Pejman Nozad

Pejman Nozad is a highly respected and influential figure in the Silicon Valley venture capital landscape, best known as the Founding Managing Partner of Pear Ventures. His journey into venture capital is unconventional, beginning with his success as a rug dealer in Palo Alto, where he cultivated a network that led to his first angel investments. This unique background has shaped his hands-on, founder-first approach, distinguishing him from many traditional VCs. He co-founded Pear Ventures with Mar Hershenson, establishing a firm renowned for its early-stage focus and deep commitment to its portfolio companies.

Pear Ventures, under Nozad's leadership, primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups, aiming to identify exceptional founders with disruptive ideas before they gain widespread attention. The firm is sector-agnostic but has a strong track record in enterprise SaaS, consumer tech, fintech, and healthcare. Pear Ventures is known for its intensive support model, often working closely with founders on product-market fit, team building, and subsequent fundraising rounds. This active involvement is a hallmark of Nozad's investment philosophy, emphasizing mentorship and operational guidance.

Nozad's keen eye for talent and market potential has led to investments in some of Silicon Valley's most successful companies. His early belief in companies like Dropbox and DoorDash, where Pear Ventures was a seed investor, highlights his ability to spot transformative ventures at their nascent stages. Pear Ventures' portfolio boasts over 20 unicorns, a testament to their strategic early bets. Their investment in Gusto (formerly ZenPayroll) further exemplifies their success in identifying companies poised for significant growth and market disruption. Pear Ventures raised its fifth fund in 2022, totaling $432 million, reinforcing its capacity to continue backing promising startups.

Pejman Nozad has built a reputation as a founder-friendly investor who prioritizes long-term relationships and genuine support over transactional engagements. His ability to connect with entrepreneurs on a personal level, often leveraging his own immigrant journey and entrepreneurial spirit, has made him a sought-after partner for many aspiring founders. His legacy is defined by a portfolio of high-impact companies and a unique approach to venture capital that emphasizes intuition, trust, and hands-on guidance, making him a pivotal figure in the early-stage investment ecosystem.