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.
For twelve weeks, founders in every PearX cohort build quietly, refining their product and pitch, and preparing for the moment they’ll share their vision more broadly. That moment is Demo Day: the culmination of the PearX experience and the most anticipated event on the Pear calendar. It’s where our founders step out of stealth to both a live and virtual audience and embark on their next chapter as a company.
Here’s a peek inside what goes into Demo Day and why it’s such an important milestone for our founders.
Preparing for Demo Day
Demo Days at Pear are the biggest event of the year and no detail is overlooked. The half day event is intentionally structured for companies and investors to get the most out of their time together. Our goal is to make it a must-see event for investors and a pivotal launchpad for our PearX cohort to secure funding.
Leading up to Demo Day, founders within each cohort, which are typically 20-25 companies, work tirelessly with a dedicated Pear Partner to craft their stories, find product-market fit, hire the right people, and prepare to launch their company to a public audience. This means feedback sessions and hands-on support to ensure everyone feels fully prepared.
Investors at Demo Day
We invite a curated list of GPs and Senior Partners to attend both virtually and in-person, that we believe align with our PearX cohort. 80% of our companies receive funding after Demo Day, and having the right people in the room makes that success possible.
“There are so many events in the community that can be great sources to find great companies. I’m very very selective with how I spend my time, and so I want to go to events that correlate most closely with me finding a great investment, and historically, that’s been the case here.” – Lottie Siniscalo, Emergence Capital
Run of Show
We’re continuously refining the structure of the event so that everyone from founders to investors gets the most out of the day. This includes gathering feedback and optimizing everything from the space, the time, the pitches, and the people. Here’s a sample of what happens at Demo Day.
- Investor Mingle: 60 minutes prior to the pitches, we set up a space for investors to connect. At our most recent demo day, this included a hands-on chocolate tempering experience from Dandelion Chocolates and signature Pear drinks such as “Product Matcha Fit.” We value our relationships with the rest of the investor community and are committed to creating space for everyone to connect.
- The Pitches: Each PearXcompany takes the stage to come out of stealth and share their pitch. This includes a slideshow and presentation that highlights their product market fit and company story. The teams are well prepared to provide the right amount of information for the investor audience.
- Follow-up: After the pitches, investors are given the opportunity to connect directly with founders. We’ve seen term sheets signed on the spot and verbal commitments made as founders step off the stage. Virtual participants can connect instantly with all companies via our Demo Day website, where every company profile, deck, and QR code link is available for direct introductions.
The PearX Difference
What makes PearX Demo Day unique is how intentional every detail is, similar to the entire accelerator. From the curated guest list to the small cohort size, everything is designed to ensure quality.
For our founders, Demo Day is the first time their company is unveiled publicly. It’s a powerful milestone that marks the transition from building quietly to fundraising confidently. After Demo Day, Pear partners continue to work closely with founders to ensure they’re prepared to field investor questions and secure investments. This is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of the next stage.