Inside PearX is a series that gives a deeper look into our pre-seed accelerator. Interested in joining PearX? We just announced that we’ll be accepting late applications until October 8th at 11:59 PM PST. Apply now.
When I joined Pear as a Partner last summer, I was excited to spend my time working side by side with founders to help them shape their products, bring them to market, and build strong teams from the ground up. At Pear, that’s exactly what we do.
PearX, our twice-yearly program for pre-seed companies, is unlike any accelerator I’ve seen because partners aren’t just investors. We’re previous founders and operators turned long-term collaborators with PearX companies.
A Partner for Every PearX Company
At the start of PearX, each company is matched with one of our experienced investment partners as their point person. This dedicated partner is responsible for guiding the founders through the PearX program and ensures the team is prepared for each program milestone and ultimately Demo Day.
We meet weekly (usually more!), providing feedback on product direction, GTM strategy, hiring, or whatever else they need most at the time. This most recent batch, I worked with Polynomic, Geostar, and Keygraph. We talked about everything from product to GTM strategy and how to get early traction for each product.
At Pear we work collaboratively as a team, so founders get access not just to their main partner, but to the full Pear team. One partner leads, but every founder benefits from the collective expertise of all of us.
Kickoff at Camp Pear
We kick each PearX cohort off with Camp Pear, a three-day immersive experience where we dive into product and strategy with founders. This immersive experience sets the tone that we’re here to roll up our sleeves and work alongside you. Learn more about Camp Pear.
After Camp Pear, every PearX company gets free office space at Pear Studio, where we work hand in hand to solidify the foundation of their product and GTM strategy. From whiteboard sessions to feedback sessions, Pear partners guide teams toward Demo Day.
I work most closely with the 2-5 teams assigned to me; however, we have weekly group check-ins where all the teams come together to share their progress and get feedback from the whole cohort. We are collectively committed to the success of the entire cohort. In this most recent batch, one of the teams was struggling with their GTM strategy, so I set up a 1:1 meeting to help them figure out their messaging and strategy given the specifics of their market and customer base.
Prepping for Demo Day and Fundraising
As we get closer to Demo Day, I spend a lot of time helping founders refine their pitch and build their fundraising strategy. That includes creating investor lists, rehearsing presentations, and making warm introductions to the right VCs. Demo Day is a unique opportunity at PearX, where teams actually tell their story to both a live and virtual audience for the first time.
One program we’ve recently launched is an Emerging Manager First Look program. We introduce all PearX companies to a handful of collaborative funds to meet a week before demo day to get early commitments and feedback on their pitches so they are well prepared for the Demo Day with lead investors.
After Demo Day, the investment team continues to work with the teams to secure the best possible funding with the best possible partners. I do a lot of calls to provide references on what it’s been like working with the founders over the last three months, and given how closely we worked, can give very specific examples of where they spike. Learn more about how we approach fundraising at PearX.
Support Beyond PearX
What I love most about Pear is that our partnership with founders doesn’t stop at Demo Day. When we invest, they are a portfolio company for the duration of their life as a company. We continue to work with founders as they scale. I stay in touch with my companies well beyond the program, whether they’re hiring new team members, exploring new markets, making tough strategic decisions, or raising another round of funding. Pear partners are truly long-term partners. Just two weeks ago I attended a board meeting with a PearX W25 company, alongside their seed lead, as we discussed the strategy for their next phase of growth.
At Pear, we don’t just invest and check in occasionally. We show up, provide office space, problem-solve together, and we stay engaged for the long haul. Founders get one dedicated partner, but also the collective wisdom of the entire firm. That’s what makes PearX different, and it’s why I’m so proud to be a Pear partner.