Jeff Kearl

Jeff Kearl serves as a Managing Director at Pelion Ventures, a well-established venture capital firm with a strong focus on early-stage and growth-stage technology companies. Based in San Clemente, California, Kearl brings a unique blend of investment acumen and deep operational experience to his role. Prior to joining Pelion, he notably served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Stance, a highly successful consumer brand known for its socks and apparel. This background provides him with invaluable insights into brand building, consumer markets, and scaling businesses, which he leverages to support Pelion's portfolio companies.

Pelion Ventures primarily targets companies in their Series A and Series B funding rounds, often taking a lead or co-lead position. The firm's investment thesis spans a broad range of technology sectors, including enterprise software, SaaS, fintech, and consumer technology. Pelion is known for identifying disruptive innovations and backing strong management teams. Their typical first check size for investments ranges from $5 million to $25 million, reflecting their commitment to providing substantial capital for significant growth initiatives.

Kearl's operational experience, particularly from his tenure at Stance, makes him a valuable resource for founders navigating the challenges of scaling a business, market entry, and brand development. His insights are particularly beneficial for consumer-facing tech companies or those with strong brand components. Pelion Ventures has a long history of successful exits and has consistently raised substantial funds to support its investment strategy; for instance, their most recent fund, Pelion Ventures VII, closed at an impressive $360 million in 2022. This robust financial backing allows Pelion, and by extension Kearl, to make meaningful long-term commitments to their portfolio companies, fostering innovation and growth across diverse tech landscapes.