Pear VC

Pear VC is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, co-founded by Mar Hershenson and Pejman Nozad. The firm distinguishes itself through its highly hands-on approach, partnering with entrepreneurs from the pre-seed and seed stages to help build foundational companies. Pear VC is known for its deep engagement with founders, offering extensive operational support across critical areas such as recruiting, product-market fit validation, and subsequent fundraising efforts. Their philosophy centers on being a true partner in company building, often leading initial rounds and providing a robust network for their portfolio companies.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by identifying ambitious founders with bold ideas, even at their earliest conceptual stages. Pear VC operates a highly selective accelerator program, which serves as a key pipeline for their investments, providing structured guidance and mentorship. This intensive program helps nascent startups refine their vision, build initial products, and prepare for their first significant funding rounds. Their commitment extends beyond capital, aiming to provide the strategic and tactical support necessary for startups to navigate the challenging early phases of growth.

Pear VC typically issues first checks ranging from $500,000 to $3,000,000, reflecting their focus on providing substantial initial capital for early-stage development. The firm has demonstrated significant fundraising success, notably closing its fifth fund, Pear V, and an accompanying opportunity fund in March 2022, totaling $432 million. This substantial capital base enables Pear VC to support its portfolio companies through multiple funding rounds and maintain its commitment to long-term partnerships. Their impressive portfolio includes several well-known companies that have achieved unicorn status, such as Dropbox, DoorDash, and Gusto, underscoring their ability to identify and nurture category-defining businesses.