The seed for starting the Greater Pensacola Entrepreneur Fund was planted about nine years ago during a trip to Asheville, N.C., by local businessman and philanthropist Quint Studer.
The founder of the Studer Group healthcare consulting firm and owner of the Blue Wahoos minor league baseball team was impressed by the support Asheville gave to entrepreneurs.
More than 1,500 jobs were created in that city thanks to small loans made over the previous 10 years. But those business owners were required to learn accounting software and how to create a business plan before they could receive the funds.
