WHO WE ARE 

We are experts in finance, business development and operations, committed to creating valuable partnerships and opportunities for stakeholders.

Michael Abbott

Co-CIO 215 Partners Capital LP

As a pioneer and early mover in the cannabis industry, Michael Abbott played a key role in co-founding one of the largest and most successful cannabis MSOs in the United States. Michael brings a deep understanding of the regulatory, operational, and competitive landscape within the industry.

  • Michael also had an extensive career in finance, that included the co-founding of several asset management companies, as well as managing teams overseeing billions of dollars in client funds.

    Michael holds positions as a Board Director on two public companies, one listed on the CBOE Canada and another on the Nasdaq in the US. He also serves on the boards of several privately held healthcare companies. His board roles include serving on the Nomination & Governance Committees of both public companies and the Audit Committee of the Nasdaq listed company.

    Michael’s professional journey commenced in 1983 as a London police officer. After studying law at King’s College he worked with Swiss Bank Corporation and Goldman Sachs, where he held roles in Equity Capital Markets, Convertible Trading and Sales, and Structured Products Trading.

    Michael co-founded the foreign exchange trading hedge fund, Elysium Capital, and subsequently, he assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer and head of the investment committee of Robeco Sage, a multibillion-dollar fund of hedge funds. In 2010, he was appointed Chief Investment Officer of the Cornell University endowment,

    In 2012, Michael became a Managing Director at the Raptor Group, a single-family office based out of Boston and New York City.

    Michael Chairs the Advisory Counsel of King’s College School of Law and was elected a Fellow and Executive Fellow of King’s College in 2021. Michael also teaches the Executive MBA course on a part-time position at the King’s Business School.

Richard Kilstock

Co-CIO 215 Partners Capital LP
CIO 215 Partners LP

A trailblazer and pioneer, Richard Kilstock’s entrepreneurial journey has been marked by groundbreaking ventures and strategic investments across diverse industries.

In the mid-nineties, he achieved a significant milestone by establishing one of the first Internet Casinos, setting the stage for a remarkable career in nascent industries. This early mover mentality continued when he ventured into the Cannabis industry, yielding extraordinary gains over the decade he has been investing in the sector.

  • In the mid-nineties, he achieved a significant milestone by establishing one of the first Internet Casinos, setting the stage for a remarkable career in nascent industries. This early mover mentality continued when he ventured into the Cannabis industry, yielding extraordinary gains over the decade he has been investing in the sector. MORE

    In 1996, Mr. Kilstock, in collaboration with Mr. Benatar, founded Acropolis Casinos, a pioneering Internet Casino Gaming company. Their vision and expertise led to the negotiation of the first Gaming License with the Country of Dominica. The venture thrived, culminating in the successful sale of the company to Stanley Leisure (a UK PLC) in March 2000.

    Transitioning to real estate investments, Mr. Kilstock applied his early-stage strategy, acquiring assets in up-and-coming areas such as Williamsburg Brooklyn and Camden in the UK. His forward-thinking approach not only led to substantial financial success but also positioned him as a savvy investor in dynamic markets.

    In 2013, Mr. Kilstock made a strategic entry into the Cannabis industry by investing in Columbia Care, a company holding Dispensary and Grow Licenses in Washington DC and Arizona. His investment grew exponentially, transforming Columbia Care into a market leader licensed in 18 states and US territories. Teaming up with Mr. Benatar again in 2017, they co-founded 215 Partners LP, a private equity fund focused on the global cannabis market. Under Mr. Kilstock’s guidance, 215 Partners LP identified and invested in three prominent cannabis companies, showcasing his knack for identifying valuable opportunities.

    Mr. Kilstock’s academic achievements are as impressive as his professional ventures. He earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University and pursued legal studies at the Cardozo School of Law. After passing the Bar exam, he furthered his education at Oxford University, earning a BCL graduate degree in law.

    With a legacy of strategic foresight, entrepreneurial success, and transformative investments, Mr. Kilstock continues to shape the landscape of emerging sectors.

Jean Pierre Benatar

COO/CFO
215 Partners LP
215 Partners Capital LP

Highly skilled in financial modeling, forecasting, and accounting, Jean Pierre Benatar (COO/CFO) possesses extensive expertise in various aspects of financial management. His proficiency includes cash management, enterprise valuation, capital structure, financial restructuring, strategic business planning, negotiation, management of liquidity events, and designing systems and infrastructure for scalability and growth. Additionally, he excels in entrepreneurial endeavors, growth management, change management, and handling large and complex projects.

  • Mr. Benatar embarked on his successful career journey in 1988 at Price Waterhouse, where he gained a strong foundation in business understanding and earned his CPA. His passion for technology led him to co-found his first Internet firm, Acropolis Casinos, in 1995, which achieved significant profitability and was eventually sold to Stanley Leisure, a prominent public UK firm.

    In the aftermath of the 2000 market bubble, Mr. Benatar shifted his focus to Private Equity, Turnaround, and Restructuring. He contributed his expertise to Zolfo Cooper and American Capital, where he played a key role in acquiring, transforming, and divesting troubled companies. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Auric Technology, LLC., specializing in on-demand CRM and sales force management systems. Under his guidance, Auric Technology thrived and was successfully sold to a South American software firm in 2010.

    In 2010, Mr. Benatar joined JP Morgan as the lead Platform Strategist for Global Equities, where he implemented a new strategic system that revolutionized client management and established a scalable infrastructure for business growth. Later, he became JP Morgan’s Americas Cash Business Manager..

    Mr. Benatar holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics (BSE) from the Wharton School of Business, with a focus on accounting and finance. He furthered his education by earning an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Business at UCLA, specializing in Entrepreneurial Management. Additionally, he is a certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of California. With his exceptional skills and diverse experience, Mr. Benatar continues to drive financial success and innovation in every endeavor he undertakes.

Crafting Wealth, Creating Opportunities.

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