Jeffrey Sohl, director of the Center for Venture Research and Rines Angel Fund and professor of entrepreneurial and decision sciences in the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, was the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Professor Award at the University of New Hampshire's 2022 Faculty Excellence Awards ceremony held Oct. 13.
Sohl is known internationally for his contributions and expertise in policy, practice and research in private equity, angel investing and venture capital, and he was among the first to conduct rigorous studies of angel investing before it became a hot topic. As the director of UNH’s Center for Venture Research for 28 years, he continues to bring global recognition to the university.
Among the popular courses he developed is the Meaning of Entrepreneurship, which draws many non-Paul College students. Through the generosity of Mel Rines, Sohl also engineered the Mel Rines Student Angel Investment Fund, the first undergraduate angel investment fund in the world. And for many years, he has served as the faculty coordinator of the option in entrepreneurial studies. He has also mentored more faculty in the Paul College than any other faculty member, publishing with 17 different faculty members over his career, and six since 2018.
