The Studer Community Institute Venture Mentoring Service (SCI VMS) today announced the selection of its Winter 2026 cohort of emerging ventures to participate in its comprehensive mentoring program. Five promising Pensacola-area small businesses have been chosen to receive strategic guidance and support from experienced business mentors.
The Winter 2026 cohort includes:
ErichSon’s Bakery – a bakery that produces artisan, small-batch breads and specialty baked goods rooted in classic European techniques, clean ingredients, and traditional fermentation—without the use of chemical preservatives.
Florida Native Landscapes – a local company that designs and installs custom ecological landscapes to suit the unique needs of our clients and their site conditions. Their landscapes provide an alternative to traditional landscaping that requires less irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides to maintain.
Glow Paddle – Providing safe, family-friendly, self-guided paddling sessions using transparent kayaks and SUPs equipped with waterproof LED lights that illuminate the water below, creating a magical glowing effect to view marine life under the stars.
ProClean Restoration and Cleaning – A company offering residential and commercial cleaning (tile, carpet, upholstery), residential and commercial emergency services (water/fire/mold/biohazard) cleanup and mitigation, storm and disaster work, residential construction and remodeling.
Rising Minds Learning – A company that provides personalized tutoring, small-group microclasses, custom learning programs, and family consulting services that support students from early elementary through high school, partnering with schools and nonprofits to deliver academic enrichment, targeted intervention, and program development.
“This is an exciting group of energized ventures. Their selection sets the tone for a great year.” said Katie Ballard, Executive Director at SCI. “Pensacola’s small business community remains vibrant. SCI Venture Mentoring Service will gladly add these five businesses to the growing body of businesses who receive our assistance on their growth path.”
The SCI VMS program pairs selected ventures with teams of experienced business mentors who provide ongoing guidance in areas such as business strategy, marketing, operations, finance, and scaling. The program is designed to help emerging businesses navigate critical growth phases while building sustainable foundations for long-term success.
Selected ventures participate in regular mentoring sessions, networking events, and educational workshops throughout their experience in the program. The mentoring teams consist of successful business leaders, industry experts, and seasoned entrepreneurs who volunteer their time and expertise to support the next generation of Pensacola businesses.
The Winter 2026 cohort will begin their mentoring activities immediately, and are eligible to remain in the program for as long as they are able to use its resources to their benefit. Applications for future cohorts will be announced later this year.
About Studer Community Institute Venture Mentoring Service
The Studer Community Institute Venture Mentoring Service (SCI VMS) connects emerging ventures with experienced business mentors to accelerate growth and success. The program provides strategic guidance, industry expertise, and valuable networking opportunities to help small businesses navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. SCI VMS is committed to supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in the greater Pensacola area.
For more information about SCI and its programs, visit www.studeri.org or contact Chris Heaney at cheaney@studeri.org or (850) 341-1346.
