Pear VC is a renowned venture capital firm known for its specialized focus on pre-seed and seed stage investments. Founded in 2013 by Pejman Nozad and Mar Hershenson, Pear VC has grown into a powerhouse in the startup ecosystem, helping turn early-stage ideas into market-leading companies. Noteworthy for backing iconic startups such as DoorDash before their launch, Pear VC’s commitment goes beyond funding—it offers hands-on mentorship and extensive support to founders during the critical early phases of company building. This article explores key facts about Pear VC’s origins, investment philosophy, impact, and more, offering an insightful look at one of Silicon Valley’s most influential early-stage investors.
Pear VC started life as Pejman Mar Ventures in 2013, named after its founders Pejman Nozad and Mar Hershenson. Both brought complementary expertise—Nozad’s background as an angel investor and Hershenson’s experience in engineering and entrepreneurship. They partnered with a vision to create a venture firm focused on supporting startup founders from the earliest beginnings. In 2016, Pejman Mar Ventures rebranded as Pear VC, a name symbolizing growth and nurturing, much like how pear trees require careful cultivation to bear fruit. This origin story set the foundation of a values-driven, founder-focused investment approach that Pear VC is known for today.
Pear VC specializes in identifying and backing companies at the pre-seed and seed stages—often when startups are just ideas or still shaping their product-market fit. This approach allows Pear VC to partner very early with founders, providing not just capital but strategic mentoring and operational guidance. The firm’s philosophy treats investing as partnering rather than a transactional process. This hands-on model has helped Pear VC support companies through vital early challenges, helping them transform into category-defining businesses with sustainable growth.
Pear VC has invested in over 230 companies spanning industries like software, biotech, climate tech, and consumer goods. Among their most notable early investments is DoorDash, the food delivery giant which received backing prior to its launch. Other standout companies include Guardant Health (cancer diagnostics), Gusto (payroll and HR software), Polarr (photo editing software), and Branch Metrics (deep linking platform). Pear’s portfolio boasts multiple unicorns and companies that have gone public, underscoring their knack for spotting high-potential startups early.
The leadership of Pear VC, primarily Pejman Nozad and Mar Hershenson, has been recognized widely in the venture community. Both have appeared on Forbes’ Midas List—Hershenson at number 29 and Nozad at 15 in 2021—which celebrates top tech investors. Their combined expertise enables Pear VC to operate with a strong culture focused on values, founder support, and long-term success rather than short-term financial gain. This leadership style is a cornerstone of Pear VC’s reputation and success.
In 2021, Pear VC launched PearX, an accelerator designed to provide startups with deep operational support, enabling access to a cloud and AI infrastructure partnership with Microsoft. PearX exemplifies Pear VC’s commitment to combining capital investment with active mentorship and technical resources, helping portfolio companies accelerate their product development and scale more rapidly. Pear VC’s partnership with Microsoft as the official cloud and AI provider further strengthens this initiative.
Pear VC is noted for its hands-on involvement with portfolio companies, going beyond just providing funds. The firm helps startups with hiring talent through in-house recruiters, introductions to industry experts, and facilitating connections across their vast network. For instance, Pear VC tracks more than 120,000 network contacts to deliver tailored support to founders. This deep, relational approach differentiates them in the crowded world of venture capital investing.
Pear VC has also positioned itself as a leader in emerging sectors such as climate technology and legal technology. They have invested in numerous early-stage climate startups, contributing to a portfolio valued at more than $5 billion. Simultaneously, Pear VC collaborates with institutions like Stanford and Harvard to back legal tech startups harnessing AI to improve contract management, research, and litigation processes. This forward-looking investment strategy aligns with current trends and global challenges.
Pear VC places importance on fostering diversity and creating inclusive startup ecosystems. Mar Hershenson, one of the founders, is a female venture capitalist highly regarded for championing women in tech and AI startups. The firm’s culture and outreach initiatives reflect a dedication to broadening access for underrepresented founders, recognizing that diverse teams drive innovation and outperform.
Pear VC has consistently raised sizable funds to fuel their investment strategy. Their fourth fund closed at $432 million, enabling them to maintain a high level of investment activity and expand their reach. Over the last decade, Pear VC has averaged around 12 new investments annually, with an uptick in volume in recent years. This financial heft gives them the ability to back startups aggressively at the earliest stages when risk is highest but potential impact greatest.
Looking ahead, Pear VC aims to continue its growth alongside the evolving startup landscape. Their focus on combining data-driven investing with personalized founder relationships is shaping their future strategy. Expansion into areas like AI infrastructure, climate solutions, and legal tech illustrates their adaptability and commitment to supporting transformative innovation. Pear VC’s ongoing efforts to nurture companies from the ground up leave them well positioned to back the next generation of category-defining companies.
Pear VC’s evolution from a small venture firm into a leading seed-stage powerhouse demonstrates the power of early, thoughtful support for startups. With a focus on partnership, mentorship, and deep networks, founders benefit from much more than capital. Their track record of successes, including investments in DoorDash and Guardant Health, reveals a firm that understands the complexities of early-stage company building. As technology and entrepreneurship continue to evolve, Pear VC’s values-driven, hands-on approach provides a compelling model for venture investing. How Pear VC shapes the startup ecosystems of tomorrow remains a story worth watching closely.