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Mar Hershenson is a Managing Partner and co-founder of Pear VC, a prominent pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm. She is also a successful serial entrepreneur with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
Mar Hershenson primarily invests in early-stage startups across various high-growth sectors. Her focus areas include artificial intelligence (AI), software-as-a-service (SaaS), fintech, healthcare, deep tech, and consumer applications.
Mar Hershenson works as a Managing Partner at Pear VC, a venture capital firm she co-founded. Pear VC is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and is known for its early-stage investments.
Mar Hershenson is the Founding Managing Partner at Pear VC, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California. Before transitioning to venture capital, she earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and co-founded three different technology startups, including Sabio Labs, which was acquired by Magma Design Automation. She holds 14 patents and previously served as the Vice President of Product at Magma Design Automation. At Pear VC, she recently led efforts to close a $432 million Fund IV and backed prominent portfolio companies such as DoorDash and Guardant Health. Recognized on the Forbes Midas List from 2021 to 2025, she also teaches entrepreneurship as a lecturer at Stanford University. Her current investment focus centers on pre-seed and seed-stage opportunities across artificial intelligence, enterprise software, deep tech, healthcare, and life sciences.
Mar Hershenson stands as a formidable figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a Managing Partner and co-founder of Pear VC. As a leading pre-seed and seed-stage firm, Pear VC, under Hershenson's guidance, has become synonymous with identifying and nurturing transformative startups from their very inception. Her unique blend of deep technical expertise, entrepreneurial grit, and a founder-first philosophy makes her an invaluable partner for early-stage companies aiming for significant impact.
At Pear VC, Mar Hershenson's investment focus is broad yet strategic, targeting sectors ripe for innovation and disruption. She actively seeks out visionary founders building companies in artificial intelligence (AI), software-as-a-service (SaaS), fintech, healthcare, deep tech, and consumer applications. Her investment thesis emphasizes not just the market potential but also the strength and resilience of the founding team. Hershenson is renowned for her hands-on approach, often working closely with founders on product market fit, team building, and strategic growth, embodying Pear VC's commitment to being "day zero" partners.
Hershenson's journey to venture capital is rooted in a distinguished career as a serial entrepreneur. Before co-founding Pear VC, she successfully launched and led three technology companies: Revel Touch, AccelChip, and Barcelona Design. This firsthand experience of building companies from the ground up, navigating challenges, and achieving exits, provides her with profound empathy and practical insights for the founders she backs. Her academic foundation is equally impressive, holding a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, which underpins her ability to understand and evaluate complex technological innovations.
Under Mar Hershenson's leadership, Pear VC has built an impressive portfolio of companies that have gone on to achieve significant milestones and market leadership. While Pear VC operates as a team, Hershenson's influence is evident in the firm's success. Notable companies that have emerged from Pear VC's early investments include industry giants like DoorDash, a leading food delivery service; Guardant Health, revolutionizing cancer diagnostics; Gusto, simplifying payroll and HR for businesses; Vanta, streamlining security compliance; and Aurora Solar, empowering solar installers. These investments highlight her keen eye for disruptive technologies and scalable business models.
Mar Hershenson's dedication extends beyond capital provision. She is a fervent advocate for fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, often sharing her knowledge and experience through mentorship and speaking engagements. Her commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators, combined with her strategic acumen, solidifies her reputation as a pivotal force in the venture capital world, continuously shaping the future of technology and business.
