James Cliff Whatmore

James “Cliff” Whatmore is an Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Executive Business Advisor who applies the concepts of behavioral design to create unique products and new categories, providing solutions across multiple industries. Cliff is President of MAB Investments, a family office, and the founder and president of both Gungnir Holdings and Steel Dog Concepts. He currently divides his time between the worlds of finance, fintech and cannabis.

Cliff’s diverse breadth of experience, coupled with his understanding of alternative asset classes and direct investment, led to his position as President of the Board at Evolv Capital Partners and the founding of Gungnir Holdings. Gungnir supports the creation of bespoke platforms, softwares, and digital assets that remove the behavioral friction from transactions, setting new industry standards beyond the confines of traditional solutions.

In his role at Steel Dog Concepts, Mr. Whatmore leads product development teams with a specialized concentration in functional foods and the development of natural plant medicines. Steel Dog Concepts’ early-stage investment portfolio includes biotechnology, beverage and CPG companies as well as cannabis and hemp startups.

Cliff’s background in food science has led him to play an active role in formulation and rule making processes, including submitting formal opinions on cannabis edibles to state legislators (some of which have been included in final legislation and rulings). Being an active participant in the early stages of the cannabis industry led Cliff to fill several active board and advisory roles, including roles with a dozen companies across various markets in the US, Canada, the UK and Europe.

Cliff has served on the Board of Directors at Evolv Capital Partners; Cannabab Capital I; EBBU Inc. (acquired by Canopy Growth for $330M); Clark Fork Cattle Company; Jardine Premium Cannabis and as an advisor to NUKA Enterprises (1906 New Highs). He is on the NCIA Banking & Finance Committee, the Arcview Investor Selection Committee, event panelist and Arcview Cannabis Shark Tank judge. He has taught Cannabis Investment for the Florida Gulf Coast University Cannabis Certificate program. Mr. Whatmore is also active with the Institute of Food Technology and the Research Chefs Association.

Cliff has a BA in Philosophy and Economics from Regis University in Denver, An MC in Project Leadership and Product Development from Cornell University, a certificate in Wealth Management from the Wharton Business School, and is currently studying Behavioral Management at MIT’s Sloane Business School.

Cliff lives in Sarasota, Florida with his wife and Monday, his Wheaten Terrier who also answers to the name “Fried Chicken”.