PhD-level education in negotiating with factories, contracting and building something where safety is critical," he says. Managing the intricacies of a high-risk operation in an unfamiliar market demanded precision, adaptability and resilience, skills that would later become hallmarks of Smith's approach to manufacturing.

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After five years in the bungee business, Smith shifted gears, applying his expertise to a broader range of manufacturing projects. "Other people started coming to me, saying, ‘Hey, I want to build something,'" he says. From producing massive banners for NASCAR to managing custom projects, Smith honed his ability to guide complex manufacturing processes. "I realized how much detail was needed to babysit these processes."

This phase of his career ultimately introduced him to the burgeoning e-cigarette industry. While the work refined his design and manufacturing skills, Smith found little personal fulfillment in the sector. "I wasn't a tobacco guy," he admits. "I didn't get to control the product. It was just receiving goods from China and helping sell them."

The Birth Of DaVinci Vaporizers

The turning point came in 2011 when Smith envisioned a new direction: cannabis vaporizers. He recalls telling his partner, "You're building something with a battery that gets hot for human ingestion. Why don't we spin this for cannabis?" The concept resonated deeply and DaVinci Vaporizers was born.

Smith's personal experiences with cannabis fueled his drive to innovate. "I'd go to a buddy's house, crack a few beers, smoke a few bowls and end up with these terrible tension headaches," he says. A chance encounter with a vaporizer at a cannabis expo shifted his perspective. "It wasn't great, but I noticed I didn't get the same headaches. I thought, ‘I can build something better.'"

With DaVinci, Smith set out to create the cleanest, most reliable vaporizer on the market. "No lead soldering, no off-gassing from cheap plastics," he explains. His vision was simple yet ambitious: design a device that prioritized safety and performance above all. This philosophy laid the foundation for DaVinci's signature features, such as ceramic heating bowls that maintain stable temperatures for consistent, high-quality vapor.

A Global Fanbase

The reputation of DaVinci Vaporizers isn't solely built on the quality of its devices. It's also shaped by Smith's deliberate global approach to the cannabis accessories market, a vision that extended well beyond North America. While many companies prioritized the domestic market, Smith recognized the potential of international opportunities early on. "We were early to go to the trade shows overseas and connect with international customers," he says, describing how these connections helped DaVinci gain traction across Europe and other regions.

Smith's appreciation for constant refinement found inspiration in an unlikely place: the workshops of Leonardo da Vinci himself. "I visited his old homes and saw his work firsthand," Smith shares. "It gave me the mindset to keep refining, to never stop improving." That relentless drive to perfect his craft resonated with a worldwide audience and helped cement DaVinci's reputation for reliability and innovation.

Unlike many cannabis brands that struggle to gain recognition outside their home markets, DaVinci stands out as a trusted name among cannabis enthusiasts globally. Similar to brands like RAW Rolling Papers and OCB Rolling Papers, DaVinci has achieved an exceptional level of recognition by maintaining its focus on high-quality vaporizers for discerning consumers. While Smith's scope remains focused on creating premium devices, DaVinci's ability to connect with a global audience is a testament to the brand's dedication to quality and precision.

Innovation Beyond Vaporizers

Smith's drive for innovation doesn't stop with vaporizers. Under Synergy Innovation's umbrella is Eyce, a brand known for its rugged, high-performance smoking accessories that are nearly indestructible. "Eyce is the best in class for durability," Smith explains. Designed for an active lifestyle, Eyce products pair silicone exteriors with glass inserts, offering users the purity of glass combined with unmatched resilience.

Smith himself is a dedicated fan. "My daily go-to is an Eyce product," he says, noting the practicality of its design. "It's rugged enough that my dog can chew on it, or I can toss it in a backpack. It's a product that just works, no matter where you are." With its lifetime guarantee and appeal to adventurous users, Eyce has carved out its own niche in the cannabis accessories market, standing alongside DaVinci in customer loyalty and trust.

This dual-pronged approach – DaVinci for precision and sophistication and Eyce for durability and practicality – highlights Synergy Innovation's ability to cater to diverse consumer needs. "We're not trying to be everything to everyone," Smith explains. "We focus on building the best products for the people who care about quality, whether it's a rugged Eyce piece for the outdoors or a DaVinci vaporizer for precision enthusiasts."

Balancing Innovation And Authenticity

Smith's commitment to quality extends far beyond his products; it's a cornerstone of the culture at Synergy Innovation. The company embodies a work-hard, play-hard ethos where team outings often double as creative brainstorming sessions. "We're in the green industry, so why not be edgy?" Smith says with a smile. "We don't follow the norms. We see our colleagues more than we see our families, so we try to make it feel like family."

This collaborative and adventurous spirit fuels creativity and ensures the products stay aligned with their mission of authenticity. For Smith, maintaining a sense of fun and passion is just as important as the technical precision that defines Synergy Innovation's products. "It's about more than just work," he says. "When you love what you do, it shows in the products you create."

Looking ahead, Smith is determined to continue innovating without compromising his values. With new products and technologies already in the pipeline, Synergy Innovation is set to build on the legacy of precision, durability and quality that DaVinci and Eyce have established. For Smith and his team, the mission is clear: create industry-leading products that elevate the cannabis experience for consumers worldwide.

Photos courtesy of Synergy Innovation