Why Work With Us?
Our Results
We’ve placed $120,000,000 in transactions since 2019… and growing! Projects include cannabis cultivation, dispensaries/retail, processing, and testing laboratories. We fund both established entities and startups.
Our Professionalism
We are comprised of trained commercial lenders with a combined 100+ years of experience, proven track records, and speed-to-market. We are “deal junkies” who love closing business! We are consistently proactive, transparent, and offer unbiased advice based on experience.
Our Focus
We are 100% focused in the US cannabis space, so we have a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the industry, as well as unmatched depth in the commercial lending market. We operate nationally, in any state where cannabis is legal.
Our Responsiveness
Your time is valuable, and your need is time-sensitive. Therefore, with Seed To Sale Funding you only apply once and can often receive multiple term sheets for your request, which can double or triple your chance of funding. Our funding sources can close in as little as 30 days for real estate, and even quicker for equipment and working capital.
Our Team
JUDY RINKUS
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
“I’m a big supporter of American entrepreneurs. These individuals, who include a growing number of women and people of color, have long been the true risk-takers in our economy. The nascent cannabis industry provides a unique opportunity to bridge my skills and experience to the country’s newest wave of entrepreneurship.”
EDUCATION: Finance degree from The University of Michigan, Ross School of Business (Go Blue!)
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 40 years of commercial lending and banking experience
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Prior to founding Seed To Sale Funding in 2019, Judy was Managing Director at Bank of America, PNC Bank, and Huntington Bank. During her banking career, she focused on commercial loans ranging from $1.0MM to $100MM in a wide variety of industries. Judy was also Managing Director at Amherst Capital, a boutique M&A, restructuring, and consulting firm.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Member, The Detroit Athletic Club, former Board member, Inforum, and member of NAWBO
PERSONAL FACT: Married, 3 adult children, 2 grandchildren and 3 spoiled dogs
“I love to travel! Next on the bucket list: An African safari or a trip around Cape Horn. When will this happen? I have no idea but it’s fun to dream!” - Judy Rinkus
NICOLE SWIGERT
MANAGING DIRECTOR
“I love uncovering financial strategies to maximize business potential by appropriately aligning capital structures in conjunction with mitigating risks.”
EDUCATION: Business degree with a concentration in finance from Walsh College
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 15 years of senior debt expertise, with 13 years of experience as a commercial banker and most recently spent the past 2 years providing financing for cannabis related businesses
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Nicole was Vice President at Comerica Bank managing companies headquartered in Michigan with revenues greater than $250 million, managing banking relationships for public and privately held companies in very diverse industries. Nicole also spent over seven years at PNC Financial Services Group working in various lending capacities such as underwriting, commercial lending, and corporate finance
PERSONAL FACT: Recent new mother as of March 2020
“It’s exciting to be part of a new growing industry!” - Nicole Swigert
JEFF SCHUMAN
DIRECTOR
“I’ve watched advocates for over 50 years work passionately to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis. Over time, I have come to believe that cannabis has well-documented medical applications that are not available to the majority of the U.S. population. After seeing opioid abuse and the government’s classification of marijuana as a Tier 1 controlled substance as compared to cocaine’s Tier 2 classification, it has fueled a conviction in me that cannabis is not a gateway drug but more so a threat to the tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical industries than to the well being of our society.”
EDUCATION: BBA University of Michigan Dearborn with an MBA from The University of Michigan
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 40
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Jeff is a Licensed Michigan Real Estate Broker with 20 years of Commercial Real Estate banking and development experience. He also has additional career experience in middle market C&I lending, trust investments and residential mortgage banking
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: 40-year active church member. Jeff has served on the University of Michigan Dearborn Business School Dean’s Advisory Council and the Cranbrook Museum of Art’s Advisory Committee
PERSONAL FACT: Married with 4 adult children, 2 grandsons, 2 dogs
“I have a strong desire to travel, dine out and get back into Comerica Park!” - Jeff Schuman
DAVID ELWOOD
DIRECTOR
“At the beginning of my involvement in the cannabis industry, I saw a need for ‘alternative medicines’ to “Big Pharma'' drugs and that ideology has modified my thinking to the need for full national legalization.”
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 30+ Years combined finance, construction and real estate sales experience
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: David has owned and operated a construction company, finance & lending brokerage and currently owns and operates a real estate and business brokerage. He is also a Shareholder/Owner of eXp Realty which was just named fastest growing real estate company in North America. David has also consistently been one of the Top Cannabis related Property and Business Brokerage Sales Powerhouse's in Michigan with a sales record that is in the top 3 Brokerages.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Appointed Member of Local zoning ZBA board and helped shape many cannabis industry ordinances in municipalities throughout the state. Board Member /Volunteer for Ducks Unlimited and Member/Volunteer for Trout Unlimited
PERSONAL FACT: As a single father with 4 children and 3 grandchildren, you won’t find me chasing around a little ball on the golf course, but you may bump into me on a domestic or international flight, as I travel often and enjoy a remote work life with today's technology.
“I am a certified scuba diver, who loves fly fishing in the Florida Keys and other tropical locations or in the northern rivers for trout, as well as hiking, mountain biking or any other outdoor activities are my passion. If I have not done it, it is on my list to accomplish.” - David Elwood