Discover if this is a suitable investor for your startup. If they are we'll make a warm introduction for free. Otherwise, we'll connect you with matching investors.
Pear VC, originally founded as Pejman Mar Ventures in 2013 by Pejman Nozad and Mar Hershenson, is based in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on supporting early-stage startups, particularly in the pre-seed and seed stages, by providing capital and operational expertise. Pear VC has established itself as a significant player in the venture capital landscape, with a portfolio value exceeding $300 billion.
Currently, Pear VC manages a fund size of $300 million and has invested in 256 companies, including five unicorns and six IPOs. The firm operates both a venture fund and the PearX accelerator, which is designed to support pre-seed companies. Notable milestones include the successful exits of companies like DoorDash and Guardant Health, showcasing the firm's ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups.
Pear VC invests in early-stage companies across various sectors, including AI, biotech, climate tech, cybersecurity, devtools, fintech, healthcare, and SaaS. The firm typically invests between $250,000 and $6 million, with a sweet spot around $2 million. Their investment strategy is sector-agnostic but emphasizes deep expertise in AI/ML, enterprise software, healthcare, deep tech, and climate tech.
The firm targets pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, focusing on founders with exceptional potential. Pear VC's investment approach includes small batches of 20 companies per year, allowing for deep partnerships and hands-on support. The firm also provides follow-on investments up to $10 million, ensuring continued support for their portfolio companies as they grow.
Pear VC's portfolio consists of 256 companies, including notable successes and exits. The firm has invested in five unicorns:
Additionally, Pear VC has facilitated six IPOs, including:
Notable acquisitions from their portfolio include:
In the last 12 months, Pear VC has made 33 investments, with the latest being Polynomic in December 2025.
Pejman Nozad: Founding Managing Partner, previously at Pejman Mar Ventures, specializes in early-stage investments and has a strong network in Silicon Valley.
Mar Hershenson: Founding Managing Partner, has extensive experience in venture capital and technology, focusing on operational support for portfolio companies.
Ajay Kamat: Partner, known for his expertise in fintech and enterprise software investments.
Arash Afrakhteh: Partner, focuses on AI and deep tech sectors, bringing a strong technical background to the team.
Eddie Eltoukhy: Partner, specializes in healthcare investments and has a background in medical technology.
Harris Stolzenberg: Partner, focuses on consumer technology and SaaS investments.
Kathleen Estreich: Partner, brings expertise in marketing and operational strategy.
Khalil Fuller: Partner & Head of Dorm, focuses on supporting student entrepreneurs.
Jenny Thai: Head of Marketing, responsible for brand strategy and outreach.
Tom Glaser: CFO, manages financial operations and fund management.
To pitch Pear VC, startups should submit their applications through the Pear VC Application portal on their website. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and team. Pear VC typically responds within a few weeks, and they prefer warm introductions from mutual connections.
Pear VC runs several programs aimed at supporting founders, including:
These programs reflect Pear VC's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive startup ecosystem.
In December 2025, Pear VC made its latest investment in Polynomic. Over the past year, the firm has been active, completing 33 investments in 2025 alone. Pear VC has also shared insights through blog posts on startup funding strategies and announced the opening of applications for their PearX program, indicating ongoing engagement with the startup community.
Q? What are Pear VC's investment criteria?
A Pear VC invests in pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, focusing on exceptional founders across various sectors, with check sizes ranging from $250K to $6M.
Q? How can startups apply or pitch to Pear VC?
A Startups can apply through the Pear VC Application portal available on their website. They encourage detailed pitches that highlight the startup's potential and market fit.
Q? What makes Pear VC different from other venture capital firms?
A Pear VC emphasizes a hands-on partnership model, investing in small batches of 20 companies per year to provide deep operational support and mentorship.
Q? What is the geographic scope of Pear VC's investments?
A Pear VC primarily invests in startups located in the United States.
Q? What kind of post-investment involvement does Pear VC have?
A Pear VC provides operational support, including talent recruiting, fundraising mentorship, and go-to-market strategy guidance.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.