Jeffrey Sohl named 91ÖÆƬ³§ Paul J. Holloway Entrepreneur of the Year
Jeffrey Sohl
Jeffrey Sohl, a pioneering researcher in angel investing and a driving force behind experiential entrepreneurship education at the 91ÖÆƬ³§, has been named 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s 2026 Paul J. Holloway Entrepreneur of the Year.
Sohl is a professor emeritus of entrepreneurship and decision sciences at the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics and the former director of the. Over the course of his career, he has become a nationally recognized authority on angel investing, helping shape understanding of early-stage capital markets through decades of research, policy engagement, and industry collaboration.
He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, delivered over 60 keynote addresses worldwide, and provided invited testimony to both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. His work has been featured in major media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, and The Economist. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Sohl received the prestigious Hans Severiens Award from the Kauffman Foundation.
At 91ÖÆƬ³§, Sohl’s impact extends beyond research. He is the founder and former managing director of the an innovative program that gives undergraduate students hands-on experience evaluating startups, conducting due diligence, and making real investment decisions. Since its launch, the fund has provided students with a highly competitive, real-world learning environment that mirrors professional investment firms.
Under Sohl’s leadership, the Rines Fund has become a cornerstone of entrepreneurship education at 91ÖÆƬ³§, with students producing comprehensive investment analyses and engaging directly with founders and investors. The experience has helped graduates launch careers across venture capital, finance, and startups, with many securing positions before completing their degrees.
Colleagues and former students frequently point to Sohl’s mentorship and willingness to support aspiring entrepreneurs early in their journeys. His influence can be seen across New Hampshire’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through the students, founders, and business leaders he has encouraged and connected over the years. Former students and entrepreneurs often describe Sohl as someone who consistently opened doors, created opportunities, and invested in people long before their success was certain.
In 2022, he was honored with the 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s Distinguished Professor Award.
Sohl has also played a key role in advancing entrepreneurship research and practice nationally, serving on editorial boards for leading academic journals, including Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, and contributing to national initiatives such as the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Capitalizing Science, Technology and Innovation.