What is the application process?
Fill out a simple form-based application process here. We ask your information about the problem you’re solving, the TAM, your idea along with other basic details.
What’s the process after submitting the application?
By March 1st teams will be selected for 15-minute conversations.
Of those, some will then have a conversation with Mar or Pejman, the founders of Pear.
Of those, some will win.
All teams will get honest feedback.
Is my start-up idea too early? What stage of my journey should I be in?
If you have an idea you believe in, we want to hear from you. Our goal is to get to know you as you develop your idea – we want to help you find the highest-potential version of the opportunity you are exploring. You do not need to be incorporated to apply or have all the answers quite yet.
Should Founders who have already raised some venture funding apply to the competition?
Yes, you should still apply. We’d love to get to know you and provide funding for your idea.
What will I get if I win?
You will receive between $25K and $100K via a founder-friendly uncapped, no discount SAFE with a MFN clause. You will also be fast-tracked for up to $2M pre-seed investment and support via PearX, our pre-seed bootcamp.
What will I get if I don’t win?
Every team that applies will get concrete feedback on how to make their idea stronger. That will be the beginning of our conversation that we hope eventually leads to Pear leading your next round.
I’m afraid I will start my relationship with Pear VC on a bad note if I apply and don’t win.
At Pear, we expect that at this stage ideas evolve fast. The competition is a first look at your idea, not the final one.
Who can I talk to if I have any questions?
Please contact Pear Fellows (MBA2: Florian, Shaneez, Greg, Alexandra; MBA1: Srishti, Gaby Gonzalez, Chapman, Alex Wu) or Pear VC Partner / GSB Alum Ilian at ilian@pear.vc
What does a SAFE mean? How should I think about deal terms?
SAFE stands for “Simple Agreement for Future Equity.” It is an instrument for investing in startups widely adopted in Silicon Valley.
There are different types of SAFEs, and an uncapped, no discount, MFN SAFE is a very founder-friendly type. It means that the $100k you get now has no valuation attached to it. Instead, when in the future you raise a round, the SAFE assumes those future terms.
Put simply, you get money today at the future terms of your next round.