About Patrick Horsman.
Serial entrepreneur, investor, and the person behind Patrick Horsman Giving, driven by a single belief in the power of a quality education.
Patrick B. Horsman, through his life experience and career, believes in the power of a quality education. Patrick strives to instill excellence, discipline, vision, and a strong work ethic into future entrepreneurs through his scholarship program. His professional focus is uncovering niche, esoteric investments that hold a sustainable competitive advantage.
He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Octopus Investments, a Puerto Rico-based investment management platform that identifies, structures, provides seed capital, and builds alternative asset management businesses. In 2002 he co-founded Blue Sand Securities, a placement agent that has raised over $15 billion from institutional investors for alternative investment funds.
Patrick was also the COO and Co-Founder of Merion Investment Management, a litigation finance fund he launched in 2009 that reached peak assets under management of $1.2 billion. He is the Founder of Esoteric Strategies, a fund focused on niche, uncorrelated strategies, and a Co-Founder of Innovation Shares, a thematic ETF index sponsor whose listings included NYSE: KOIN, one of the first blockchain ETFs, and NYSE: THCX, one of the first cannabis ETFs. He co-founded Integrated Ag, a private equity fund focused on US farmland and water infrastructure.
Patrick's education story
PB Horsman credits much of his success to his early childhood, which started with a strong education and the support of his parents. Patrick grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, moved to Arizona in high school, and attended Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale. He went on to the University of Arizona, triple majoring in accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2002.
The importance of scholastic achievement
When asked about his success, and the success of those in his network, Patrick always starts by emphasizing the importance of a solid education. A four-year degree in business, entrepreneurship, finance, or a related major is, in his view, crucial for future business leaders. Although there are famous stories of entrepreneurs who skipped college, Patrick believes education is the foundation for lasting business success.
That conviction is why he offers the twice-annual $2,500 Patrick Horsman scholarship, and why he co-founded Paradiso College Preparatory, a tuition-free charter school network in Puerto Rico. He wants to help lead and grow the next generation of business leaders.