UNH Today

Joshua Cyr '96, a dedicated mentor, innovator and champion of New Hampshire's startup ecosystem, has been named the University of New Hampshire's Paul J. Holloway Entrepreneur of the Year. 

Cyr was presented the award at this year's Paul J. Holloway Prize Competition.

Cyr graduated from UNH with a degree in business administration from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics (now the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics). 

Cyr's career spans the intersection of entrepreneurship, mentorship, startups and emerging technology. Currently serving as the interim director of the Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter) at UNH, he has become an invaluable connector for students, faculty and staff, helping bridge ideas and opportunities through UNHInnovation's Venture Studio, the library and entrepreneurial programs across campus. 

In the 2024-2025 academic year alone, Cyr has held 139 formal one-on-one meetings with students about their ideas, alongside countless informal interactions, all dedicated to advancing students' entrepreneurial journeys. 

Previously, Cyr created and ran a startup accelerator for the NH Tech Alliance (formerly Alpha Loft) in New Hampshire, where he supported hundreds of startup founders over the past decade. He developed and led all educational programming, helped founders refine their business fundamentals and fundraising pitches and facilitated introductions that resulted in millions of dollars raised for area startups. His leadership also included organizing hundreds of events that fostered New Hampshire's innovation ecosystem. 

Before his accelerator work, Cyr served as a CTO and software developer, co-founding a company that built commercial content management software used by Fortune 500 companies, universities, banks, municipalities and small businesses. 

Beyond his professional career, Cyr has been active in community service, having served as a city councilor for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, president of his children's elementary parent teacher organization, and as a board member for numerous area nonprofits. He has also been a member of Portsmouth's Economic Development Commission, Recreation Board and Joint Budget Committee. 

Cyr remains deeply engaged with emerging technologies, having focused considerable time in recent years on early-stage startups, cryptocurrency and web3 technologies. He is a frequent presenter at events across New Hampshire, typically speaking on emerging technology and early-stage startups. 

Among his distinctions, Cyr was named one of the "10 to Watch Under 40" by Catapult Seacoast and Seacoast Media Group. He has also testified at two U.S. congressional field hearings — one on net neutrality and another on the importance of broadband in rural areas. 

Students and colleagues praise Cyr's impact and mentorship style. He encourages experimentation and views failure as part of the process — not something to fear — communicating that perspective with kindness, humility and humor.