Key Deal Facts
Seeks to empower licensed cannabis businesses with access to over 30 data modules and 50+ data source integrations for advanced analytics and insight
Target clients include cannabis stores/dispensaries, cultivation/grow facilities, product manufacturers, distributors, testing labs, and vertically-integrated companies
Plans to launch a sustainability benchmarking tool in partnerships with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Cannabis Conservancy, and Sustainabis
Has raised just over $280,000 from past investors, including $250,000 from White Sheep Capital (formerly Initiative Capital) in October 2017 at a pre-money valuation of $2.5 million
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Adam H. Berry
Co-Founder and CEO
Adam brings twelve years of operations and management experience to PoliticalBank – both inside and outside of politics. As the Governor’s appointed Regulatory Policy Director & Special Counsel, he helped draft and lead new legislation, and worked closely with state agency directors to research, implement, and monitor administrative initiatives. In addition to coordinating all of PoliticalBank’s major priorities, Adam’s legal training gives the company a de facto in-house counsel for compliance, contracts, and other agreements – including employment contracts and product partnerships. Currently, Adam serves as the Vice President of Economic Development and Technology at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Adam was also the Associate General Counsel for the Indiana Department of Insurance and an Associate Attorney at Littler Mendelson. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in Psychology, and a JD from Indiana University.
Frank Short
Co-Founder and Chief Political Officer
At PoliticalBank, Frank helps lead the company’s capital raising efforts, and advises the company on financial matters. Frank has 35 years of political experience, including being elected to local office in Chicago, as well as City-County Councilor in Indianapolis. Currently, Frank is the President of the Indiana Public Employers’ Plan, the elected Trustee of Washington Township (Indianapolis), and Chairman and CEO of Short Strategy Group, a government services firm he started in 2003. Frank holds his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Indiana Weslayan University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Indiana.
Jeff Mitchell
Head of Product Technology
At PoliticalBank, Jeff manages a team of four software engineers who work part time to execute the company’s development backlog. Jeff is also the Vice President of Engineering at Healthx. He has previously held the positions of Senior Director of Engineering at Angie’s List, and Director of Research and Development at Sage. Jeff holds his BS in Engineering, specializing in Robotics, from Purdue University.
Pete Ghiorse
CEO and Co-Founder
Prior to GiveTide, Pete graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Richmond, where he studied finance & economics and held several successful campus-wide fundraisers for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, raising over $5,000. Upon graduating, Pete worked for Marmon Holdings, Inc. as an Entrepreneur in Residence. At Marmon Holdings, he learned the engineering, operations, and financial components of manufacturing industrial rail cars as part of a larger Management-Training Program.
James Ghiorse
COO and Co-Founder
At GiveTide, James manages daily operations, customer interactions, and design/content generation. Before graduating, James started an after-school program at a local nonprofit to teach underserved youths basic STEM concepts. James has a B.S. in mechanical engineering with a minor in business from Villanova University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and won the Meyer ICE Entrepreneurship award for GiveTide. James worked on GiveTide part-time during college and has been full-time since May 2018
Henry Finkelstein
Co-Founder & CEO
Henry has been the CEO of Cannabis Big Data since its inception. Prior to Cannabis Big Data, Henry served as the Director of Business Intelligence for Tepa. He also started his own management consulting firm, Green Peak Labs, which focused on data-driven marketing, sales, and operations consulting for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the service and consumer goods industries. Henry has also held positions at STI Innovations and Provide Commerce. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics at Yale University, where he helped run the Yale Entrepreneurial Society.
Jason Cooper
Co-Founder & VP of Architecture and Integrations
Jason has extensive enterprise experience leading system architectures in the public and private sector. His data career began in the armed forces, both in direct service with the U.S. Army as well as with various government contractors supporting stationed troops in Afghanistan and other active conflict regions. Jason has also held positions at Insight Global, Kaiser Permanente, and UDR. Jason earned his Associates degree in Applied Science and Programming from Kaplan University.
Levi Martin
Co-Founder & VP of Systems and Analytics
Levi brings extensive experience in large-scale operations to Cannabis Big Data, helping apply those lessons and technologies to smaller, less sophisticated owners and operators. Prior to his time at Cannabis Big Data, he served as Senior Business Intelligence Manager for Colas IS Support. He also founded 9Nineteen Solutions, an IT consulting firm. Levi also has experience in the real estate sector, holding positions at REITs such as UDR and Aimco. Levi earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.
