Pear VC

At the heart of Pear VC is a culture deeply rooted in the founder's journey. We began as Pejman Mar Ventures in 2013, founded by Pejman Nozad and Mar Hershenson, with a singular mission: to build a venture capital firm that genuinely and actively supports founders. Pejman, an angel investor, saw the immense potential in creating a firm where founder support was paramount. He partnered with Mar, and together they laid the foundation for what would become Pear VC three years later. The name 'Pear' itself is symbolic of our philosophy – pear trees are known for their longevity and strength, yet they require nurturing and the right conditions to flourish, much like startups. Our founders themselves embody resilience and diverse experiences. Pejman immigrated to the U.S. from Iran with very little and carved a unique path into venture capital, initially investing while working as a rug dealer. Mar, originally from Barcelona, brings a wealth of technical and operational expertise, holding a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford and having founded three companies herself.

Our core values emphasize a hands-on, empathetic approach. We understand that building something from nothing is an arduous journey, often marked by setbacks. Having navigated these challenges ourselves through founding over ten companies, our team is uniquely positioned to empathize with and guide entrepreneurs. We are not just investors; we are company builders. Our commitment extends beyond capital; we roll up our sleeves to help founders find product-market fit, craft go-to-market strategies, recruit crucial early hires, and navigate the complexities of fundraising. We pride ourselves on being there for our founders through thick and thin, offering support when challenges arise, be it an elusive product-market fit, a missed target, or team changes. We believe in 'active patience,' fostering an environment where learning and long-term vision take precedence over short-term pressures. This philosophy has enabled us to partner with exceptional founders from the earliest stages, often pre-seed and seed, to build category-defining companies. Our community is a cornerstone of our approach, exemplified by Pear Studio, a collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and connection among entrepreneurs. We are dedicated to identifying and nurturing exceptional talent, helping them transform great ideas into iconic, long-lasting companies.