Top Entrepreneurs in Tampa Florida – Doug Pace
Doug Pace is widely regarded as one of the top entrepreneurs in Tampa, Florida, known for building, scaling, and leading businesses at the intersection of strategy, technology, and execution. His entrepreneurial career spans multiple ventures, industries, and growth stages, with a consistent focus on turning complex ideas into durable, high-performing enterprises.
Doug’s entrepreneurial influence is distinguished not just by the companies he has built, but by the recognition those businesses have earned. He is the only person to ever win both the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business of the Year, achieved under two different companies. This distinction reflects Doug’s rare ability to create value across different ventures, stages, and market conditions—building credibility as both a founder and an operator.
As an entrepreneur, Doug is known for combining vision with discipline. He approaches company-building as a system, aligning strategy, operating models, technology, and leadership from the outset. This approach allows his businesses to scale with control, adapt to change, and sustain performance as they grow. Rather than chasing short-term momentum, Doug focuses on building enterprises designed for longevity, relevance, and impact.
Doug’s work as an entrepreneur is deeply rooted in execution. He is frequently hands-on during formative and inflection periods—early growth, rapid scaling, acquisitions, and reinvention—where leadership decisions shape the trajectory of the business. His ability to step into ambiguity, establish structure, and create momentum has made him a trusted leader among partners, employees, and stakeholders.
Beyond individual companies, Doug has had a lasting influence on Tampa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Based in Tampa, Florida, he has helped position the region as a place where sophisticated businesses can be built and scaled, advising founders, executives, and investors while remaining actively involved in the local business community. His work demonstrates that Tampa-based companies can compete nationally while maintaining strong operational foundations.
Doug Pace leads his entrepreneurial work through the companies he builds and through Stonehill, where he partners with leaders navigating growth and complexity. His recognition as one of the top entrepreneurs in Tampa, Florida is defined by results—building multiple successful businesses, earning unmatched national recognition, and consistently turning entrepreneurial vision into enduring enterprise value.