Pejman Nozad

Pejman Nozad is the Founding Managing Partner of Pear VC, a venture capital firm he co-founded in 2013 alongside Mar Hershenson. Originally named Pejman Mar Ventures, the firm was rebranded to Pear VC three years later, emphasizing its mission to support founders in building successful companies. Pear VC focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in the pre-seed and seed stages, and has backed notable companies such as DoorDash, Gusto, and Guardant Health.14

Nozad's journey to becoming a venture capitalist is particularly unique. He immigrated to the United States from Iran with only $700, initially working as a rug dealer in Palo Alto. His experiences in this role helped him build a robust network within Silicon Valley, which he leveraged to transition into investing. He has been recognized as one of the most successful angel investors, with a portfolio that includes investments in companies like Dropbox and SoundHound.25

At Pear VC, Nozad emphasizes the importance of relationships and founder support, aiming to help startups find product-market fit and develop effective go-to-market strategies. His approach to venture capital reflects a commitment to nurturing exceptional founders and innovative ideas.34